Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences Research Articles

Women's Experiences of Adult Sexual Assault, by Perpetrator Gender and Participant Sexual Orientation.

The vast majority of theoretical and empirical research assessing sexual assault (SA) focuses on man-against-woman SA (MWSA), leaving other forms such as woman-against-woman SA (WWSA) understudied. Relatively simple questions, such as the relative frequency of WWSA for women of different sexual orientations, the tactics (e.g., coercion, force), or forms (e.g., groping, vaginal penetration) employed in WWSA remain unanswered. To address these issues, 268 women (approximately one-third of each bisexual, lesbian, and heterosexual) completed an online survey reporting on whether or not they had experienced a variety of nonconsensual sexual experiences in their adult lifetime, asking specifically about perpetration by men and women. Results indicated that although SA perpetrated by men was far more common, a substantial minority of participants reported having experienced WWSA. In general, tactics and forms employed were similar, regardless of the gender of the perpetrator or the woman's sexual orientation, with two exceptions: bisexual women had experienced higher rates of MWSA, and lesbian women had experienced more SA in the form of oral sex compared to other groups. Implications for theory, empirical research, and especially community and clinical practice are discussed.

Predictors of duty sex frequency in women.

Duty Sex-the act of engaging in sex out of a sense of duty or obligation to a partner-is a commonly reported reason why women have sex, with studies indicating associations between Duty Sex and sexual dysfunction, as well as nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs). This study sought to examine the associations between Duty Sex frequency, sexual function, and NSEs using comprehensive, validated measures of sexual function and NSE histories in a large community sample of women. Six hundred and fifty-eight women with (n = 293) and without (n = 365) NSE histories completed measures of sexual function and sexual motivations. Women with NSE histories reported more sexual pain, lower sexual satisfaction, and more frequent Duty Sex. The relation between NSE history and Duty Sex remained after controlling for the variance in sexual function. The type of NSE behavior, but not the timing of the first NSE nor the perceived impact of the experience, predicted Duty Sex frequency. Clinicians should consider sexual motivations, particularly Duty Sex, when treating women with NSE histories or who experience sexual dysfunction. To our knowledge, this was the first study to examine how NSEs relate to all domains of sexual function and sexual motives, revealing a link between NSEs, sexual function, and Duty Sex. However, we were unable to account for what percentage of sexual encounters are considered Duty Sex. Therefore, our measurement of Duty Sex lacks specificity, which may explain the relatively low variance accounted for by the models in our analyses. There are consequences of NSEs, including difficulties with communicating sexual boundaries and impairment of sexual function, that may contribute to the increased likelihood of engaging in Duty Sex.

Chemsex and its impact on gay and bisexual men who have sex with men: Findings from an online survey in Belgium.

The study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexualized drug use, or chemsex, in a wide group of gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM) in Belgium. It examined which drugs gbMSM used before and during sex, the frequency with which they used it, whether they experienced non-consensual sex, and evaluated the impact of chemsex on the health and professional and social lives of respondents. We conducted an online survey among Belgian gbMSM. Five specific questions on chemsex were included in the survey. These questions assessed whether gbMSM engaged in chemsex. If they did, they were asked to provide information on which drugs they had used and how often. We asked whether their and their partners' boundaries had been respected and whether and how engaging in chemsex had affected a range of life domains. Of 836 respondents, 258 (30.9%) self-reported having had sex under the influence of substances ("chemsex") in the previous 6 months. Of these, 227 (88%) were considered chemsex users according to the definition used for the analysis. Poppers (73%), gamma-hydroxybutyrate/gamma-butyrolactone (GHB/GBL; 69%) and cathinones (68%) were the most commonly reported substances. Almost half of respondents (45%) engaging in chemsex were high on drugs during at least half of their sexual encounters. Nearly 1 in 10 (9%) reported that boundaries had not been respected, suggesting non-consensual sexual activities. The 82 respondents experiencing negative impacts from their chemsex use reported that mental health (65%), physical health (40%) and sexual health (38%) were most impacted. Our findings provide a snapshot of the current chemsex situation in Belgium. The frequency of chemsex is concerning because several health, professional and social aspects are impacted. Almost 1 in 10 respondents using chemsex reported that chemsex impacted consent around sex, requiring additional efforts to eradicate these non-consensual sexual experiences. Therefore, larger scale research focusing on respected boundaries and consent during chemsex and the frequency of drug use for sex seems required. Additionally, sensitisation, as well as care and support programmes are critical.

