Experiences Of Sexual Coercion Research Articles

An examination of sexual coercion experiences among Latinx female college students

ABSTRACT The current study examined sexual coercion among Latinx female college students in New York City. It identified frequently reported sexual coercion tactics and disclosure behaviours, delineating these experiences by race and cultural values. Latinx women (N = 158) from several public colleges were surveyed, and 49.4% (n = 78) experienced sexual coercion – with most reporting helplessness tactics (39.2%; n = 62). No differences were found among race, although this sample of Black Latinx students endorsed coercion more often than non-Black students. Most participants sought informal support, and specifically disclosed to a female friend (82.9%, n = 34). Lastly, attitudes toward familism and religiosity did not affect disclosure in this sample. These findings highlight the nuances of young Latinx women’s sexual experiences and have implications for sexual violence education for Latinx youth. It also has implications for college mental health professionals working with Latinx students with histories of sexual coercion. PRACTICE IMPACT STATEMENT Due to the nature of negative sexual experiences experienced among youth, sexual education curriculum and prevention training in educational institutions must emphasise the importance of sexual consent and identifying appropriate and inappropriate sexual advances. Curriculum must be tailored towards the demographics and respective potential cultural contexts of school district populations. College mental health professionals should be properly trained on how sexual coercion manifests in college-age relationships in addition to current training on identifying sexual harassment, sexual assault, and alcohol/drug induced rape.

Factors Associated with Transgender and Gender Diverse People's Experience of Sexual Coercion, and Help-Seeking and Wellbeing Among Victims/Survivors: Results of the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey.

Purpose: Our study examined factors associated with transgender and gender diverse ("trans") people's experience of sexual coercion, as well as the factors associated with help-seeking and wellbeing among victims/survivors. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the first Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey, conducted in 2018. Logistic regressions were undertaken to identify factors associated with sexual coercion, help-seeking, and wellbeing. Results: Of the sample of 1448 participants, 53.4% had been sexually coerced, which was associated with older age, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, nonbinary gender, being presumed female gender at birth, currently living publicly some or all the time as their affirmed gender, having regular sex, and use of drugs to enhance or alter sexual experiences. Protective factors included having a higher income and access to gender affirming care. Help-seeking was reported among 49.5% of victims/survivors and was associated with having more trans friends. Wellbeing among victims/survivors was associated with being older, residing in regional/remote areas, having higher levels of education and annual income, being presumed female gender at birth, having stronger satisfaction with one's sex life, and good health care access. Wellbeing was not associated with help-seeking. Conclusion: Sexual coercion was prevalent among participants, but help-seeking behavior was low. Protective factors identified underscore the importance of socioeconomic supports, access to health and gender affirming care, and peers. Accessible peer-led and culturally safe preventive and trauma-focused supports should also be considered for trans people who experience sexual coercion.

“Too weak to fight, too scared to scream”: Understanding experiences of sexual coercion of Black female adolescents through digital storytelling

Black female adolescents are less frequently viewed as victims of violence or as agents of resistance. This study analyzed the experiences of sexual coercion of Black female adolescents on the South Side of Chicago through narrative scripts used to create digital stories. Using Sexual Script Theory and applying an intersectional lens, we analyzed a collection of 46 narrative transcripts from Black female youth, living on the South Side of Chicago, five of which specifically focused on the theme of sexual coercion. Under the broader theme of sexual coercion, the following subthemes were identified: (1) broken expectations of romance, (2) sex as a means of seeking attention from a male partner, (3) sex as a means of maintaining a partner, and (4) rape. By better understanding the social context of relationships for Black adolescent girls in heterosexual relationships, we may be able to better design sexual and reproductive health interventions for young women of color.

Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Victimization among Gay and Bisexual Men: A Preliminary Study in Spain.

