Sexual Violence Victimization of Women

Abstract Background The study aimed at measuring the prevalence and identifying the risk factors of intimate partner violence in individuals from the LGBT community. Methods A total of 180 individuals participated in the study, both male and female, aged 18-60 years, living in the broader area of Athens, Greece. Snowball sampling was applied to identify eligible individuals and social media were employed to recruit them. The questionnaire explored the violence victimization and perpetration in their relationships, the preferred reaction to various forms of violence and the role of childhood victimization in adulthood experiences of violence. Results 72.8% were homosexual, 26.7% bisexual, 81.7 % were women with a mean age of 25.2 years (6.0 standard deviation). A total of 67.2% were subjected to verbal abuse before the age of 16, 49.4% to physical violence, 6.7% to sexual violence and 46.7% were neglected. The prevalence of violence victimization was higher than the prevalence of violence perpetration (mean 9.81 and 5.92 respectively). Psychological violence was the most common among other forms of violence, both in victimization (psychological 7.34, physical 1.66, sexual 0.81) and perpetration (psychological 4.48, physical 1.26, sexual 0.18). In hypothetical scenarios of psychological violence, the majority of participants preferred separation and discussion about boundaries as strategies to deal with the situation (56.1 and 45.0 respectively), in scenarios of physical violence they primarily preferred separation and secondarily asking a professional advice (73.3 and 20.6, respectively) and in sexual violence they primarily preferred a discussion about boundaries and secondarily separation (69.4% and 31.7% respectively). Experiences of childhood victimization (p=.006), and female gender (p=.002), were found to be associated at a statistically significant level with violent victimization in adulthood. Conclusions Further research is necessary to identify groups at risk of victimization. Key messages Preventive efforts need to take into account individual sociodemographic and attitudinal characteristics that increase the risk of victimization. Experiences of victimization during childhood are highly associated with victimization in adulthood.

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The biobehavioral impacts of sexual violence: Findings from an acute repeat survivor of vaginal rape

Women s Health ◽

10.1177/17455065211031079 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

pp. 174550652110310

Author(s):

Katherine M Anderson ◽

Mimi Ghosh ◽

Maile Y Karris ◽

Eleanor Capozzi ◽

Douglas A Granger ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Sexual Trauma ◽

Study Participant ◽

Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽

Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Adrenal Axis ◽

Immune Biomarkers ◽

Pituitary Adrenal Axis

Background: Individuals who have experienced repeat sexual violence victimization face adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including immune and stress response functioning. We aim to further understand repeat sexual violence victimization to develop responsive and appropriate treatment for survivors of sexual violence. Methods: We present the immunological and contextual findings of a participant ( N = 1) who experienced repeat sexual violence victimization during her enrollment in The THRIVE Study, a prospective case–control study of women aged 14–45 years, who have experienced recent consensual vaginal penetration (“controls”) or forced vaginal penetration (“cases”). Participants complete a survey, HIV/sexually transmitted infection, and pregnancy testing, blood sampling for C-reactive protein and adrenocorticotrophic hormone, collection of cervicovaginal fluid for immunological biomarkers, and self-collection of saliva samples for cortisol measurements, across study visits (Baseline, 1, and 3 months). Results: The case study participant, aged 18 years upon enrollment, experienced sexual trauma before four of five study visits. Trends in the mental health indicators demonstrate reciprocal fluctuations in adverse mental health and resilience in accordance with revictimization and circumstantial changes. Suppressed immune biomarkers appear to correlate with increased adverse mental health, while mental health recovery trends with immunological recovery. The participant presents with dysregulated hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis diurnal profile. Conclusions: This profile illustrates the intra-individual biobehavioral impact of experience with revictimization over the course of 6 months, capturing experiences that are rarely studied either longitudinally or with the depth of the current research. The findings underscore the value of monitoring cervicovaginal immune functioning and hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis dysregulation in coordination with changes in mental health over the course of repeated sexual trauma.

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Victim and Perpetrator Characteristics in Alcohol/Drug-Involved Sexual Violence Victimization in the U.S

Drug and Alcohol Dependence ◽

10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108839 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 108839

Author(s):

Kathleen C. Basile ◽

Sharon G. Smith ◽

Yang Liu ◽

Ashley Lowe ◽

Amanda K. Gilmore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

The U.S

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Increased Likelihood of Forced Sexual Intercourse, Sexual Violence, and Sexual Dating Violence Victimization Among Sexual Minority Youth

Journal of Community Health ◽

10.1007/s10900-021-01033-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Ronald D. Williams ◽

Analise Gutierrez

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Sexual Intercourse ◽

Dating Violence ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Minority Youth ◽

Sexual Minority Youth ◽

Violence Victimization

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Comparing Factors Shaping Sexual Violence Perpetration for Sexual and Gender Minority Youth and Cisgender Heterosexual Youth

Journal of Interpersonal Violence ◽

10.1177/08862605211021998 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 088626052110219

Author(s):

Ronita Nath ◽

Michele Ybarra ◽

Margaret MacAulay ◽

Koby Oppenheim ◽

Lauren Jackson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Prevention Education ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Normative Expectations ◽