Beyond Force, Incapacitation, or Verbal Coercion: Rates and Outcomes of Sexual Assault without Warning

ABSTRACT To date, most sexual assault research has focused on specific perpetrator tactics, including verbal coercion, substance-related incapacitation, and force. Responding to recent calls to assess a broader range of nonconsensual sexual experiences, we examined the occurrence and outcomes of sexual assault without warning – when a perpetrator “just does” a behavior without giving a chance to say “no.” Participants were 850 college students (Mage = 19.70; 70% cisgender women, 28% cisgender men, 2% transgender/gender expansive), including 38% (n = 325) who reported sexual assault since age 14. Among these survivors, 72% reported sexual assault without warning, including 18% for whom this was the only tactic experienced. Sexual assault without warning was most often used to obtain nonconsensual sexual contact (23% of the sample) but also attempted (11%) and completed penetration (13%). Relative to no such experience, sexual assault without warning was associated with more severe posttraumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, but fewer past-month drinks per week. Although more alcohol use and related consequences were better predicted by incapacitated sexual assault, sexual assault without warning was consistently associated with mental health problems. Findings support the integration of this tactic into sexual assault assessments for college students of diverse gender and sexual identities.

Gender Differences in Sexual Violence Victimization Experiences and Validity of Victimization Reports: A Think-Aloud Study

ABSTRACT This study compared the qualitative nature of women and men’s sexual violence (SV) victimization, the types of experiences captured and missed on the Sexual Experiences Survey-Short Form Victimization (SES-SFV) across genders, and common interpretations of the SES-SFV items. Fifty-four university students (31 women, 21 cis men, 2 trans men) who had recent unwanted (but not necessarily nonconsensual) sexual experiences thought out loud while privately completing the SES-SFV. They also typed descriptions of experiences reported on SES-SFV items or similar experiences when nothing was reported on an item. Results indicated that women’s victimization was more frequent and severe than cis men’s, except when men were victimized by men. Although verbal coercion was common across genders, event descriptions indicated that women’s verbal coercion experiences were more often harsh and part of a partner’s ongoing SV or coercive control. The findings suggest that quantitative measurement can mask important gender differences in victimization and (based on analysis of false positives and negatives) may underestimate rape and attempted rape experiences, especially women’s. Findings suggested that responding to the SES-SFV was not traumatic or distressing. However, participants sometimes expressed confusion about the items and interpreted them in unintended ways.

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence: Victimization and Risk Factors

Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence (TFSV) has been a permanent concern in contemporary society. This study aims to provide a global understanding of the TFSV phenomenon in Portuguese context. Using quantitative analyses, the rate and prevalence of victimization, victim characteristics, and technology use were examined. An online questionnaire was completed by 500 people (75.8% female) aged 18–70, mostly cisgender (96.2%), and heterosexual (85.8%). The main results point to a high victimization global rate (72%) as well as in the last 12 months (70.8%). There were no significant differences between the sexes except in sexual aggression/coercion, with more females suffering the more severe type of TFSV. However, the gendering of TFSV emerges with specific behaviors. Females tend to be more sexually harassed, only females report non-consensual sexual experiences with someone they met online, and males tend to report receiving offensive content about their gender/sexuality. Younger people tend to report a higher rate of victimization. The regression model with only victim characteristics is more predictive of TFSV victimization, with younger and heterosexual victims as significant predictors. This study argues that the culture of harassment is deeply rooted and finds an easy way to be disseminated in the digital world.

