Case Illustrations of Negative Sexual Experiences Among University Women in Japan: Victimization Disclosure and Reactions of the Confidant

• NCJ Number: 218172
• Journal: International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology Volume: 51 Issue: 2 Dated: April 2007 Pages: 227-242
• Author(s): Masayo Uji; Masahiro Shono; Noriko Shikai; Toshinori Kitamura
• Date Published: April 2007
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study retrospectively explored the negative sexual experiences (NSEs) among 532 Japanese university women, particularly concerning victim disclosure and reactions of the confidant.

Abstract

The findings suggest that NSEs are prevalent among young Japanese women, which is consistent with previous research conducted in Western societies. Also, while the reaction of the confidant influenced the attitudes of the victims, it did not influence them in uniform ways. Results indicated that over one-third of the participants reported at least one NSE during their lifetime. Moreover, two-thirds of these women were victimized by strangers. Women who experienced NSEs with well known perpetrators were more likely to be repeatedly victimized. One-sixth of the participants did not disclose the NSE incident. Participants who were older at the time of the NSE were more likely to disclose the incidents than were participants who were younger at the time of the NSE incident. Women who disclosed the NSE quickly were more likely to make full disclosure than those who waited longer to disclose the incident. The women victimized by strangers were most likely to make full disclosure. Less than 10 percent of the disclosers reported disappointment with the reaction of the confidant. Participants were not negatively impacted when the incident was viewed by the confidant as less serious or when they were criticized by their confidant. On the other hand, confidants who gave instrumental support were not always supportive in their efforts. The study involved the dissemination of a NSE questionnaire to all female students at five Japanese universities. The questionnaires were completed by 532 students and probed details of the NSE and their disclosure experiences. Statistical analyses were used to examine the data. Future research should seek to replicate the findings of this study. Tables, references