NCJ Number
218010
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior: A Review Journal Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: May-June 2007 Pages: 315-328
Date Published
May 2007
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This paper reviews current incidence and prevalence rates of sexual victimization and perpetration and the primary sources of these data, presents research on the most popular measure of sexual victimization and perpetration, the Sexual Experiences Survey, and discusses methodological changes in assessment resulting in increased rape disclosure by women and examined in relation to men’s reporting rates.
Abstract
In the assessment of sexual victimization of women and sexual aggression by men, the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) has demonstrated to be the instrument of choice. This resulted in the SES becoming the focal point of this review. The SES women’s version appears to possess good reliability and validity, as well as offering good clinical utility. While the male version demonstrates good reliability, additional studies are warranted and suggested with regards to the validity of male self-reports. Obtaining consistent and accurate rates of women’s sexual assault experiences and men’s history of sexual aggression has proved difficult and rates vary tremendously throughout the literature. This paper discusses current sexual victimization and perpetration incidence and prevalence rates. An overview of the major sources of these data, as well as a review of the methodological factors known to influence levels of rape detection in women is presented. An examination of how these issues may be relevant in the measurement of male sexual aggression is discussed, with suggestions for future research. References