The Revised Sexual Experiences Survey Victimization Version (SES-V): Conceptualization, Modifications, Items and Scoring

ABSTRACT The Sexual Experiences Survey [SES] is considered the gold standard measure of non-consensual sexual experiences. This article introduces a new victimization version [SES-V] developed by a multidisciplinary collaboration, the first revision since 2007. The 2024 SES-V is designed to measure the construct of sexual exploitation since the 14th birthday. Notable revisions are adoption of a freely given permission standard for non-consent, introduction of new tactics and acts, including made to perform or to penetrate another person’s body, tactics-first wording order, and emphasis on gender and sexual orientation inclusivity. The SES-V is modularized to allow whole or partial administration. Modules include Non-contact, Technology-facilitated, Illegal (largely penetrative), and Verbally pressured sexual exploitation. Tables provide item text, multiple scoring approaches, module follow-up, specific incident description and demographics. Future plans include developing a scoring algorithm based on weighting our hypothesized dimensions of sexual exploitation severity: invasiveness, pressure, and norm violation combined with frequency. This article is the first in a special issue on the SES-V. Subsequent articles focus on the taxonomies and literature that informed each module. The issue concludes with two empirical papers demonstrating the feasibility and validity of the SES-V: (1) psychometric comparison with the 2007 SES-SFV; and (2) prevalence data from a census-matched adult community sample.

(058) HAVING SEX OUT OF A SENSE OF DUTY: THE INFLUENCE OF NONCONSENSUAL SEXUAL EXPERIENCES AND SEXUAL FUNCTIONING

Abstract Introduction Pleasure and emotional bonding are two motives for why women have sex that are commonly discussed in the literature. Less commonly reported, but frequently endorsed by women, is the motive “duty sex,” in which an individual engages in sex out of a sense of obligation to maintain a relationship or their partner’s feelings towards them, to ensure their partner will not leave them, or to avoid conflict. Engaging in duty sex can yield negative outcomes such as emotional discomfort and lower relationship satisfaction, although there have been some reports of positive outcomes, including feelings of closeness (O’Sullivan & Allgeier, 1998). Women with a history of nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) show high rates of sexual dysfunction (Pulverman et al., 2018), and sexual dysfunction in women has been linked to a higher tendency to engage in duty sex (Meston & Stanton, 2017). Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential connections between sexual dysfunction and the frequency of duty sex in women with NSE histories. Methods Women (N = 820; mean age = 35.36, SD = 11.32) completed the Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences Inventory (NSEI; Kilimnik & Meston, 2017), the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI; Rosen et al., 2000), items indicative of duty sex from the Sexual Motivations Scale (Cooper et al., 1998), as well as other measures not reported here. Results Women were categorized as either having NSE history (n = 465) or not (n = 355) based on the NSEI. FSFI total scores predicted duty sex such that women with lower sexual functioning reported engaging in more duty sex, R2 = .18, F(1, 654) = 147.30, p < .01, and higher levels of duty sex predicted lower sexual satisfaction, R2 = .057, F(1, 807) = 50.13, p < .01. Results from a multiple linear regression revealed that NSE history significantly predicted engagement in duty sex after controlling for sexual function, R2 = .19, F(2, 653) = 77.06, p < .01. Conclusions The results suggest that women with NSE histories endorse a higher frequency of duty sex motives compared to women without NSE histories that cannot be explained by variability in sexual functioning. That is, women with NSE histories were more likely to engage in sex out of fear that their partner would love them less, be angry with them, or leave them if they refused to engage in sex, and this effect was over and above the relationship of these motives with sexual dysfunction. As engaging in these duty sex motives was linked to overall sexual dissatisfaction, future research that examines the cognitive mechanisms by which having a history of NSE leads women to feel obligated to have sex out of a sense of duty would help enhance the sex lives of women with NSE histories. Disclosure No.

