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Comparison of Sexual Coercion Experiences Reported by Men and Women in Prison

NCJ Number
235273
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 21 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2006 Pages: 1591-1615
Author(s)
Cindy Struckman-Johnson; David Struckman-Johnson
Date Published
December 2006
Length
25 pages
Annotation
This study compared incarcerated men's and women's sexual coercion experiences.
Abstract
Comparisons were made between self-reports from 382 men and 51 women who had experienced sexual coercion while incarcerated. Victim data were obtained from a sample of 1,788 male inmates and 263 female inmates who responded to an anonymous written survey distributed in 10 midwestern prisons. Men reported that their perpetrators in worst-case incidents were inmates (72 percent), staff (8 percent), or inmates and staff collaborating (12 percent). Women reported that their perpetrators were inmates (47 percent) and staff (41 percent). Greater percentages of men (70 percent) than women (29 percent) reported that their incident resulted in oral, vaginal, or anal sex. More men (54 percent) than women (28 percent) reported an incident that was classified as rape. Men and women were similar in feeling depression; however, more men (37 percent) than women (11 percent) reported suicidal thoughts and suicide attempts (19 percent for men, 4 percent for women). Implications of results for prevention of sexual coercion in prison are discussed. (Published Abstract)