Sexual Assault Research Articles

A snapshot of Australian university responses to campus sexual violence

In recent years Australian universities have come under increasing pressure over their management of sexual assault and sexual harassment. In February 2024, on the eve of an unprecedented regulatory intervention from Australian governments, the Australian Human Rights Institute analysed university websites to assess the degree to which Australian universities had adopted good practice guidance in their responses to sexual violence. The Institute’s subsequent report highlighted gaps and inconsistencies in institutional responses, serving to underline the need for the new national Action Plan Addressing Gender-based Violence in Higher Education.

“I’m Spoon-Feeding Him My Trauma”: An Analysis of Sexual Assault Survivors’ Ongoing Privacy Management in Romantic Relationships

ABSTRACT For survivors of sexual assault, navigating privacy boundaries can be challenging. Communication privacy management theory posits privacy and disclosure as a dialectical tension. As boundaries are negotiated, breached, and renegotiated, people are faced with examining the roles ownership, control, and turbulence play when regulating their private information, particularly around the highly sensitive topic of sexual assault in a romantic relationship where the relational risk is high. Through qualitative, semi-structured interviews (n = 21) and a phronetic iterative approach to data analysis, we examined the ongoing privacy management of survivors of sexual assault in romantic relationships. The results of this study offer insight into the ways participants controlled their personal information through the privacy management process and the effects of incongruent privacy management on participants, their partners, and the relationship.

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.

Detrimental to Our Digital Well-Being: Campus Sexual Misconduct and Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Among University Students in Singapore.

Although increasingly prevalent in Singapore, campus sexual assault and harassment and technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) remain underresearched. Conducted by scholars across social work, gender studies, policy studies, communication, and computer science, this interdisciplinary study explores the impact of technologies such as social media and online platforms on the digital well-being of university students in Singapore who experience TFSV and campus sexual misconduct. We conducted online surveys with 314 students and interviews with 28 students, the majority of whom were women and identified as victim-survivors. Our analysis revealed participants did not perceive technologies as entirely detrimental and possessed limited awareness of digital well-being. These findings contribute to understanding young victim-survivors' digital well-being and relationship to technology in Singapore by highlighting the experiences of college students.

The Traumatic Implications of Sexual Assault on the Academic Performances of Female Students: A Study of Tertiary Institutions in Anambra State

This research seeks to investigate the traumatic implications of sexual assault of female students of selected tertiary institutions in Anambra State on their academic performance. The specific objectives were to basically assess the relationship between sexual assault and non-attendance to lectures and the relationship between sexual assault and academic failure. The research was carried out using a descriptive survey design. The population of the study was one thousand three hundred and seventy (896) female students of three selected tertiary institutions under study. Data was collected from primary source using a well structured questionnaire. Designed instrument was validated through content validity using five experts from both the industry and academia. Data were analyzed using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient at 0.05 probability level of significance aided by computer through the application of statistical packaging for social sciences (SPSS version 23). Findings indicated that: there was a significant relationship between sexual assault(r = 0.104, p = 0.000, p-value < 0.05) and non-attendance to lectures and the relationship between sexual assault (r = 0.014; p=0.001; p-value < .05) and academic failure. It is recommended that school management should establish counseling units across all tertiary institutions with professional counselors employed to counsel victims as well as encouraging them to move on with their usual academic life.

Association between sexual violence and depression is mediated by perceived social support among female university students in the kingdom of Eswatini

BackgroundGender-based violence is a tool that primarily functions to maintain gendered power hierarchies. Manifestations of gender-based violence, sexual assault and street harassment have been shown to have significant effects on mental wellbeing in the global North, however there is little research centering the experiences and consequences of gendered harassment in the Africa region.MethodsWe analyzed a cross-sectional random sample of 372 women attending a major university in Eswatini in 2017 to measure the prevalence of street harassment among female university students and assess the relationship between experiences of sexual assault, sexualized street harassment, and mental health outcomes in this population.ResultsWe found that in the previous 12 months, women reported experiencing high levels of sexual assault (20%), street harassment (90%), and depression (38%). Lifetime sexual assault, past 12 months sexual assault, and street harassment were all significantly associated with symptoms of depression. We created a structural model to test hypothesized causal pathways between street harassment, previous experiences of sexual assault, and symptoms of depression, with social support as a potential mediator. We found that a history of sexual violence significantly mediated the association between street harassment and depression, and that social support mediated a large proportion of the association between both forms of gender-based violence and depression.ConclusionSexualized street harassment is associated with increased depressive symptomology for nearly all women, however the effects are especially pronounced for women who have previous experiences of sexual violence. Sexualized street harassment functions as a tool to maintain gendered power hierarchies by reminding women of ongoing threat of sexual violence even in public spaces. Social support and solidarity among women is a potentially important source of resiliency against the physical and mental harms of all forms of gender based violence.