(023) THE IMPACT OF TITLE IX MANDATORY REPORTING POLICY ON UNDERGRADUATES' LIKELIHOOD OF REPORTING SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Abstract Introduction In the United States, Title IX requires employees of federally funded universities to report any knowledge of university-related nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs), whether or not the students involved desire to file a report. Research assessing students’ likelihood of reporting sexual violence (SV) to someone at their university under these policies remains sparse; however, extant research indicates students are more likely to report when SV is penetrative, the perpetrator is a professor, and the event is similar to stereotypes of SV but they are less likely to report when alcohol is present or a student is the perpetrator. Alcohol is present in roughly half of all college SV and alcohol is the greatest rape-risk factor for female students. Despite the widespread implementation of MR policies, there is no consensus on how these policies actually impact students’ reporting. None of the previous studies on MR have used an experimental design to evaluate the effects of MR on students’ likelihood of reporting sexual violence to universities. Objective The current study aimed to fill these gaps by (1) using an experimental design to assess students’ likelihood of reporting sexual violence and (2) by evaluating how contextual factors, like perpetrator, violence type and alcohol consumption, impact likelihood of reporting under MR policy Methods 171 female undergraduate students were recruited for the current study. Participants were randomized into two groups: one group was instructed to imagine that their university had MR policies in place while the other was instructed to imagine that university employees were all confidential reporting (CR) sources-- meaning that students could disclose without creating a report. Students read four vignettes alternating perpetrator (professor vs. student) and violence type (penetrative vs. non-penetrative). After each vignette, students indicated their likelihood of reporting if they were the student in the vignette with and without the presence of alcohol. Results Student answers were dichotomized to “would” versus “would not” report and binomial logistic regressions analyzed differences between conditions and vignettes with and without alcohol. Significant differences arose across vignettes, conditions, and alcohol consumption. Conclusions Overall, students who said they would report the SV vignette without alcohol were roughly 4 times more likely to report it with alcohol (p <0.001). Students were significantly more likely to say they would report a professor perpetrating a penetrative assault (PR) over any other vignette; however, perhaps most importantly, students in the MR condition were significantly less likely to do so than students in the CR group (p= 0.032). Students in the MR group were also significantly less likely to report than CR students when alcohol was present (p= 0.004). Despite being most similar to stereotypical SV (e.g., power differential, penetration), students in the MR group reported it significantly less than CR students. As this type of SV is historically most commonly reported, this could have important implications for real-world reporting patterns. MR policy could significantly decrease reporting overall. Disclosure No.

Adverse childhood experiences, sexual risk-taking and non-consensual sexual experiences in a nationally representative study of 15–29-year-old Danes

BackgroundAdverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been linked with risky health-related behaviors and poor health. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate associations of ACEs with a broad panel of sexual risk-taking behaviors and non-consensual sexual experiences among young people in Denmark. Participants and settingBaseline questionnaire data from 15 to 29-year-old participants in the nationally representative cohort study Project SEXUS were used in combination with data from Danish national registers to include a total of 13,132 individuals. MethodsIn logistic regression analyses, confounder-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were obtained for associations of five ACE categories (Household challenges, Loss or threat of loss, Material deprivation, Abuse, and Neglect) and a cumulative ACE score with measures of sexual risk-taking and non-consensual sexual experiences. ResultsStatistically significant associations were observed between ACEs and multiple sexual risk-taking behaviors and non-consensual sexual experiences with particularly increased odds among individuals with a history of Abuse, Neglect, or an ACE score of 3 or more. Specifically, Abuse was associated with having received payment for sex (women: aOR 5.38; 95 % CI 2.73–10.61; men: aOR 2.11; 95 % CI 1.22–3.64), with having paid for sex (men: aOR 1.88; 95 % CI 1.41–2.51), and with having been the victim of a sexual assault after age 18 years (women: aOR 3.33; 95 % CI 2.36–4.68). ConclusionsIn this Danish study, multiple measures of sexual risk-taking and non-consensual sexual experiences were markedly more common among young people with ACEs than in those without ACEs. This knowledge should be considered in future initiatives to promote sexual health among young people.

