Journal of Psychology & Psychotherapy
Open Access

Abstract

Date Rape: Prevalence and Attitudes among Portuguese University Students

Henrique Pereira and Mariana Ornelas Graca

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of date rape among Portuguese students as well as to assess their attitudes towards this phenomenon and explore differences between genders.

Methods: A sample of 1013 (697 women and 316 men) University Students, from Portuguese Universities, answered the College Date Rape Attitudes Survey (a 17-item questionnaire). The prevalence of date rape in this sample was also measured with a questionnaire, assessing if the participants had ever been victims or perpetrators.

Results: The results showed that in general there are high levels of disagreement regarding Date rape, which indicates that attitudes towards this type of violence are very negative. Nevertheless, statistically significant differences between sexes were found (p<0,001) which indicates that men have lower levels of disagreement when compared with women. The prevalence of date rape in this sample was 4.3% and majority of victims were females (87%).

Conclusion: Attitudes towards Date rape among Portuguese University Students are very negative. The prevalence of date rape in this study is significantly lower when compared to other countries. This may be related with the fact that in Portugal the Students are not confined to a restricted study area (College Campuses).