Sexual Literacy as a Protective Factor Against Sexual Harassment: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study [Accepted]

Nila Widya Keswara, Bayu Budi Laksono, Rani Safitri, Rosyidah Alfitri

Abstract


Background: Sexual harassment among adolescents remains a critical global issue, particularly within educational settings. While sexual literacy is often promoted as a primary defense, the translation of knowledge into protective behavior remains under-researched. This study aims to analyze the correlation between sexual literacy, the incidence of sexual abuse, and prevention efforts among health science students through the lens of Social Learning Theory. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in November 2024 at the Dr. Soepraoen Army Hospital Institute of Technology, Health, and Science, Malang, Indonesia. A total of 88 nursing and midwifery students were recruited using consecutive sampling. Data were collected via a validated online questionnaire covering sexual literacy, abuse experiences, and preventive actions. Statistical analyses included the Fisher Exact test for categorical associations and Spearman’s rank correlation for behavioral trends. Results: The majority of respondents (92%) demonstrated high sexual literacy; however, 20.5% reported experiencing sexual abuse. Bivariate analysis revealed no significant relationship between sexual literacy levels and the incidence of sexual abuse ($p = 0.337$). Conversely, a statistically significant, albeit modest, positive correlation was found between sexual literacy and prevention efforts ($r = 0.240$; $p = 0.024$). Despite high literacy, 58% of respondents did not implement active preventive measures, indicating a gap between knowledge and practice. Conclusion: High sexual literacy significantly influences the propensity to adopt preventive measures but does not directly reduce the risk of victimization. These findings suggest that individual knowledge is insufficient without systemic support. Comprehensive strategies must integrate psychosocial empowerment, self-efficacy, and institutional policies to bridge the gap between sexual awareness and effective protective behavior.

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