Sexual violence is an understudied issue in the population of gay and bisexual men, although the existing articles to date demonstrate that it is a problem that merits public attention. This study aims to approach the problem of invisibility around the matter, as well as presenting a number of variables that have been usually overlooked in Spanish research or have not been assessed at all. Lifetime sexual victimization, sociodemographic characteristics, situational characteristics and social support were examined among 550 gay and bisexual males living in Spain using a self-administrated questionnaire. Results analysis show that 90.00% (87.18-92.38%) of participants reported at least one experience of unwanted insinuation, 87.27% (84.19-89.94%) reported at least one experience of sexual coercion, 64.00% (59.83-68.02%) reported at least one experience of sexual assault, and specifically 19.82% (16.57-23.40%) reported being raped during their lifetime. Significant differences have been found between some categories regarding gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race/ethnicity and educational level. Overall, these results showcase sexual violence as a pervasive problem in the Spanish gay and bisexual community.

(049) Blue Balls: Fact or Fiction? Experiences of Genitopelvic Pain and Sexual Coercion Among People with Penises and Vulvas

Abstract Introduction The term “blue balls”, formally known as epididymal hypertension, is often used in public discourse to describe scrotal pain following sexual arousal that did not result in orgasm. Even though many health-related and popular online sources feature information on its potential causes and treatments, only one interview-based study and one case report exist on this phenomenon in the scientific literature. Controversy exists around the factual nature of blue balls/vulva considering its use for sexual coercion. Objective This cross-sectional, mixed-methods, online study aimed to characterize and evaluate the experience and prevalence of discomfort/pain following sexual arousal without orgasm, and assess whether individuals have been pressured to continue sexual activity because of a partner’s fears of experiencing discomfort/pain without orgasm. Methods A total of 2621 individuals with a penis (N = 1483) or vagina (N = 1138) were recruited for an online survey on the experience of “blue balls/vulva”. Analyses included descriptive statistics, between-group chi-squared analyses, and thematic analysis on several open-ended questions. Results Results from a chi-square test of independence suggested significantly more individuals with a penis than a vagina reported believing blue balls are real, and significantly more individuals with a vagina than a penis reported being pressured into engaging sexually because of a partner’s fear of getting blue balls. Descriptive statistics indicated that for the individuals who disclosed experiencing blue balls/vulva, the experience of pain/discomfort is reportedly mild, with few participants rating the experience as severe. Thematic analysis results indicated that overall, participants felt people with vulvas are expected to engage in sexual acts to prevent their partner’s experience of blue balls despite endorsing that it shouldn’t be used as a sexual coercion tactic. Conclusions Despite public discourse that “blue balls” is extremely painful and common, this study suggests that severe pain exists in a minority of people, that solitary sexual and nonsexual activities can alleviate discomfort/pain, and that pain experiences are not a valid reason to pressure others into engaging sexually. Disclosure No

(076) History of Sexual Coercion, PGAD Symptoms, and Sexual Function: Evidence for a Mediational Model