Prevalence rates and identification of nonconsensual sexual experiences among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Canada

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) have been identified as a population at higher risk of experiencing non-consensual sexual experiences (NSEs). However, previous research studies examining the prevalence of NSEs in this population have been limited by inconsistent terminology and a lack of research on the topic. The main focus of this study was to compare the effectiveness of using self-labels versus behavioural indicators to measure the prevalence of NSEs experienced in adulthood in GBMSM and contribute to more accurate prevalence rates in the Canadian context. A total of 346 participants were recruited from various social media platforms in Canada. The study used a two-part question that asked participants if they had ever been sexually assaulted or raped, followed by a question about other nonconsensual sexual experiences. The study also used a formal behavioural measure, the Sexual Experiences Survey, to assess the prevalence of NSEs. The results indicated that a two-part question and the formal measure reported similar prevalence rates of NSEs—64.5% and 66.8% respectively. Overall prevalence of NSEs was very high in this sample, and people of colour and trans men reported even higher rates. Depending on the context, the parsimonious choice of questioning persons on the NSE history may be valid, however, only if applied in the context of asking for rape and assault as well as other NSEs that may not be captured by these definitions. The study highlights the importance of using consistent terminology and effective measurement methods when studying the prevalence of NSEs in GBMSM. These findings may have important implications for developing interventions and for obtaining more accurate prevalence rates in a variety of settings without having to use a longer, more formalized measure.

Uncovering young people's situational construction of sexual consent.

Aim: To investigate how young Danes construct sexual consent generally, but also specifically in relation to heavy alcohol intoxication. Methods: Drawing on 30 qualitative in-depth interviews with young people, aged 19-25 years, and adopting a critical discursive psychological framework, we explored the interpretative repertoires that the participants made use of to construct sexual consent and the subject positions those repertoires enabled. Results: The participants made use of three interpretative repertoires that we named as follows: (1) sexual consent as an agreement between rational individuals; (2) sexual consent as a heteronormative practice; and (3) intoxicated sexual consent. Discussion: Young people draw on different repertoires when discussing sexual consent in general, sexual consent in relation to gendered practices and expectations, and sexual consent in relation to heavy alcohol intoxication. Conclusion: It is vital to keep the situational nature of young people's constructions of sexual consent in mind if we wish to understand and eventually reduce the number of non-consensual sexual experiences.

The moderating roles of emotion regulation and coping self-efficacy on the association between PTSD symptom severity and drug use among female sexual assault survivors.

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders are a significant comorbid concern among sexual assault survivors. Thus, underlying risk and protective factors are critical to investigate in understanding how to prevent this comorbidity. The current study assessed potential moderating effects of coping self-efficacy (CSE) and emotion dysregulation on the association between sexual assault-related PTSD symptom severity and drug use severity in a sample of college women. In this study, 518 female undergraduate students completed self-report measures of nonconsensual sexual experiences, PTSD symptoms, CSE, emotion dysregulation, and drug use severity. Of these participants, 287 women reported at least 1 incident of attempted or completed rape. We found evidence of a significant moderation effect, suggesting that high levels of CSE and low levels of emotion dysregulation reduce the likelihood of drug use issues for female sexual assault survivors. These findings suggest that assessment tools, interventions, and trauma-related policies should target CSE and emotion dysregulation in attenuating the risk of drug use for women with assault-related PTSD symptoms. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Sexual agency as situational: moving beyond neoliberal understandings of sexual agency when investigating young people’s alcohol intoxicated sexual encounters

