History Of Sexual Victimization Research Articles

The influence of personality and history of sexual victimization in the prediction of juvenile perpetrated child molestation.

Structural equation modeling was used to delineate the relationship between sexual victimization and personality variables in the prediction of patterns of child molestation in adolescent males. Two hundred thirty-five adolescents, representing subsamples of sexually victimized and nonvictimized, perpetrating and nonperpetrating, and emotionally maladjusted and nonmaladjusted youths, participated in the study. Juvenile child molesters were found to have more pessimistic explanatory styles and deficits in self-sufficiency relative to nonoffending youths. A younger age at time of victimization, a greater number of incidents, a longer period of waiting to report the abuse, and a lower level of perceived family support postrevelation of the abuse were found to be predictive of subsequent sexual perpetration. Implications for treatment are discussed.

Sexual victimization and clinical challenges in women receiving hospital treatment for depression.

The study examined the prevalence of sexual victimization among 60 female inpatients and outpatients with depression. Sixty-five percent of the sample reported previous sexual violation in either childhood or adolescence/adulthood. Of these, 52% indicated that they had been victimized both in childhood and adolescence/adulthood. Based on the history of sexual victimization, participants were allocated to one of three groups. Body satisfaction, global self-esteem, and internality were progressively lower from Group 1 (no history), to Group 2 (childhood or adolescent/adult victimization), to Group 3 (both childhood and adolescent/adult victimization). Body satisfaction was further shown to be independently affected by sexual violation.

From child victim to adult victim: a model for predicting sexual revictimization.

Women with histories of child sexual abuse (N = 221) participated in a study designed to test a model for predicting adult/adolescent sexual revictimization and post-assault functioning. Participants completed anonymous questionnaires regarding their sexual victimization history, post-sexual assault symptoms and attributions, and consensual sexual behavior. Repeated victimization was defined as having experienced child sexual abuse and a separate incident of adolescent/adult victimization. Repeated victimization was associated with having experienced child sexual abuse involving physical contact, including intercourse and/or penetration. Women with repeated victimization engaged in more self-blame, reported higher levels of post-traumatic symptoms, and reported more high-risk sexual behavior. A path model was developed that indicated that the relationship between revictimization and child sexual abuse was mediated by self-blame, post-traumatic symptoms, and consensual sexual activity. The results suggest the need for further research on revictimization as well as suggesting areas for intervention to prevent sexual revictimization.

A Longitudinal Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Sexual Assault Education Program

The purpose of the present investigation was to empirically evaluate the effectiveness of a sexual assault education program. Participants in this study included 224 college women who were randomly assigned to either the treatment group or the control group. Early in the academic year, all women were assessed with respect to history of sexual victimization and general knowledge about sexual assault. At the time of the initial session, women in the treatment group also participated in a 1-hour sexual assault education program. Women in the control group did not participate in the program. At the end of the academic year, participants in both groups returned for a 7-month follow-up session and were assessed for knowledge about sexual assault and experience of sexual victimization during the follow-up period. Although the program was successful in increasing knowledge about sexual assault, it was not successful in reducing the incidence of sexual assault.

Special women, special needs: A descriptive study of female special hospital patients

All 87 women patients who were detained in Broadmoor Hospital during the first 6 months of 1994 are described in terms of their demographic and offence characteristics, their behaviours prior to and during admission, their diagnostic categories and treatment needs. Histories of sexual victimization and physical abuse were present in a substantial number of the population. Acts of self-harm represented a more significant management problem (present in 94% of women) than aggression towards others. The most common behaviours leading to admission were assault (71.3%) and arson (47.1%), although 23% of the women had not been convicted of any offence. The findings are discussed with reference to the need to develop within secure settings psychotherapeutic approaches that reflect the complexity of these women's lives as well as the multiple levels of trauma most have experienced.

The molecular target of antidepressants: J. Perez 1, S. Mori 2, D. Tardito 3, R. Zanardi 1, E. Smeraldi 1, M. Popoli 2, G. Racagni 2,3. 1Istituto Scientifico H. San Raffaele, Dep. of Neuropsychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Milan; 2Center of Neuropharmacology, University of Milan; 3I.R.C.C.S. Centro San Giovanni di Dio-Fratebenefratelli, Brescia, Italy