Stochastic Gender-Based Violence: How Incels Justify and Encourage Sexualized Violence Against Women.

This study examines how involuntarily celibate ("incels") men justify gender-based and sexualized violence against women. Based on an analysis of 22,060 discussion board comments, we argue that: (1) incel justifications of sexualized violence are tied to their perception of gender relations, (2) incels justify sexual assault as a form of revenge for their incel status, and (3) incels misuse science to argue that women enjoy sexual assault. Adapting the concept of "stochastic terrorism," we argue that incels and similar communities produce stochastic gender-based violence, wherein communities justify and encourage acts of violence. Findings are discussed in relation to gender-based violence, rape culture, masculinities theory, and policy.

Childhood Sexual Abuse & Sexual Revictimization Among Sexual Minority Men

ABSTRACT Sexual minority (SM) men’s sexual revictimization (SR; i.e. experiences of adult victimization among childhood sexual abuse survivors) is an understudied topic despite evidence that SM men are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence (SV) over the life course. This study addresses this gap utilizing a diverse sample (n = 2859) of SM men (age 18–30) from the U.S. Results demonstrated that over 10% of SM men had experienced SR. Further, strength-based (e.g. sense of LGBTQIA2S+ community) and minority-stress (e.g. internalized homonegativity) related factors were examined as moderators of the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault victimization (ASAV) in the past six months. One factor emerged as a significant moderator of the CSA-ASAV relationship: perceived discrimination. Practice-based implications are provided.

Sexual Violence and Girl Child Completion of Primary Education; A Case Study of Mitooma Sub County, Mitooma District.

The study focused on determining the relationship between sexual violence and girl child completion of primary education. Specifically, to find out how girl child sexual assault affects the completion of primary Education; to find out how girl child sexual harassment affects the completion of primary education ; to find out how effectiveness of statutory instruments in place towards sexual violence against girl child affects completion of primary Education and to find possible measures of controlling sexual harassment against girl child in primary schools in Mitooma Sub County. The study adopted cross-sectional research design with the sample size of 160 respondents, participants were selected using simple random and purposive sampling. Data was collected using questionnaire survey, interview method and focused group discussion. It was analysed using descriptive and pearson correlation coefficient. The study found out that sexual assault had a positive significant contribution to girl child completion of primary education. The study also revealed that that effect of sexual violence had a negative significant contribution to girl child completion of primary education. The study showed that effectiveness of statutory instruments had a positive significant contribution to girl child completion of primary education. The study found out that school has provided learners with basic information on how to avoid situations leading to sexual violence; sign posts have been hung in the school compound bearing messages against sexual violence; the school provides a protective environment and free from risks of sexual violence. The study recommends that government should promote gender equality and respect through incorporating gender equality and respectful relationships into school curricula. Teach children about consent, boundaries, and mutual respect from a young age. Government though police and court should ensure Immediate and Comprehensive Support for Victims by providing immediate and ongoing psychological support to help victims cope with trauma and regain confidence in their ability to learn and participate in school; Ensuring that victims have access to medical care to address any physical health issues resulting from the violence and to offer preventive and supportive care; Maintaining strict confidentiality to protect the privacy of victims and reduce the risk of stigma or further trauma. Government should periodically review and update laws and policies to address emerging trends and challenges related to sexual violence; ensure that statutory instruments cover all aspects of sexual violence, including prevention, protection, and prosecution, and address the specific needs of children. The study also recommends that there should be parent and caregiver workshops to offer workshops for parents and caregivers on recognizing signs of abuse, discussing safety with children, and understanding their role in prevention.

