Men enrolling in an abuse intervention program completed questionnaires (n=229) that included 17 items about sexually violent or coercive acts with their most recent female partner, ranging from emotionally coercing her to have sex against her will to physically forcing her to have sex with the perpetrator, other people, animals, or objects. Fifty-three percent of the men said they had committed at least one kind of sexual abuse. The most common act of abuse (40%) was emotionally coercing a partner to have sex when she did not want to. Fourteen percent of men used physical force at least once. Seventeen percent admitted to having sex with a partner when she was unable to consent (including while she slept).
These summaries were written by SVPEP staff and are based on original papers published within the last 6 years. The information available on this web site is provided as a public service and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, the Arizona Department of Health Services, or the University of Arizona. To conduct an individual search or locate older articles use the Search Summary Database which includes over 600 articles related to sexual violence.
Perpetration
Bergen, R. & Bukovec, P. (2006). Men and intimate partner rape: characteristics of men who sexually abuse their partner. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 21, 1375-1384.
Sun, 2006-10-01
Among men enrolled in an abuse intervention program, more than half said they had committed at least one kind of sexual abuse against their most recent female partner.
65% of men in the study were court-ordered to the intervention program, and one-third were self-referred. Almost half of the men were African-American. Care should be taken when reviewing the data in the study; the authors mix reports of their results with information from other studies, which may be confusing. Terms such as “sexual assault,” “rape,” and “sexual abuse” are used interchangeably.
Black, S., Weinles, D., & Washington, E. (2010). Victim strategies to stop bullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 8, 138-147.
Tue, 2011-12-06
Fighting is common strategy used by bullying victims and is perceived by bullying victims as more effective than reporting the incident.
This study examined strategies used by victims to stop bullying and the victim’s perception of each strategy’s success. Ten schools in 1 urban school district participated. The range of grades served by each school ranged from kindergarten to 8th grade. In 2006, The Philadelphia Bullying Survey (PBS) was developed based on the Olweus Bully Victim and administered to students by school staff. Findings indicated that 50% of students reported victimization and 10% reported more than one type of victimization. Males were more likely to report name-calling, physical aggression, and relational exclusion. Females were more likely to report rumor mongering and sexual comment or gestures. Supportive social networks acted as a protective factor. Strategies used by victims included: fighting back, ignoring the bullying, telling an adult at home, telling a peer, and telling an adult at school. Fighting back was seen as the most successful strategy for both genders. Victims who fought back were more likely to report using both passive and reporting strategies, and experiencing chronic victimization and fear. Students and staff should be educated on the consequences of fighting back and school policies should be altered to better respond to bullying.
Schools in the sample were deliberately chosen to participate in the study because of the high incidence of bullying reported at each school. Findings may not be generalizable to all school contexts and populations.
Bossarte, R. M., Simon, T. R., & Swahn, M. H. (2008). Clustering of adolescent dating violence, peer violence, and suicidal behavior. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 815-833.
Sun, 2009-02-01
Prevention efforts should address risk for suicidal ideation among adolescent victims and perpetrators of violence.
Data was collected in 2004 from 1,653 students from a racially and ethnically diverse high-risk high school. A survey was administered to measure dating violence, same-sex violence, and suicidal behavior. A 5 cluster method was used to identify groups of individuals with patterns of co-occurring traits or behaviors. The clusters were Low Violence, Peer Context, Dating Context, Psychological Abuse, and High Violence. Findings suggested that adolescents involved in general violence may be involved in dating and same-sex peer violence and youth that report the highest levels of interpersonal violence are at greater risk for suicidal behaviors.
Sample included youth who reported perpetration of violence or abuse from a high-risk urban school and there are limitations based on methodological analysis.
Bouffard, L. A., & Bouffard, J. A. (2010). Understanding men’s perceptions of risks and rewards in a date rape scenario. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, (online).
Wed, 2010-06-23
Rape supportive attitudes may determine how men identify the risks and rewards of date rape and the likelihood of engaging in date rape behaviors.