Adolescents and young adults are four times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than women in all other age groups. In the vast majority of these cases, the perpetrator is an acquaintance of the victim. Date rape is a subset of acquaintance rape where nonconsensual sex occurs between two people who are in a romantic relationship.We conducted a MEDLINE and Current Concepts search for articles relating to date rape and then systematically reviewed all relevant articles.Lifetime prevalence of date or acquaintance rape ranges from 13% to 27% among college-age women and 20% to a high of 68% among adolescents. Demographic characteristics that increase vulnerability to date rape include younger age at first date, early sexual activity, earlier age of menarche, a past history of sexual abuse or prior sexual victimization, and being more accepting of rape myths and violence toward women. Other risk factors include date-specific behaviors such as who initiated, who paid expenses, who drove, date location and activity, as well as the use of alcohol or illicit drugs such a flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Alcohol use that occurs within the context of the date can lead to: the misinterpretation of friendly cues as sexual invitations, diminished coping responses, and the female's inability to ward off a potential attack.Longitudinal research designs are needed to further our understanding of sexual violence among adolescents and young adults and the most effective ways to eliminate it. Understanding and comparing research findings would be easier if consensus regarding the definitions of date rape, sexual aggression, and sexual assault was obtained. Finally, primary and secondary date and acquaintance rape prevention programs must be developed and systematically evaluated.

Repeated Sexual Victimization and Mental Disorders in Women

ABSTRACT The relationship between mental disorders and sexual victimization is well documented in the literature; however, which characteristics of the victimization experience actually produce this increased risk is not well understood. The present study explored the role of repeated sexual victimization in producing increased risk for mental disorders, relative to adult-only or child-only sexual victimization. Ninety-two females completed questionnaires including trauma history and sexual victimization history. Diagnostic interviews were completed to assess for mental disorders. PTSD was the only mental disorder which was found to differentiate between women with repeated victimization versus child-only or adult-only sexual assault. The results were limited by small sample size, but suggest the need to consider adult revictimization as a contributing factor to PTSD related to child sexual abuse.

The Association Between the Perception of Threat in a Dating Situation and Sexual Victimization

The purpose of the present investigation was to assess the relation between threat perception in a dating situation and sexual victimization. During an initial session, participants in the experimental condition (n = 116) viewed a video that depicts a heterosexual couple interacting on a date and reflects risk factors for sexual assault. Participants in the control condition (n = 108) viewed a video that does not contain such risk factors. Participants in each condition also responded to survey instruments assessing demographic variables, history of child sexual abuse, history of adolescent sexual assault, and perception of threat cues in the stimulus videos. A subset of participants (n = 66) returned for a 5-month follow-up session and was assessed for experience of sexual assault during the follow-up period. Results fail to support an association between threat perception and sexual victimization history or an association between threat perception and sexual victimization during the follow-up period.

Date Rape Among Adolescents and Young Adults

BackgroundAdolescents and young adults are four times more likely to be victims of sexual assault than women in all other age groups. In the vast majority of these cases, the perpetrator is an acquaintance of the victim. Date rape is a subset of acquaintance rape where nonconsensual sex occurs between two people who are in a romantic relationship. MethodsWe conducted a MEDLINE and Current Concepts search for articles relating to date rape and then systematically reviewed all relevant articles. ResultsLifetime prevalence of date or acquaintance rape ranges from 13% to 27% among college-age women and 20% to a high of 68% among adolescents. Demographic characteristics that increase vulnerability to date rape include younger age at first date, early sexual activity, earlier age of menarche, a past history of sexual abuse or prior sexual victimization, and being more accepting of rape myths and violence toward women. Other risk factors include date-specific behaviors such as who initiated, who paid expenses, who drove, date location and activity, as well as the use of alcohol or illicit drugs such a flunitrazepam (Rohypnol). Alcohol use that occurs within the context of the date can lead to: the misinterpretation of friendly cues as sexual invitations, diminished coping responses, and the female's inability to ward off a potential attack. ConclusionsLongitudinal research designs are needed to further our understanding of sexual violence among adolescents and young adults and the most effective ways to eliminate it. Understanding and comparing research findings would be easier if consensus regarding the definitions of date rape, sexual aggression, and sexual assault was obtained. Finally, primary and secondary date and acquaintance rape prevention programs must be developed and systematically evaluated.

An Empirical Evaluation of a Program Designed to Reduce the Risk of Multiple Sexual Victimization

The purpose of this investigation was to design and empirically evaluate a program designed to reduce women's risk of multiple sexual victimization. Participants in this study were 406 college women. At the beginning of the academic quarter, participants responded to survey instruments assessing history of sexual assault, dating behaviors, sexual communication, and knowledge about sexual assault. After responding to survey instruments, women in the treatment group participated in the program. Women in the control group did not participate in the program. Participants returned at the end of the academic quarter and responded to survey instruments again. Results suggest that the program was ineffective in reducing the incidence of sexual assault among participants. In addition, the program did not significantly affect dating behaviors, sexual communication, or knowledge about sexual assault. Furthermore, the ineffectiveness of the program in these areas did not appear to be related to participants' histories of sexual victimization.