A - 62 Sexual Trauma in the Autistic LGBTQ+ Community

Abstract Objective Individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities are more than twice as likely to be sexually abused than individuals without neurodevelopmental disabilities. Similarly, LGBTQ+ individuals experience greater instances of sexual assault than their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts. Using a qualitative approach, this study explored reports of sexual trauma in a sample of LGBTQ+ individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Method Participants were recruited electronically, by word of mouth, and using handouts disseminated throughout the Chicagoland community. In addition to reporting a diagnosis of ASD and identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community, participants had to be at least 18 years of age, independent of a legal guardian, and English-speaking. Sixty-four participants completed electronically-administered surveys with forced-choice and open-ended questions about their experiences of sexuality and gender identity formation. A secondary analysis was completed to identify participants who reported histories of sexual trauma. Results Five participants (7%) reported histories of sexual abuse. Two participants referenced learning about sex as a result of their abuse. One participant referenced their sexual abuse as a contribution to their identity formation as a queer, non-binary individual. Participants noted current personal struggles as a result of their trauma (e.g., sexual and relationship difficulties, loneliness, isolation). Conclusions Participant responses demonstrate the lasting, pervasive impact sexual assault has on social and emotional wellbeing. Findings from this analysis indicate a need for early educational opportunities for children regarding consent, boundaries, and sexual safety. Future research to address abuse and trauma prevention in sex education curriculum is warranted.

The dawn of a sexual assault relief center: A 12-year fact-finding survey of victims of sexual assault conducted since2010 by SACHICO, Japan's first rape crisis center.

In Japan, amidst insufficient legal provisions and governmental support, in 2010, the first rape crisis center, the Sexual Assault Crisis Healing Intervention Center Osaka (SACHICO) was established. We compared SACHICO visitor data from 2010 to 2021 with National Police Agency statistics to clarify the current situation of sexual assault victims in Japan and considered future issues for Japan to address. This study was a cross-sectional study that analyzed the data described below. All visitations to SACHICO between April 2010 and December 2021 were considered targets for data totaling. Data on crime statistics were gathered from the official governmental statistics portal site. A total of 12 036 visitations occurred, of which 3189 were first-time consultations; 3100 initial medical examinations were conducted, and no medical examination was conducted in the remaining 89 cases (2.7%). The number of initial medical examinations increased 3.7 times from 2010 to 2021. Victims under the age of 19 comprised 60% of the total number of initial medical examinations (1863/3100). The reporting rate for all 3100 initial medical examinations was only 31.3% (969/3100) of the cases. The proportion of forcible sexual intercourse versus forcible indecency were the converse of those observed among acknowledged cases nationwide and in Osaka Prefecture. For several years, the number of initial medical consultations at SACHICO has exceeded that of acknowledged cases in Osaka Prefecture. Support for victims of sexual assault in Japan is still insufficient. It is necessary to strengthen the system of rape crisis centers system to realize an unbroken chain of support for victims.

Multi-level correlates of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis discontinuation among English and Spanish-speaking transgender women of color in New York City: the TURNNT cohort study

Background Transgender women of color in the US are disproportionately vulnerable to HIV risks. Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) has demonstrated effectiveness in preventing HIV transmission among transgender women of color. However, factors across multiple levels can hinder oral PrEP adherence. Methods We analyzed the baseline data from The Trying to Understand Neighborhoods and Networks Among Transgender Women of Color (TURNNT) Cohort Study of women not living with HIV. We analyzed questionnaire responses to identify why participants stopped using PrEP and if they would consider taking it again. To identify multi-level determinants that were associated with PrEP discontinuation, we conducted bivariate analysis and created multivariable modified Poisson models comparing factors between former users and current users. Results Among 140 transgender women of color included in this analysis, 44.3% were currently on PrEP, 25.0% were on formerly on the regimen, and 30.7% had never used it. Participants reported many reasons for discontinuing PrEP, notably, 22.9% reported being concerned about interactions with hormones. 60.0% reported that they were likely to take PrEP again in the future. Discontinuation was positively associated with history of sexual assault (Prevalence Ratio: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.01, 3.14) and negatively with having a primary care provider (PR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.73). Conclusion Many factors can influence PrEP discontinuation among transgender women of color. A majority of those who discontinued PrEP were interested in restarting it again, indicating a potential for reengagement. We recommend a holistic approach to HIV prevention to reduce PrEP discontinuation.

