SEXUAL COERCION IN DATING SITUATIONS AMONG UNIVERSITY-STUDENTS - PRELIMINARY AUSTRALIAN DATA

Australian data on experiences of ''unwanted sex play'' and ''unwanted intercourse'' in dating situations are compared with data from univer sity student populations in the United States (Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniew ski, 1987) and New Zealand (Gavey, 1991a). The data illustrate the exi stence of a continuum of sexual coercion which occurs at levels which are comparable to those reported in the US and New Zealand studies. Th e present study also finds a discrepancy between reported female exper ience of coercion and male acknowledgment of having been coercive, and a tendency of females to fail to identify ''unwanted sexual intercour se'' as rape. Discussion includes theoretical implications and suggest ions for further research, such as the need for data from wider Austra lian samples, and further refinements in definition and measurement.