Abstract Introduction Past research on Persistent Genital Arousal Disorder (PGAD) has shown that a history of sexual abuse is common among women with PGAD (Leiblum et al., 2007; Pink et al., 2014), with higher rates of abuse among those who are most symptomatic (Leiblum et al., 2007). However, there is a need for replication and for developing a theoretical understanding of the mechanisms and developmental course of this association. Moreover, although little is known about the relation between PGAD symptoms and sexual functioning (Jackowich et al., 2016) research has suggested that women with PGAD show FSFI scores that are low but within the normal range (Leiblum & Seehuus, 2009), and that those with subthreshold PGAD symptoms associate those symptoms with positive feelings. Objective The goal of the present study was to test a mediational model in which history of sexual coercion is directly associated with PGAD symptoms, and indirectly associated with sexual functioning (desire, masturbation, lubrication), with mediational effects passing through PGAD symptoms. Methods A sample of n = 138 female university students completed questionnaires measuring past experience of sexual coercion, PGAD symptoms, sexual desire, masturbation, and lubrication. Structural equation modeling was used to test a theoretical model in which a history of sexual coercion was allowed to directly predict PGAD symptoms and all three sexual function constructs, and PGAD symptoms were allowed to predict all sexual function constructs (see Figure 1). Results The SEM model fit the data well (CFI = .96; NFI = .92; RMSEA = .07). As presented in Figure 1, past experience of sexual coercion was positively associated with PGAD symptoms and negatively associated with sexual desire, but had no direct association with masturbation or lubrication. PGAD symptoms were associated with increased desire and masturbation, but decreased lubrication, and sexual desire was positively associated with lubrication. In addition to the directs effects on PGAD symptoms and sexual desire, past experience of sexual coercion also demonstrated indirect effects on all sexual function constructs (positive effects on desire and masturbation, and negative on lubrication). Conclusions Based on these results we propose a developmental model in which the effects of PGAD symptoms on desire, arousal, and pleasure, change across time and symptom severity. Specifically, increased attention to genital and sexual sensations is expected to result from past sexual coercion. Then, in the context of this heightened genital awareness, when persistent non-painful genital stimulation is perceived, in the early stages of PGAD symptom development, the combination of those sensations and the heightened attention to them is expected to result in perceived pleasurable sensation and arousal, thus increasing desire and masturbation. This is expected to be limited to the early stages of PGAD development, whereas, during later stages, when PGAD symptoms are severe and unrelenting, this is expected to change (see Figure 2). The overall level of PGAD symptoms in this sample was low (consistent with other non-clinical samples; Jackowich & Pukall, 2020), and thus these results cannot be generalized to women who live with a diagnosis of PGAD. Disclosure No

Investigating pathways for predisposing, enabling and need factors in predicting the use of STI/HIV-testing services among Syrian and Iraqi migrants in Scania, Sweden – a cross-sectional study with directed acyclic graphs for modelling pathways to testing

BackgroundSome groups of migrants have increased vulnerability to Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission partly due to a lower uptake of disease preventive activities targeting the general population in receiving country. Limited access to economic and social resources and poor language skills may exacerbate exposure to sexual risks and utilization of health services.AimTo explore general and migrant specific predictors for STI/HIV-testing among Syrian and Iraqi migrants in Sweden and to investigate potential pathways that link predisposing, enabling and need- factors to STI/HIV-testing.MethodCross-sectional study design based on a migration specific framework for health care utilization. Directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) were used to model assumptions about factors associated with the uptake of STI/HIV-testing services. Bi-variable and multivariable logistic regression analyses assessed individual predictors while adjusting for covariates. The magnitude of the indirect effect of mediating variables were estimated with bootstrap analyses and a method for decomposing the total effect.ResultThe pathways between younger age, unmarried, and self-identifying as bi- or homosexual and testing were mainly indirect, mediated by experiences of sexual coercion and other risk behaviours. One third of the indirect mediating effect of the pathway between higher education and testing could be attributed to Swedish language skills.ConclusionUtilization of STI/HIV-testing services among Syrian and Iraqi migrants seemed to be motivated by sexual risk exposure and risk awareness. Interventions should focus on language-adapted information about available screening services and where to go for advice on sexual wellbeing and sexual rights. Such activities should be implemented within an integration promoting framework, addressing structures that increase STI/HIV risk exposure, specifically targeting vulnerable subgroups of migrants.

Coercive Sexual Experiences that Include Orgasm Predict Negative Psychological, Relationship, and Sexual Outcomes.