Background: A high number of non-consensual sexual experiences happen in heavy drinking contexts, pointing to the importance of investigating how young people make meaning of their alcohol intoxicated sexual interactions. In analyzing that, researchers have used the concept of ‘sexual agency’, to describe how young people often draw on a neoliberal discourse, which emphasizes freedom, choice and individual responsibility to make meaning of their alcohol intoxicated sexual interactions. The aim of this paper is to argue for the applicability of a more situational understanding of sexual agency, such as Cahill’s (2016), when investigating young people’s alcohol intoxicated sexual experiences. Methods: 30 qualitative interviews were conducted with young Danes (aged 19-25) on their alcohol intoxicated sexual encounters. Results: A narrative analytical approach revealed that participants draw on three types of narratives on sexual encounters which emphasized: 1) The pleasurable experiences and a large degree of agency 2) The ambivalent experiences of agency and 3) The out-of-control sexual experiences. Conclusions: The results highlight the situational and varied nature of sexual agency in sexual encounters and that discourses on gender, sexuality and alcohol intoxication influence the participants’ construction of agency.

(030) A Preliminary Analysis of the Effects of Title IX Mandatory Reporting Policies on Undergraduate Students’ Likelihood of Disclosing Sexual Violence

Abstract Introduction In the United States, Title IX requires employees of federally funded universities to report any knowledge of university-related nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs), whether or not the students involved desire to file a report. Research assessing students’ likelihood of disclosing sexual violence to someone at their university under these policies remains sparse; however, the extant literature found that people with NSE histories feel they would be less likely to disclose sexual violence with mandatory reporting (MR) policies present. Even without MR policies, one factor that has consistently shown to impact an individual’s likelihood of disclosing an NSE is whether or not they label their NSE with a sexual violence term (e.g., rape). Individuals who do not identify their NSEs with these terms (“non-identifiers”) are less likely to report than individuals who do identify with these terms (“identifiers”). None of the previous studies on MR have used an experimental design to evaluate the effects of MR on students’ likelihood of reporting sexual violence to universities, nor have they taken the students’ identification of their NSEs into account when evaluating this likelihood. Objectives The current study aimed to fill these gaps by (1) using an experimental design to assess students’ likelihood of reporting sexual violence to the university under MR policy and (2), evaluating how NSE identification, rather than NSE history alone, impacts likelihood of reporting under such policies. Methods 120 undergraduate students were recruited for the current study. Participants were randomized into two groups: one group was instructed to imagine that their university had MR policies in place while the other was instructed to imagine that university employees were all confidential reporting sources-- meaning that students could disclose their NSE without creating a formal report. Next, participants were presented with four gender-neutral vignettes that differed in the perpetrator (professor vs. student) and type of assault (penetrative vs. non-penetrative). After each vignette, participants responded to questions adapted from Newins and White (2018) asking how likely they would be to report the offense if they were the student in the vignette. Students also completed the Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences Inventory to assess NSE history and identification (NSEI; Kilimnik et al., 2018). Results Preliminary analyses using a mixed factor repeated-measures ANOVA indicated a significant difference in student likelihood of disclosure (p < 0.001). Post-hoc analyses revealed that students were significantly more likely to report with a professor perpetrator than a student. Additionally, when the perpetrator was a student, participants were more likely to disclose in cases of penetrative rather than non-penetrative assault. No significant differences were detected by condition or NSE identification in the preliminary analyses. Conclusions These preliminary results suggest that MR policy may not significantly affect a student’s likelihood of disclosing sexual violence to the university as some previous literature has suggested. Further analysis will be conducted to increase our understanding of any potential impact of mandatory reporting policies on students’ overall likelihood to seek university resources and receive support for nonconsensual sexual experiences. Disclosure No.

