Perceptions of Sexual Assault - Data that Covers Undergraduates

May 26, 2022

Question:
A student is looking to see if there are any datasets about rape myths or perceptions surrounding sexual assault held within Canadian Society. There is particular interest in data that covers undergraduates. 

Answer:
I believe the best source of information for your client would be the 2019 Survey on Individual Safety in the Postsecondary Student Population (SISPSP).

From this initiative there have been a number of analytical pieces published.  Specifically:

• Educational participation and attainment of lesbian, gay and bisexual people in Canada (statcan.gc.ca)
• Experiences of unwanted sexualized and discriminatory behaviours and sexual assault among students at Canadian military colleges, 2019 (statcan.gc.ca)
• Students' experiences of discrimination based on gender, gender identity or sexual orientation at postsecondary schools in the Canadian provinces, 2019 (statcan.gc.ca)
• Students’ experiences of unwanted sexualized behaviours and sexual assault at postsecondary schools in the Canadian provinces, 2019 (statcan.gc.ca)
• The Daily — One in ten women students sexually assaulted in a postsecondary setting (statcan.gc.ca)

If ever you would like to conduct your own analyses with the data then you may submit a proposal to access the master data file via Research Data Centres (statcan.gc.ca).