Childhood Maltreatment, Revictimization, and Partner Violence Victimization Through Midlife: A Prospective Longitudinal Investigation.

Existing research suggests that prior victimizations during a person's lifetime, particularly childhood traumas and maltreatment, are risk factors for abuse and revictimization in adulthood, although longitudinal evidence is sparse. Using data from a 30-year ongoing longitudinal study of the long-term consequences of childhood maltreatment, this paper describes the extent to which childhood maltreatment predicts subsequent victimization and partner violence victimization at two time points in adulthood. Data were obtained from a prospective cohort design study in which children with court-substantiated cases of maltreatment (ages 0-11 years) and demographically matched controls were followed into adulthood and interviewed over several waves. Childhood maltreatment was assessed through juvenile and adult court records from 1967 to 1971 in a midwestern county area in the United States. Victimization experiences were assessed from 2000 to 2002 (Mage = 39.5 years) and 2009 to 2010 (Mage = 47.5) and included two types based on information from the lifetime trauma and victimization history instrument and questions about past year partner violence victimization. Individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment were more likely to report physical and sexual assaults and kidnapping and stalking victimization than controls through age 39.5. In contrast, the two groups did not differ at the later assessment at age 47.5, except maltreated individuals reported greater risk for sexual assault/abuse than controls. For intimate partner violence victimization at age 39.5, maltreated and control groups differed only in terms of victimization involving injury. Later in adulthood, more individuals with histories of childhood maltreatment reported partner physical violence victimization compared to controls. Although these longitudinal findings showed a general decline in victimization experiences over the two time points, these results demonstrate that childhood maltreatment increases risk for subsequent revictimization in middle adulthood, specifically for sexual assault/abuse and intimate partner physical violence victimization. These findings have implications for prevention and intervention efforts targeting maltreated children.

Victim Silence, Perpetrator Denial, and Institutional Shielding: An Archival Study of Gendered Power Imbalances in Sexual Assaults at Chinese Universities

Victim Silence, Perpetrator Denial, and Institutional Shielding: An Archival Study of Gendered Power Imbalances in Sexual Assaults at Chinese Universities

Temporal dynamics changes in the vaginal fluid microbiome: Implications for body fluid identification and estimating time since deposition (TsD) for forensics

Vaginal fluid analysis plays a crucial role in sexual assault investigations. However, vaginal fluid found at crime scenes is usually subject to a certain duration of exposure. This study thus aimed to assess the influence of different durations of exposure to indoor environment on the vaginal microbiota. The 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing was used on vaginal fluid samples exposed for short-term (30 days) and long-term (240 days), respectively. Despite potential contamination from environmental microorganisms, particularly following long-term exposure, the results indicated that the vaginal microbiota after exposure was still dominated by Lactobacillus. Both in short-term and long-term exposure involving vaginal fluid, there were clusters with time-dependent characteristics, wherein the relative abundances of associated microbial genera showed a trend of increasing or decreasing over time. In addition, each bodily fluid presented with a unique array of dominant bacterial genera, enabling the differentiation of exposed vaginal fluid samples from other bodily fluids (semen, skin, saliva, feces) with a remarkable 98.75 % accuracy rate. Furthermore, the mean absolute error achieved by the long-term deposition time prediction model was 13.54 days. The mean absolute error for the short-term deposition time prediction model was notably lower, reaching just 2.05 days. In summary, this study investigates the variations in microbial communities within vaginal fluid subjected to different indoor exposure durations and explores their potential in body fluid identification and estimating the time since deposition, thereby contributing valuable supporting evidence in forensic investigations.

Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Knowledge and Confidence in Providing Care for Transgender Patients Following Sexual Assault.