Sexual victimization in adolescent girls (age 15–20 years) enrolled in post‐mandatory schools or professional training programmes in Switzerland

An analysis of data from the Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health was conducted to assess the prevalence of a history of sexual victimization among a national sample of adolescent girls enrolled in schools or professional training, to estimate the number of associated psychosocial health problems, and to gain information on the effects of disclosure of the experience. A representative sample of 9268 adolescents answered a written questionnaire on health and lifestyle. Of the 3993 participating girls, 18.6% reported an experience of sexual victimization. The burden of associated psychosocial health problems was considerable, notably as regards depression, suicidal behaviour and substance misuse. Preliminary findings on the relation of disclosure and mechanisms of learned helplessness stress the need for more research on this issue. The results stress the importance of prevention programmes for adolescents and preadolescents, of physicians' awareness and training for screening and appropriate counselling, and of easy access to professional support.

To Tell or Not to Tell: Current Functioning of Child Sexual abuse Survivors who Disclosed their Victimization

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of childhood disclosure on current mental health functioning of female survivors of child sexual abuse and to identify characteristics of abuse that were associated with disclosure. Two hundred and four women with a history of child sexual abuse completed questionnaires describing sexual victimization history, circumstances of childhood disclosures, and measures of current symptoms. Disclosure was not directly related to overall current functioning; however, disclosure was associated with fewer intrusive and avoidant symptoms. Disclosure tended to be less common with more severe levels of assault and when the assailant was related to the victim. The results suggest that disclosure may be beneficial in preventing the development of specific post-traumatic symptoms; however, disclosure was found to be least common for the types of assaults that produced the greatest psychological distress.

Sexual victimization in adolescent girls (age 15-20 years) enrolled in post-mandatory schools or professional training programmes in Switzerland.

An analysis of data from the Swiss Multicenter Adolescent Survey on Health was conducted to assess the prevalence of a history of sexual victimization among a national sample of adolescent girls enrolled in schools or professional training, to estimate the number of associated psychosocial health problems, and to gain information on the effects of disclosure of the experience. A representative sample of 9268 adolescents answered a written questionnaire on health and lifestyle. Of the 3993 participating girls, 18.6% reported an experience of sexual victimization. The burden of associated psychosocial health problems was considerable, notably as regards depression, suicidal behaviour and substance misuse. Preliminary findings on the relation of disclosure and mechanisms of learned helplessness stress the need for more research on this issue. The results stress the importance of prevention programmes for adolescents and preadolescents, of physicians' awareness and training for screening and appropriate counselling, and of easy access to professional support.

The Challenge Project: A treatment program evaluation for perpetrators of child sexual abuse

Objective: Research on treatment outcome for sex offenders has been poorly designed, with biased sampling, lack of controls, and a failure to define treatment programs, subjects, and outcome measures. This research aimed to compare group and individual treatment outcomes, with particular reference to program compliance and reoffending. Method: The Challenge Project assessed all 80 convicted perpetrators of child sexual abuse in S. E. London over a 2-year period, and followed them up 1 and 2 years later. The 43 perpetrators who were diverted into the community program received weekly standardized cognitive-behavioral treatment over a 1-year period. Subjects were matched on key variables and entered either group or individual therapy. Results: Some treatment effects could be demonstrated in both group and individual therapy, particularly if individual changes in test scores were examined. Two variables were significantly associated with poor treatment compliance: A history of sexual and/or violent offending, and a history of childhood sexual victimization. However, only one subject had been convicted of a further sexual offense—possession of child pornography—at follow-up. Conclusion: The findings may support professionals in deciding how best to allocate scarce resources; and it is intended to extend the outcome study to at least a 5-year follow-up period, to see whether compliance and shifts in psychological measures are a valid predictor of outcome.

Psychosocial factors in fibromyalgia compared with rheumatoid arthritis: II. Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect.

