I have 13 years of experience designing and conducting mixed-method research, including managing:
- 10 multi-year projects to advance understanding of sexual and intimate partner violence and its prevention
- 9 participatory and community-engaged projects on various social justice issues in which I collaborated with 10 community partners to foster positive community change
Recent Projects
Examining Gender Differences in Sexual Violence Experiences
Dr. Charlene Senn and I examined gender differences in sexual violence victimization and perpetration experiences and the validity of victimization and perpetration reports made on Koss et al.’s (2007) Sexual Experiences Survey (SES). We found (Study 1) that men’s perpetration was generally more frequent and severe than women’s, that women often hadn’t intended to pressure their partner or obtain the sexual activity, and that women sometimes mistakenly report victimization experiences on perpetration items. We also found (Study 2) that women’s victimization was generally more frequent and severe than men’s and more often part of a partner’s ongoing sexual violence or coercive control. Our findings highlighted that quantitative measurement can mask important differences in women and men’s sexual violence experiences. Although we found some participant confusion around the SES items and identified possible false positive and false negative reports, we maintain that the SES remains one of the best available scales.
Article on the Need to Move Beyond Consent in Sex Education and Advocacy
In this review article, I argue for the need to move beyond consent and to centre values of care, empathy, co-determination, and communication in sex education and sexual justice politics. I show that consent is not enough for promoting ethical sex or preventing sexual violence. Specifically, I use my own and others’ research to show that consent is too low of a standard for ethical sex and does not address (or disrupt) the context in which sex, sexual communication, and sexual violence take place. I also highlight the importance of social norms and gender transformative approaches to sexual violence prevention. (article cited in SIECCAN‘s guidelines for integrating effective gender-based violence prevention in sex education)
Evaluation of the Staff Training for a Sexual Assault Resistance Program
In collaboration with Dr. Charlene Senn and others, I led the analysis and writing of an evaluation of the training for staff at 5 Canadian universities implementing and delivering a sexual assault resistance program (Flip the Script with EAAA™). (part of Senn’s Implementation Trial funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health)
™ Trademark of the SARE Centre
Random Sample Survey on Campus Sexual Violence
In collaboration with Drs. Charlene Senn, Anne Forrest, and Michelle Krieger, I conducted a large random sample study at a Canadian university to assess rates of sexual violence victimization and perpetration. This is only the second Canadian campus random sample study since the 1990s. We also compared these results with sexual violence rates obtained from a census-sampled campus climate survey. Most campus climate surveys have used census sampling (a type of nonprobability, convenience sampling), whereby the entire student population is invited to participate. Census sampling has a number of advantages for campus climate surveys (e.g., inclusive and cost-effective) but may over- or under-estimate the scope of campus sexual violence due to nonresponse bias. By comparing the sexual violence rates obtained from census-sampled and randomly sampled surveys, we assessed the accuracy and representativeness of commonly used census-sampled campus climate surveys. We found no evidence that census-sampled campus climate surveys might misestimate sexual violence victimization or perpetration rates: our census-sampled survey produced very similar rates as our randomly-sampled survey. (research undertaken thanks to funding to Senn from the Canada Research Chairs Program and the University of Windsor)
Assessment of Recruitment Ads for a Sexual Assault Resistance Program
In collaboration with Dr. Charlene Senn and Ms. Emma Bailey, I examined the poster messages and images that undergraduate women find most interesting and motivating to register for the Flip the Script with EAAA™ sexual assault resistance program (or others like it). In general, we found that there was high interest in and perceived relevance of this type of programming for university women. Certain design and message characteristics and supplementary information led to even higher registration intent. For example, participants found posters with empowering and relatable messages and eye-catching designs particularly appealing. They were generally more interested in attending Flip the Script with EAAA™ when they learned that: it is offered on their campus, it is free of charge, it teaches participants how to resist sexual assault, and refreshments and a certificate of completion are provided.
™ Trademark of the SARE Centre
Multi-Study Examination of Men’s Sexual Violence Against Intimate Partners
In this award-winning project, I conducted three studies and answered two key questions relating to university men’s intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV): (a) what does IPSV look like? and (b) how do men socially construct and support IPSV? In the first study, I used a survey with 441 Canadian university men to examine incidence rates of different types of IPSV, contextual features of IPSV incidents, and perpetrators’ perceptions of the effects of their IPSV. I found that IPSV was common: 16% reported using IPSV at least once in their most recent heterosexual relationship in the past year. In the second study, I used interviews with a subset of 10 men from the survey study who had perpetrated IPSV. In the third study, I used focus groups with 29 heterosexual university men in which they discussed sex between romantic partners. In the latter two studies, I used discourse theory and analysis, which are useful for examining the language and shared societal norms that people use in talk. I found that men and perpetrators relied on traditional societal norms about sexual violence and heterosexuality. These norms allowed men to justify and minimize their own and other men’s IPSV and frame it as normal and expected. These norms also work on a societal level to perpetuate sexual violence and men’s dominance. (research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada)
PhotoVoice Study about Women’s Campus Safety
I led a team of researchers in the Research Facility for Women’s Health and Wellbeing (University of Guelph). We used a participatory action research method (PhotoVoice) to examine university women’s perceptions and experiences of safety around campus sexual violence. Seven first-year female-identified university students took photos that represented their experiences and perceptions of safety on campus and participated in two focus group workshops. Women’s perceptions of safety were highly reflective of broader cultural norms and discourses. This study has direct application for improving women’s campus safety. Results were shared with students and campus policy makers through presentations and a zine, and others through an edited book chapter. The research team also created an online toolkit meant to support researchers and educators through the stages of PhotoVoice projects. The contents may also be useful for researchers, educators, and social justice advocates working in the area of violence against women and/or women’s safety.
Examination of Women’s Experiences of Sexual Violence in Intimate Relationships
In this award-winning project, I interviewed 12 university women and examined their subjective experiences of being verbally pressured and physically forced into sexual activity by a male romantic partner. I found that “words hurt”; physical violence did not need to be present for these experiences to be harmful as many women experienced guilt, anger, sadness, and self-blame. Many saw their partners’ behaviour as selfish and controlling, but others made light of it in ways that are consistent with cultural norms that justify sexual violence and frame it as normal and expected within heterosexual relationships. Further, even when the women made light of their partners’ behaviour, these experiences often still had negative consequences for themselves and their relationships. (research supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada)
Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Experiences with Subsidized Housing
In collaboration with Dr. Paula Barata, I led the analysis and writing of a study looking at women’s experiences using priority subsidized housing programs for those fleeing intimate partner violence. Interviews with 10 women highlighted that subsidized housing programs, although very important, can impede women’s efforts to safely escape abuse. Many of the women saw subsidized housing programs as stigmatizing, difficult to access and qualify for, and controlling.