The transgender population experiences disproportionate rates of sexual assault (SA) compared with the cisgender population. Sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs) have specialized education to provide care to victims of SA across the lifespan; however, training related to the care of transgender individuals following sexual assault is not always represented in SANE education. This leads to a lack of knowledge and confidence in providing care to transgender victims and can result in inequitable care and poor outcomes. To explore forensic nurses' knowledge and confidence in the care of the transgender population following SA, a descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was employed and distributed to two professional forensic nursing organizations. A total of 240 survey responses were received. The majority of participants reported that content related to transgender sexual assault (TGSA) was not part of their SA education. Nearly 60% perceived their knowledge and confidence in providing TGSA care as "beginner" or "developing" and almost all "agree" or "strongly agree" that additional TGSA education would be beneficial to them. As over half of participants have provided care to a TGSA patient and more than 80% expect to provide care in the future, it is imperative include standardized content related to TGSA care as part of core SANE curriculum and to offer continuing education to address the gap in current SANE TGSA knowledge and practice.

Examining the Effect of Interviewee Behaviour in Assessing Sexual Assault Victim Credibility

Sexual assault victims face doubts of their credibility when disclosing their experiences. Because of the traumatic nature of the assault, victims behave and express their emotions uniquely, which may impact their perceived credibility. The current study examined how a victim’s behaviour impacts their credibility during an investigative interview. Participants (N = 240) read one of six transcripts, depicting the investigative interview of a fictional sexual assault case. The victim (a male or female) displayed one of three behaviours (typical: crying; atypical: laughing; or neutral). After reading the interview transcript, participants assessed the victim’s credibility using the Witness Credibility Scale. Findings showed that women were perceived to be more credible than men, regardless of emotional expression (p = .032, BF10 = 1.385). There were no differences in the credibility of victims as a function of interviewee behaviors (p = .593, BF10= 0.071).

Scoping review of the role of social support in women Veterans’ psychosocial and health outcomes

Women veterans are a steadily growing population and have unique military experiences (e.g., report high rates of sexual harassment and assault) that are impactful across the lifespan. High levels of positive social support have been linked to a range of positive outcomes in both civilian and military populations. However, research has not consistently explored social support and interpersonal functioning in women veterans, or as potential mechanisms of change within interventions for women veterans. This is a scoping review of peer-reviewed articles that evaluated social support. Articles with at least 10% women or formally evaluated sex or gender in reference to social support were included. A total of 69 studies evaluated social support in relation to women veterans’ health outcomes. From a biopsychosocial perspective, social support is an important construct to examine relative to health care engagement and response. Limited research considered aging women veterans needs or focused on the intersectional identities of women veterans. Positive social support can have major physical and mental health benefits, yet limited research and disparate methodological approaches minimize the ability to draw conclusions on how social support can best be leveraged to support women veterans. Women veterans’ roles and military experiences (e.g., increased likelihood of combat exposure) are changing and this population is aging. Research is needed to inform best practices for this growing segment of the veteran population.

Toward Analysis at the Point of Need: A Digital Microfluidic Approach to Processing Multi-Source Sexual Assault Samples.

Forensic case samples collected in sexual assaults typically contain DNA from multiple sources, which complicates short-tandem repeat (STR) profiling. These samples are typically sent to a laboratory to separate the DNA from sperm and non-sperm sources prior to analysis. Here, the automation and miniaturization of these steps using digital microfluidics (DMF) is reported, which may eventually enable processing sexual assault samples outside of the laboratory, at the point of need. When applied to vaginal swab samples collected up to 12h post-coitus (PC), the new method identifies single-source (male) STR profiles. When applied to samples collected 24-72h PC, the method identifies mixed STR profiles, suggesting room for improvement and/or potential for data deconvolution. In sum, an automated, miniaturized sample pre-processing method for separating the DNA contained in sexual assault samples is demonstrated. This type of automated processing using DMF, especially when combined with Rapid DNA Analysis, has the potential to be used for processing of sexual assault samples in hospitals, police offices, and other locations outside of the laboratory.

Focusing on men in campus sexual assault prevention education pays dividends

As the academic year begins and campuses enter the “Red Zone” — the time of year between orientation and Thanksgiving break when on‐campus sexual assault rates are most likely to spike — recent research points to the benefit of educating men specifically on campus sexual assault.