Two recent reports have found associations between fibromyalgia and sexual victimization, but had methodologic characteristics that limited their interpretation. We compared 36 patients with fibromyalgia and 33 patients with rheumatoid arthritis by using structured interviews for sexual, physical, and emotional victimization histories, as well as dimensional self-report measures of victimization severity. Compared with the patients with rheumatoid arthritis, those with fibromyalgia had significantly higher lifetime prevalence rates of all forms of victimization, both adult and childhood, as well as combinations of adult and childhood trauma. Although childhood maltreatment was found to be a general risk factor for fibromyalgia, particular forms of maltreatment (eg, sexual abuse per se) did not have specific effects. Experiences of physical assault in adulthood, however, showed a strong and specific relationship with unexplained pain. Trauma severity was correlated significantly with measures of physical disability, psychiatric distress, illness adjustment, personality, and quality of sleep in patients with fibromyalgia but not in those with rheumatoid arthritis. Fibromyalgia seems to be associated with increased risk of victimization, particularly adult physical abuse. Sexual, physical, and emotional trauma may be important factors in the development and maintenance of this disorder and its associated disability in many patients.

Discriminant validity of the TSC-40 in an outpatient setting

This study examines the discriminant validity of the Trauma Symptom Checklist (TSC-40) in a clinical sample. The TSC-40 was developed as a research instrument for assessing the impact of a history of sexual victimization. Previous validity studies used nonclinical samples of women (Elliott & Briere, 1992; Gold, Milan, Myall, & Johnson, 1994). In the present study, the TSC-40 was administered to 103 men and 79 women requesting services at two outpatient clinics. Information about sexual victimization was collected from the client during intake and from the therapist after the client had received 6 months of therapy. A history of CSA was associated both with high symptom levels across symptom dimensions, and, specifically, with elevation on the trauma subscale of the TSC-40. The findings support the view that, in a clinical setting, CSA is associated both with generalized distress and with PTSD symptoms.

Interpersonal violence: expanding the search for long-term sequelae within a sample of battered women.

Lifetime sexual and physical victimization histories were examined within a shelter and outpatient sample of battered women (N = 43). Rates of prior victimization were very high with 71% of women reporting a childhood experience of physical abuse and 53% of women reporting a childhood experience of sexual abuse. These experiences were then examined as predictors of intra- and interpersonal functioning. Difficulties with identity development, low self-worth, borderline personality characteristics, and (at the trend level) difficulties with intimacy, received some support as long-term outcomes associated with reports of chronic experiences of childhood physical abuse. These findings provide some empirical support for the theorized relationship between childhood abuse and difficulties in the domains of intra- and interpersonal functioning.

Making Social Support Judgments: The Role of Similarity and Conscientiousness

Making Social Support Judgments: The Role of Similarity and ConscientiousnessBrian Lakey, Lisa Thomson Ross, Chris Butler and Kelvin BentleyBrian LakeySearch for more papers by this author, Lisa Thomson RossSearch for more papers by this author, Chris ButlerSearch for more papers by this author and Kelvin BentleyWayne State UniversitySearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:January 2011https://doi.org/10.1521/jscp.1996.15.3.283PDFPDF PLUS ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack Citations About Previous article Next article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Cited byCited by1. The Relationship between Aid and Quality of LifeOnline publication date: 28 April 2022. Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar2. Social Support: Multidisciplinary Review, Synthesis, and Future AgendaOnline publication date: Go to citation Crossref Google Scholar3. 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Interpersonal violence: Expanding the search for long‐term sequelae within a sample of battered women

AbstractLifetime sexual and physical victimization histories were examined within a shelter and outpatient sample of battered women (N = 43). Rates of prior victimization were very high with 71% of women reporting a childhood experience of physical abuse and 53% of women reporting a childhood experience of sexual abuse. These experiences were then examined as predictors of intra‐ and interpersonal functioning. Difficulties with identity development, low self‐worth, borderline personality characteristics, and (at the trend level) difficulties with intimacy, received some support as long‐term outcomes associated with reports of chronic experiences of childhood physical abuse. These findings provide some empirical support for the theorized relationship between childhood abuse and difficulties in the domains of intra‐ and interpersonal functioning.

Recovered memories of abuse in women with documented child sexual victimization histories

AbstractThis study provides evidence that some adults who claim to have recovered memories of sexual abuse recall actual events that occurred in childhood. One hundred twenty‐nine women with documented histories of sexual victimization in childhood were interviewed and asked about abuse history. Seventeen years following the initial report of the abuse, 80 of the women recalled the victimization. One in 10 women (16% of those who recalled the abuse) reported that at some time in the past they had forgotten about the abuse. Those with a prior period of forgetting—the women with “recovered memories”—were younger at the time of abuse and were less likely to have received support from their mothers than the women who reported that they had always remembered their victimization. The women who had recovered memories and those who had always remembered had the same number of discrepancies when their accounts of the abuse were compared to the reports from the early 1970s.