Psychological sexual coercion is known to negatively impact those who experience it, yet sexual encounters where orgasm is present are often presumed to be positive and absent of coercion. In the present study, we conducted an online survey with women (n = 179) and men (n = 251) to test associations between sexually coercive experiences that include orgasm and negative psychological, sexual, and relationship outcomes. To do so, we focused on three experiences: having an orgasm during coerced sex (CS), having a coerced orgasm during desired sex (CO), and having a coerced orgasm during coerced sex (COS). Using structural equation modeling, we found that ever having any of these coercion-plus-orgasm experiences with a current partner predicted significantly higher avoidance motivations (i.e., engaging in sex to avoid conflict with one's partner), which in turn predicted significantly worse psychological distress, sexual satisfaction, relationship satisfaction, and sexual functioning (but not dyadic sexual desire). We also found that CS, CO, and COS predicted negative outcomes to a similar degree. However, testing gender/sex as a moderator clarified that CS predicted significantly lower sexual satisfaction, sexual functioning, and sexual desire for women but not men. Furthermore, CO predicted faking orgasms in women, but COS predicted faking orgasms in men. Together, results demonstrate that experiencing psychological sexual coercion and/or orgasm coercion is significantly associated with negative outcomes even if the coerced person's orgasm occurs.

Risk of poor mental health and experience of violence among a young adult population with same-sex sexuality: a cross-sectional study in southern Sweden

ObjectivesTo assess prevalence and correlates of same-sex sexuality and its relationship to poor mental health and experiences of violence among youth and young adults in Sweden. A secondary aim was...

Gendered Acquiescence and Resistance(s) to Coercive Sexual Practices Among Female Students at a Zimbabwean University

High rates of sexual coercion among female students in institutions of higher education are a global concern. Although this phenomenon is universal, female university students’ experiences and reactions to coercive sexual practices vary greatly due to differences in geo-socio-cultural milieus in universities. This study investigated the extent to which female students acquiesced or resisted gendered codes of sexual conduct during experiences of sexual coercion. Using mixed methodology, the study drew on the narratives of 341 female students and three key informants from a Zimbabwean university. The study’s findings revealed that female students showed significant levels of acquiescence to gendered sexual norms and coercive sexual practices. This suggests that normative sexual practices embedded in university cultures subordinate women’s sexuality, resulting in their vulnerability and acquiescence to coercive sexual practices. However, despite being positioned in a restrictive context which worked to instill and reproduce gendered norms of sexuality and acquiescence to coercive sexual practices, some female students demonstrated significant levels of “constrained” sexual agency, power and subjectivity. These students enacted embodied resistances and (re)negotiated gendered norms of sexuality in the form of negotiations, antagonistic reactions and (re)construction of dominant sexual practices and norms. Therefore, the study concludes that, while female university students conform to dominant sexual practices and norms, they also have the capacity to challenge them and actively resist and manage their experiences of sexual coercion

A Rose by Any Other Name: Unacknowledged Sexual Coercion among Latinx Undergraduates

ABSTRACT Sexual victimization is associated with adverse health outcomes. Research on the health impact of survivors’ acknowledgment of their victimization has found mixed results. The experiences of ethnic minority individuals in this area are under-researched. We collected data across two time points from a sample of Latinx undergraduate students (N = 81, Mage = 18.02, 80% women). We used mixed methods to examine participants’ experiences of unacknowledged sexual coercion, acknowledged sexual coercion, and associated impacts on their health. We found three themes including pressure to engage in sexual activity associated with the “girlfriend” role, verbal coercion by repeated asking, and alcohol-mediated sexual violence at parties. Mental health decreased following victimization. Self-rated health decreased for acknowledged survivors. Among Latinx undergraduate survivors of sexual violence, acknowledging sexual violence may negatively impact perceptions of global health. These survivors also report distinct patterns of victimization that should be further researched to inform prevention efforts.

“You’re Gay, It’s Just What Happens”: Sexual Minority Men Recounting Experiences of Unwanted Sex in the Era of MeToo

