Childhood Risk Factors for Women's Sexual Victimization

• NCJ Number: 209709
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 17 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2002 Pages: 647-670
• Author(s): Lana Stermac; Donna Reist; Mary Addison; Golden M. Millar
• Date Published: June 2002
• Length: 24 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Through an investigation of childhood factors and background characteristics associated with enhanced vulnerability for sexual assault victimization in adulthood, this study examined a broad range of childhood experiences associated with risk for sexual assault victimization in adulthood.

Abstract

Past research has found that the long-term effects of childhood victimization and abuse are clearly linked with the development of both physical and psychological health problems in adolescence and adulthood. Childhood maltreatment and abuse research is focused on specific developmental risk factors for sexual victimization of females throughout the life span. This study examined a broader range of childhood experiences, such as adult and peer perpetrated maltreatment experiences and family background variables, than have been previously investigated as risk factors for women’s sexual assault victimization. The study examined whether a cluster of maltreatment variables, hypothesized to be critical to sexual development, would pose the greatest risk for women’s sexual victimization. Study participants consisted of 277 adult women attending outpatient clinics in Canada specializing in women’s health. Self-report questionnaires were used to assess demographic characteristics, family background, presence and severity of childhood maltreatment, and sexual experiences at various developmental points. The results of the study suggest that the major risks for adult sexual victimization in this community-based sample of women were related to two main clusters of childhood experiences: sexual abuse or early sexual experiences and aspects of parental caretaking. The results may suggest that peer relationships are not as critical to the development of specific vulnerability for women’s sexual victimization in adulthood, as is the early home environment and experiences with adults. Tables and references