A Qualitative Account of Coping Following Non-Consensual Sexual Experiences among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men

ABSTRACT Sexual consent among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) has not been thoroughly documented in the academic literature. Research has suggested that GBMSM incur a greater risk for experiencing non-consensual sexual experiences (NSEs) compared to heterosexual, cis-gendered men. Despite the high prevalence of NSEs impacting this population, little research has been conducted on how GBMSM cope after NSEs. The purpose of this study was to examine how GBMSM cope following NSEs. Responses were analyzed from 206 GBMSM, aged 18–77 (M = 31.84), recruited across Canada. Participants completed an online survey, answering open-ended questions on experiences of NSEs and how they coped afterward. Guidelines for thematic analysis were followed to analyze the responses, indicating that GBMSM cope both maladaptively (e.g., avoidance, withdrawal from social networks and sexual relationships) and adaptively (e.g., seeking therapy, social support) following NSEs. Some participants were affected by and needed to cope with their NSEs over a longer term (e.g., ongoing rumination, enjoying sexual and intimate relationships less). Participants used a range of coping skills and showed openness to reach out for help from formal and informal sources, but also noted that resources were not always accessible or culturally sensitive to GBMSM’s needs. Responses are discussed in the context of barriers to effective coping, such as perceptions of masculinity and maladaptive sexual scripts.

(078) Assessing Women's Sexual Well-being in the Context of Relationship Status and Nonconsensual Sexual Experience History

Abstract Introduction Being involved in a romantic relationship has consistently been associated with better general well-being and life satisfaction, relational and sexual satisfaction, and sexual function. Research indicates that these relationships also buffer women against negative mental and sexual health outcomes after traumatic experiences. Regardless of quality, the presence of a romantic relationship is associated with better general and sexual outcomes for women. Though it has been well established that romantic relationships are positively associated with better sexual and general well-being for heterosexual individuals, the influence of relationship status on other important indicators of sexual well-being has received significantly less attention. Research has not assessed sexual well-being by self-schemas and sexual excitation and inhibition propensities. Given the associations of sexual schemas and sexual excitation and inhibition with sexual function and satisfaction, these two constructs are important to consider when evaluating sexual well-being for women. Additionally, it is imperative to consider nonconsensual sexual experiences (NSEs) when evaluating women’s sexual well-being as 20% of women in the U.S. experience an NSE in their lifetime. NSEs are known to negatively impact sexual excitation and inhibition, self-schemas, and sexual and general well-being. Objective The current study expands upon existing research on sexual well-being by including measures of excitation and inhibition and sexual schemas as well as considering participants’ NSE history. Filling these gaps in the extant literature could prove important for understanding the combined effects of relationship status and NSE history on women’s sexual well-being. Methods The data for the current study was taken from a larger assessment of female sexuality in February and July of 2016. Data from 1152 women was analyzed in the current study. The women completed assessments of previous consensual and nonconsensual sexual experiences using the Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences Inventory, sexual excitation and inhibition using the Sexual Excitation and Sexual Inhibition Inventory for Women, sexual self-schemas using the Sexual Self-Schema Scale and relationship status. Results The results from an ANOVA and subsequent independent t-test pairwise comparisons indicate significant differences in sexual schemas and excitation and inhibition propensities across various relationship statuses (p values < 0.05). After Bonferroni corrections, there were a few significant findings. Women in married or cohabitating relationships report significantly more conservative/embarrassed sexual self-schemas than single women. Single women with NSE histories also reported significantly lower scores on the “setting” excitation subscale of the SESII-W compared to single women with no NSE histories. Conclusions The results indicate that women conceptualize their sexual schemas and experience facilitators and inhibitors of arousal differently across various relationship statuses. Consistent with previous literature, married and cohabitating women reported more conservative/embarrassed self-schemas. Interestingly, single women with an NSE history reported that sex in novel or public settings was less activating for their sexual arousal than the sexual setting for women with no NSE histories. These findings highlight the importance of considering relationship status and NSE history when examining sexual well-being, sexual self-schemas, and sexual excitation and inhibition. Disclosure No