ABSTRACT Our grounded theory analysis derives from in-depth interviews conducted with 24 gay, bisexual, queer, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) living in Toronto, Canada, to understand their experiences of sexual coercion. Participants drew on discourse from the #MeToo movement to reconsider the ethics of past sexual experiences. The idea that gay or queer sex is inherently risky and unique from heterosexual relations made negotiating sexual safety challenging. These notions were enforced by homophobic discourses on the one hand, and counter discourses of sexual liberation, resistance to heteronormativity, hegemonic masculinity, and HIV prevention on the other. Biomedical advances in HIV prevention such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and undetectable viral load affected how some participants felt about sexual autonomy and safety. Participants held themselves responsible for needing to be more assertive within sexual encounters to avoid coercion. Many believed that unwanted sex is unavoidable among GBM: if “you’re gay, it’s just what happens.” Targeted education aimed at GBM communities that incorporates insights on GBM sexual subcultures is necessary. This work must be situated within a broader understanding of how gender norms and hegemonic masculinity, racism, HIV status, and other power imbalances affect sexual decision-making, consent, pleasure, and sexual harm.

Women's Experience of Sexual Coercion and Reactions to Intimate Partner Sexual Violence.

Sexual coercion is one of the most subtle manifestations of gender-based violence and may profoundly affect victims' sexuality. This research analyzed the association of previous experiences of sexual coercion by an intimate partner (intimate partner sexual coercion [IPSC]) with women's reactions and responses to a scenario of sexual violence. Female college undergraduates (N = 207) completed a computer task in which they watched a video about a couple that ended in a woman having unwanted sex with her male partner. Participants answered several questions about tolerance (risk recognition, risk response, delays in behavioral response, and probability of leaving the relationship). They also responded about their level of commitment to their current partner, as well as their previous experience of sexual coercion. Results showed no differences between victims and nonvictims on the time they took to perceive the situation of sexual violence as threatening (risk recognition). However, victims of current sexual coercion took more time deciding to leave the abusive situation of the video (risk response), required a greater time lag between risk recognition and risk response, and they would be less likely to leave the relationship than victims of past sexual coercion and nonvictims. Finally, commitment predicted later risk recognition and risk response only for victims of past sexual coercion. Overall, the results suggested that previous sexual coercion by an intimate partner and being committed to the relationship may be risk factors associated with the increase of women's tolerance toward situations involving the risk of sexual victimization.

Is My Sex Life Ok? The Mediating Role of Sexual Anxiety in the Association between Childhood Sexual Abuse and Sexual Coercion against Women

ABSTRACT Empirical studies suggest that childhood sexual abuse is associated with sexual revictimization by a male romantic partner in female survivors. Yet, the potential mechanisms underlying this association remain understudied. Past studies indicated that women childhood sexual abuse survivors report more sexual anxiety, which in turn was linked to an increased risk of sustaining sexual coercion. The current study, conducted with a sample of 448 adult women from the community, aimed to examine sexual anxiety as a potential mechanism in the association between childhood sexual abuse and sexual coercion sustained by women in heterosexual romantic relationships. Results from path analyses confirmed the indirect effect of sexual anxiety in the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and sexual coercion victimization. Findings indicated that childhood sexual abuse is associated with higher levels of sexual anxiety, which in turn, was linked to a higher frequency of sexual coercion experiences perpetrated by the romantic partner. This study contributes to a better understanding of the determinants of sexual violence against women and provides an empirical basis to better inform prevention initiatives and guide future interventions.

Factors associated with first heterosexual sex; sexual coercion and sexual risk behaviors among adolescents in Botswana

Although early sexual debut is highly prevalent in Botswana, its link to sexual risk practices has not been explored at the national level. The aim of this paper was to investigate the association between age-at-first-sex, experience of sexual coercion and subsequent sexual practices. We used data derived from the 2013 Botswana AIDS Impact Survey (BAISIV)—a fourth and latest in a number of nationally representative, population-based surveys meant to measure the sociodemographic and other effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Botswana. A sample of 3796 adolescents in ages 10–24 years who had successfully completed BAISIV individual questionnaire were selected and included for analysis. Data was analyzed using descriptive and multivariate statistical methods. All comparisons were considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Mean age at first sex for the sampled adolescents was 17.9 years. Using binary logistic regression analysis, results indicate that females (AOR1.16, CI = 1.08–1.63), adolescents who did not belong to any religious affiliation (AOR = 1.71, CI = 1.03–2.86) and those who started sexual activity earlier (AOR = 1.53, CI = 1.02–2.56) were more likely to report to have experienced sexual coercion. Moreover, the odds of reporting multiple sexual partnerships were significantly high among adolescents who started sexual activity earlier (AOR = 1.71, CI = 1.03–2.86) and those who resided in cities/towns (AOR = 1.61, CI = 1.08–2.38). There is need for adolescent HIV policies and programs to address circumstances around young people’s initiation into sexual intercourse, as well as the psychosocial, and cultural norms pertaining to initiation of sex.

