NCJ Number
112032
Date Published
1988
Length
17 pages
Annotation
Twenty-two men who had been forcibly sexually assaulted particpated in this British study to determine the circumstances of the attacks and the effects on the victims.
Abstract
The sample was obtained through solicitations in several national daily newspapers and gay periodicals. Respondents completed an extensive questionnaire covering demographic information, circumstances of the assault, and postassault reactions. Fight of the respondents participated in semi-structured interviews. Information was obtained on the sexuality of victims and assailants (homosexual, bisexual, or heterosexual), relationship between victim and offender, circumstances of the attack, nature of the attack, and responses to the attack. Principal long-term pschological reactions to the assault were an increased sense of vulnerability, increased anger/irritability, conflicted sexual orientation, lowered self-respect and self-image, and emotional distancing. Behavioral effects were security precautions, sexual dysfunction, and rape-related phobias. Overall, the male victim responses to sexual assault were similar to those of female sexual assaut victims. 12 references and 2 tables.