The purpose of this study was to examine how college men’s rape supportive attitudes are expressed in both intention to commit date rape and perceptions of the risk and rewards of the behavior. Participants included 129 male undergraduates from a university in the eastern United States. Participants were assigned to 1 of 3 conditions, presented with a hypothetical scenario, and asked to consider positive and negative outcomes of the scenario. One significant risk/reward pattern was identified: men who recognize a date rape situation as potentially criminal and yet report potential for continuing romantic or sexual relationships with a woman. Rape myths were more likely to be endorsed by this group and the group did not view the legal consequences as a real risk. To achieve long-term attitudinal and behavioral changes, prevention programs should focus on changing the perceptions of risks and rewards of sexual aggression.
The study did not measure prior sexual aggression which may shape perceptions of risks and rewards.
Alcohol | College | Perpetration | Risk
Brown, T. J., Sumner, K. E., & Nocera, R. (2002). Understanding sexual aggression against women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 17, 937-952.
Tue, 2002-01-01
This article describes a study of 139 male college students attending a predominantly White, midsize, Midwestern university.
Students responded to five questionnaires: the Psychosocial Function of Sports Scale (to assess sport ideology), a questionnaire measuring the types and amount of sports they participated in or viewed, the Attitudes Toward Women Scale (to measure attitudes towards women in society), the Coercive Sexuality Scale (to assess college males’ level of involvement in sexually coercive or aggressive behaviors), and a brief demographic questionnaire (which asked about age, class standing, and fraternity membership). Analysis of these data indicated that fraternity membership, conservative attitudes towards women, and viewing contact sports were significant predictors of sexual aggression against women. Higher scores predicted higher levels of aggression. Oddly, low scores on men’s contact sports participation also predicted higher levels of sexual aggression towards women.
Casey, E. A., & Beadnell, B. (2010). The structure of male adolescent peer networks and risk for intimate partner violence perpetration: Findings from a national sample. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 620-633.
Mon, 2011-03-14
Different types of risk for interpersonal violence perpetration may be found across peer networks.
This study examined how peer network types may be associated with risk for interpersonal violence perpetration among 3,030 male adolescents. The sample was drawn from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, in which 132 randomly selected high schools and feeder institutions participated between 1995 an 2001. The size, structure, gender, and delinquincy level of peer groups was analyized and used to identify 4 profiles of peer networks: dense male, dense female, popular, and averge networks. Findings indicated that males in the dense male group had significantly higher IPV rates than the popular group, and were higher than the other groups, but not significantly higher. Dense male networks reported higher levels of depressive symptoms and perceived peer rejection than the average and popular groups and higher rates of childhood physical abuse than the popular group. Those in the dense female group reported more depressive symptoms and rejection from peers than other groups. No peer group was free of risk from IPV perpetration. Violence prevention strategies should target specific risk factors at the peer level and interventions within peer groups may be warrented.
Information used to create peer networks was measured once and does not caputure socialization over time or if youth changed peer groups.
Davis, K. C., Norris, J., George, W. H., Martell, J., & Heiman, J. R. (2006). Men’s likelihood of sexual aggression: The influence of alcohol, sexual arousal, and violent pornography. Aggressive Behavior, 32, 581-589.
Sun, 2007-04-01
Men’s sexual arousal to a hypothetical rape story predicted their self-reported likelihood of acting like the aggressor in the scenario.
A total of 84 male social drinkers between 21-45 years old were randomly assigned to a group that received alcohol or a group that did not. Both groups were then asked to read one of two rape scenarios which differed by whether the victim experienced pleasure during the rape. Three factors related to sexual response were measured: alcohol intoxication; belief that intoxicated women were vulnerable to sexual coercion; and a victim’s positive sexual response to rape. The single factor that predicted reporting likelihood of sexual aggression was a high level of sexual arousal. Intoxication and belief in drinking women’s vulnerability were not directly linked to increased aggression, although they were related to arousal. Both sober and intoxicated men reported greater arousal when the victim’s response in the scenario was positive. If any of the factors were present without increased arousal, they were not related to increased aggression.