Bisexual Women’s Experiences of Stigma and Verbal Sexual Coercion: The Roles of Internalized Heterosexism and Outness

In the current study, we examined how bisexual women’s unique experiences of sexual identity stigma might elevate their risk for verbal sexual coercion. Online survey data were collected from 350 self-identified bisexual women. Hayes PROCESS macro was used to test moderated-mediation and mediation analyses. Results indicated that anti-bisexual experiences (from both heterosexual and lesbian/gay individuals) were associated with greater internalized heterosexism (i.e., internalization of negative societal attitudes and stereotypes about one’s minority sexual orientation), which in turn was associated with increased odds of experiencing verbal sexual coercion. We did not find moderating effects of outness, such that internalized heterosexism mediated the relation between anti-bisexual experiences and verbal sexual coercion regardless of bisexual women’s levels of outness. Findings suggest that anti-bisexual experiences and internalized heterosexism are associated with bisexual women’s elevated risk for experiencing verbal sexual coercion. There is a need for targeted sexual violence prevention and risk reduction efforts that take into account the unique experiences and vulnerabilities of bisexual women in victimization risk. Results also highlight the need for campaigns that reduce sexual orientation-related stigma at the population level in order to prevent negative health outcomes among bisexual women.

Willingness to use PrEP among female university students in Lesotho.

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV-negative individuals at high risk was introduced in Lesotho in April 2016. To assess the feasibility and acceptability of PrEP in Lesotho and to study the attitudes and beliefs around HIV risk and prevention measures among young women, between September and December 2016 we asked 302 female university students at fourteen higher education institutions in Lesotho about their sexual behavior, experiences of sexual coercion and abuse, HIV risk perception, willingness to use PrEP, as well as their attitudes toward condom use and self-administration of daily medications. Overall, 57.3% of the sample reported perceiving themselves at risk of acquiring HIV and 32.1% reported being strongly willing to use PrEP if it were available in their community. In a multivariate mediation analysis, perceived HIV risk was associated with 11.5 percentage points increase in likelihood of using PrEP (p = 0.041). Multiple concurrent sexual partnership was associated with 16.1 percentage points increase in likelihood of self-perceived HIV risk (p = 0.007), while having sexual partners in polygamous relationships was associated with 17.8 percentage points increase in likelihood of self-perceived HIV risk (p = 0.002) and the mediated indirect effect accounted for 18.2% of its total effect. Those who reported strong adherence to antibiotics were 23.1 percentage points more likely to express willingness to use PrEP than those who did not (p = 0.004), and those who reported to dislike condoms were 19.1 percentage points more likely to be willing to use PrEP than those who did not report aversion to condom use: these effect were direct and not mediated by HIV risk perception. Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the network of peers was also directly associated with willingness to use PrEP and its effect was not significantly mediated by HIV risk perception: those who had friends who experienced intimate partner violence were 14.9 percentage points more likely to be willing to use PrEP than those who did not report IPV in their network of peers (p = 0.009). These findings support the inclusion of individuals with multiple concurrent sexual partners among the key populations for PrEP provision and confirm that willingness to use PrEP is not solely driven by HIV risk perception. They also indicate that the presence of IPV in peer networks is related to one’s willingness to use PrEP. PrEP service provision may generate synergies with IPV prevention programs when offered within this framework.

Normative and negative sexual experiences of transgender identifying adolescents in the community.