The Role of Sexual Consent and Past Non-consensual Sexual Experiences on Rape Supportive Attitudes in a Heterosexual Community Sample

The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between (a) sociodemographic variables, past non-consensual experiences and sexual consent and (b) the endorsement of rape supportive attitudes. A sample of 1042 heterosexual adults (42.4% men) was surveyed. A predictive model indicated that the most relevant predictors of rape supportive attitudes were gender (i.e., being male) and most dimensions from sexual consent such as (Lack of) perceived behavioural control, Sexual consent norms, and Awareness and discussion. On the contrary, holding a positive attitude for the establishment of consent in sexual encounters negatively predicted rape supportive attitudes. The positive association between gender (i.e., being male) and (Lack of) perceived behavioural control was stronger among participants who were not victims of past non-consensual sexual experiences than among participants who were victims of past non-consensual sexual experiences, and the same held true when Positive attitude toward establishing sexual consent was involved in the interaction. These findings may help us understand the role of sexual consent on the attitudes that support violence, which can better guide future prevention programs aimed at reducing them.

Exploring the Validity of a Modified Version of the SES-SFV with Students Attending Northern Irish Universities

ABSTRACT Compared to US university students, far less is known about the scale of unwanted and non-consensual sexual experiences [USEs] faced by UK university students, particularly those in Northern Ireland [NI]. The Sexual Experiences Survey (Short Form [SEF-SFV]) is considered a popular tool for measuring USEs but has not been updated since 2007; there is some indication that additional perpetrator tactics may be more inclusive of students’ experiences and that certain scoring strategies may impact our understanding of data. This paper examines the USEs reported by 1033 students attending either of NI’s traditional universities. Participants completed a modified version of the SES-SFV that included two additional perpetration tactics: “ignorance of refusal” and “taken by surprise.” Sixty-three percent (n = 650) reported experiencing at least one USE, but this reduced to 53% (n = 546) without the new perpetrator tactics. Female and non-heterosexual students reported significantly more USEs than male and heterosexual students, respectively. “Taken by surprise” was highly endorsed (81%, n = 525) and the most commonly endorsed tactic. Whilst dichotomous scoring is the most straightforward, continuous scoring affords greater analytical opportunities whilst still retaining frequency of USEs. “Taken by surprise” may be a relevant addition but further mixed-methodological research is required to assess its validity among larger and more diverse samples. SES-SFV scoring options should be also validated using male and mixed-gender samples, particularly categorical scoring to ensure current construction is reflective of the wider student experience.

Unacknowledged and missed cases of sexual victimization: A comparison of responses to broad versusbehaviorally specific questions.

From the beginning of systematic research on sexual victimization, it has been recognized that a substantial proportion of women report nonconsensual sexual experiences meeting the defining criteria of rape in response to behaviorally specific items, but do not acknowledge their experience as rape in response to broad questions about whether they have ever been raped. Recent studies suggest that rates of unacknowledged rape may be as high or even higher among men than among women. This study examined rates of unacknowledged female and male victims of rape and sexual assault by comparing responses to behaviorally specific items of the Sexual Aggression and Victimization Scale (SAV-S) with responses to broad questions using the labels of sexual assault and rape (SARA) in 593 participants (303 women) in Germany. As predicted, more women and men were classified as rape victims based on behaviorally specific items than on the basis of the broad rape item. The rates of unacknowledged rape were about 60% for women and 75% for men. The gender difference was not significant. Against our prediction, no significant differences in acknowledgement of sexual assault were found in relation to coercive strategy and victim-perpetrator relationship. Few cases of rape and sexual assault identified by the SARA items were missed by the behaviorally specific questions. The implications for establishing prevalence rates of rape and sexual assault and for comparing victims and nonvictims in terms of vulnerability factors and outcomes of sexual victimization are discussed.