Sexual Victimization and Associated Risks Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women

Date

2013

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Violence Against Women

Abstract

This study examines relationships among childhood sexual abuse (CSA), risky alcohol use, and adult sexual victimization among bisexual and lesbian women. Half (51.2%) of women reported CSA and 71.2% reported adult sexual victimization. Perpetrators were generally male, and 56.4% of women’s most recent adult sexual victimization incidents occurred after coming out. Regression results indicated that adult sexual victimization severity was associated with a bisexual identity, more severe CSA history, more lifetime sexual partners, and higher alcohol severity scores. Compared to lesbians, bisexual women reported more severe adult sexual victimization experiences, greater revictimization, riskier drinking patterns, and more lifetime male sexual partners. (Author Abstract)

Description

Keywords

child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual identity, LGBTQ, young adult, revictimization, risk factors, ethnicity, research

Citation

Hequembourg, Amy L. ; Livingston, Jennifer A. ; Parks, Kathleen A. (2013). Sexual Victimization and Associated Risks Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women. Violence Against Women, 19(5), 634-657

DOI