Background:Sexuality is a major facet of development during adolescence. Apace with normal sexual development, sexual experiences become more common and intimate. Recent research reports mixed results as to whether this is the case among transgender identifying adolescents. Recent research also suggests that trans youth experience negative sexual experiences (such as dating violence and sexual harassment) more often than their cisgender identifying peers. However, most studies have had clinical or selected samples.Objective:The aim of this study is to compare the normative as well as negative sexual experiences of trans youth with their cisgender peers in the general population.Method:Our study included 1386 pupils of the ninth year of comprehensive school in Finland, mean age (SD) 15.59 (0.41) years. We compared sexual experiences, sexual harassment and dating violence among trans youth and their cisgender identifying peers. Distributions of the outcome variables were calculated among the whole sample and by sex. Next, multivariate associations were studied using logistic regression adjusting for age, sex, honesty of responding and depression. Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) are given.Results:After adjusting for age, sex, honesty of responding and ultimately for depression, normative sexual experiences of trans youth did not differ systematically from those of the mainstream, cisgender identifying youth. After adjusting for sex, age and honesty, transgender youth had increased Odds Ratios for experiences of sexual coercion and dating violence perpetration. In the final models however, no statistically significant differences were detected in the negative sexual experiences between transgender and cisgender youth.Conclusions:Transgender identifying adolescents presented neither with delayed nor with excessively advanced sexual experiences. However, transgender youth seem to be more susceptible to subjection to sexual coercion and, unexpectedly, dating violence perpetration than their cisgender peers. However, these associations may in fact relate more closely to depression, a prevalent phenomenon among trans youth, than transgender identity itself.

Pressure and Persuasion: Young Fijian Women's Experiences of Sexual and Reproductive Coercion in Romantic Relationships.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a violation of women's human rights and dramatically increases women's vulnerability to sexual and reproductive health morbidities. This article examines young iTaukei (Indigenous Fijian) women's experiences of, and responses to, nonphysical forms of coercion in romantic relationships. It draws on ethnographic research with young unmarried women attending university in Suva, Fiji. Young women disclosed experiencing a continuum of coercive behaviors, including verbal pressure, deception, and manipulation by male partners to initiate sexual intercourse, unprotected sex, and unsafe abortions. Findings indicate an urgent need to address IPV within premarital relationships in Fiji to promote young women's sexual and reproductive health and autonomy.

Weekly Drinking and Binge Drinking Mediate the Association Between Drinking Location and Sexual Coercion.

It has been well documented that alcohol use is a risk factor for sexual assault. However, few studies have examined how alcohol use is associated with sexual coercion experiences. Furthermore, off-campus parties and bars are drinking locations where alcohol use is high among college students. It is important to determine other risk factors, such as the drinking location, that may affect alcohol use and sexual coercion. The current study examined whether alcohol use (drinks per week and binge drinking) mediated the association between drinking location frequency (off-campus party and bar/restaurant) and experiencing sexual coercion in the past 30 days. Participants were N = 295 young adult (Mage = 21.17 years, SD = 2.70) undergraduate women who reported drinking at least once in the past 30 days and completed an online survey. Results revealed that 88 (29.8%) participants experienced sexual coercion in the past 30 days. Participants who experienced sexual coercion in the past 30 days reported greater drinks per week, were more likely to binge drink, and reported drinking more frequently at off-campus parties than those who had not experienced sexual coercion. Drinks per week significantly mediated the relationship between drinking location frequency (off-campus party and bar/restaurant) and sexual coercion. Specifically, more frequent drinking at off-campus parties and bars/restaurants was associated with greater drinks per week, which in turn was related to experiencing sexual coercion in the past 30 days. Binge drinking significantly mediated the association between frequency of drinking at a bar/restaurant and sexual coercion, but not off-campus drinking frequency. Findings suggest that college student alcohol interventions that target harm reduction should consider including information about how the drinking location may intersect with alcohol use to increase risk for sexual coercion.