Qualitative Descriptive ◽

Descriptive Approach ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender ◽

Heterosexual Youth

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience higher rates of sexual violence victimization than their cisgender heterosexual counterparts. Very little is known about how the minority status of SGM youth contextualizes their victimization and perpetration experiences. In one-on-one interviews with 39 SGM youth and 11 cisgender heterosexuals (non-SGM) youth, we compared the contextual factors shaping sexual violence victimization and perpetration between the two groups using a qualitative descriptive approach. Interviews highlighted how SGM youth continue to experience extensive discrimination that negatively impacts all aspects of their lives, while non-SGM youth do not discuss having to navigate stigma and discrimination in their lives. SGM youth pointed to a lack of understanding of sexual violence within the SGM community. Both groups believed that SGM perpetration was unlikely: while most SGM and non-SGM youth agreed that sexual violence between youth was a problem, same-gender perpetration was seldom discussed. Unlike their non-SGM counterparts, SGM youth felt that they were targeted because of their sexual and gender identity. SGM youth also felt that they were more vulnerable to sexual violence because of how they physically looked, particularly if their gender expression did not match cis-normative expectations. SGM youth reported facing unique pressures when seeking support as a victim, particularly a fear of being outed or stigmatized as part of the process. They also conveyed that SGM people worried about being treated unfairly if they reported sexual violence to authorities. Findings suggest that stigma and concerns of discrimination are unique aspects of sexual violence for SGM compared to non-SGM youth. All youth need to have access to sexual violence prevention education that includes SGM and non-SGM youth as both victims and perpetrators to begin addressing these noted disparities in experiences.

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Associations of physical partner violence and sexual violence victimization on health risk behaviours and mental health among university students from 25 countries

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-09064-y ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Supa Pengpid ◽

Karl Peltzer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

University Students ◽

Health Risk ◽

Sexual Violence ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Risk Behaviours ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Health Risk Behaviours

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Sexual Violence Perpetration Within Intimate Relationships: An I3 Model Analysis of the Effects of Sexual Violence Victimization and Psychological Flexibility

Sexual Abuse ◽

10.1177/1079063219877176 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 107906321987717

Author(s):

Jessica L. Grom ◽

Cory Crane ◽

Ruschelle M. Leone ◽

Dominic J. Parrott ◽

Christopher Eckhardt

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Intimate Relationships ◽

Partner Violence ◽

Psychological Flexibility ◽

Relative Strength ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Inhibiting Effect ◽

Complex Interactions ◽

Ipv Perpetration ◽

Low Levels

The I3 Model posits that intimate partner violence (IPV) is determined by the relative strength of instigatory, impellance, and inhibitory factors. Although much research has examined nonsexual IPV, few studies have used the I3 Model to examine sexual IPV. This study investigated the effects of sexual IPV victimization (an impellor) and psychological flexibility (an inhibitor) on sexual IPV perpetration within a dyadic framework. Participants nested within 617 intimate couples completed measures of psychological flexibility and sexual IPV perpetration and victimization. Results showed that Actor IPV victimization was positively and Actor psychological flexibility was negatively associated with Actor IPV perpetration. Among those who experienced low levels of IPV victimization, psychological flexibility inhibited IPV perpetration. This inhibiting effect did not extend to Actors who experienced high levels of IPV victimization. Findings highlight the complex interactions between I3 factors and support continued dyadic examination of IPV perpetration etiology.

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How Does Timing Affect Trauma Treatment for Women Who Are Incarcerated? An Empirical Analysis

Criminal Justice and Behavior ◽

10.1177/0093854820903071 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 47 (6) ◽

pp. 631-648

Author(s):

Ana J. Bridges ◽

Danielle E. Baker ◽

Lauren E. Hurd ◽

Kaitlyn D. Chamberlain ◽

Morgan A. Hill ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sexual Violence ◽

Group Treatment ◽

Internalizing Symptoms ◽

Self Report ◽

Trauma Treatment ◽

Violence Victimization ◽

Posttraumatic Symptoms ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Before And After ◽

Dependent Sample

Most women who are incarcerated have experienced sexual violence; difficulties adjusting to prison could interfere with women’s ability to benefit from trauma-focused therapy. Here, we explored whether therapeutic benefits of trauma treatment varied as a function of time since incarceration. Women ( N = 128) participated in an 8-week group treatment for sexual violence victimization while incarcerated in a community corrections center for nonviolent offenses. Ninety participants consented to the study and completed self-report questionnaires assessing internalizing symptoms (depression, posttraumatic stress, and shame) before and after treatment. Bivariate correlations revealed a significant negative association between time since incarceration and pretreatment depression but not posttraumatic symptoms or shame. Dependent-sample t tests revealed significant improvements from pretreatment to posttreatment in internalizing symptoms. Longer time since incarceration did not significantly predict internalizing symptoms after controlling for pretreatment symptom severity. Findings suggest trauma-focused treatments can be offered to women shortly after they are incarcerated.

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