Testing only two levels of intoxication (sober or drunk), self-report of arousal without physiological measures, and lack of measurement of men’s actual aggressive behavior. The study did not look at how likely men were to report the probability of aggressive sexual behavior if they were not exposed to violent pornography.
Foshee, V. A., Reyes, H. L. M., & Ennett, S. T. (2010). Examination of sex and race differences in longitudinal predictors of the initiation of adolescent dating violence perpetration. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma, 19, 492-516.
Wed, 2011-03-30
Longitudinal predictors of dating violence perpetration vary by sex and race and may be useful for developing targeted primary prevention programs.
This study examined longitudinal predicators of dating violence perpetration among 1,666 adolescents in the 8th, 9th, and 10th grades from public schools in 3 nonmetropolitan counties in North Carolina. Participants completed questionaries from 2003 to 2004. Findings indicated that 16% (n=270) initiated dating violence between assessments and friends using dating violence was a predicator for perpetration among all groups. Race was found to be a predicator of dating violence perpetration, but sex was not. Black adolescents were more likely to initiate dating violence perpetration than White adolescents. Anxiety predicted perpetration by White adolescents and anger predicated perpetration among Black adolescents. Variables that predicated perpetration by girls included depression, marijuna use, and aggression against peers. Selective interventions for high-risk groups are warranted. Interventions targeted at girls should address depression, correlates and causes of depression, substance use, and aggression against peers.
A single item to assess dating violence was used; other racial/ethnic groups were not included in the study.
Kernsmith, P. D. & Kernsmith R. M. (2009). Gender differences in responses to sexual coercion. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 19, 902-914.
Fri, 2010-01-29
Males and females reported similar rates of sexual coercion, but emotional responses differed.
This study examined how prior abuse or victimization impacted reactions to sexual coercion with 732 undergraduate males and females from 2 Midwestern universities. Females reported higher coercion victimization on both the lies and obligation scales than males. Common emotional responses by females included: anger, being turned off, irritated, and disappointed. Males were more likely to report positive emotional responses to coercion. The most common emotional response reported by males were mixed feelings and ambivalence. Those who experienced more sexual coercion, intimate partner violence, and prior sexual abuse were more likely to report negative responses. The findings suggest that prevention programs should include skills building about healthy communication and boundaries and programs should be gender-neutral.
Definitions of unwanted sex versus nonconsensual sex may vary by individual.
Lacasse, A. & Mendelson, M. J. (2007). Sexual coercion among adolescents: Victims and perpetrators. Violence Against Women, 22, 424-437.
Sun, 2007-04-01
In a small sample of students in Grades 8-11, sexist beliefs were associated with being a victim of sexual harassment or coercion among girls and with perpetrating sexual harassment or coercion among boys.
Students in a suburban Quebec school were asked if other students had verbally harassed them, made non-coercive sexual contact (e.g., unwanted kissing) or attempted to obtain sexual favors using blackmail or force in the previous 3 months. They were also asked if they had perpetrated those acts on another student. The study included 37 students who reported being victimized and 21 who reported perpetrating the behavior. These groups were then compared with a matched control sample of students. Female students who were victims (n=27) were more likely to endorse sexist attitudes than other girls; boys who were perpetrators were more likely to endorse sexist attitudes than other boys. All victims were more likely to use drugs and alcohol than controls or perpetrators. Both victims and perpetrators were involved with more deviant behaviors than controls.
A small sample size; students were only asked about peer-related behaviors outside of romantic relationships, which may have resulted in underreporting of victimization; and the perceived severity of the experiences was not assessed.
Malamuth, N. M., Addison, T., & Koss, M. (2000). Pornography and sexual aggression: Are there reliable effects and can we understand them? Annual Review of Sex Research, 11, 26-91.
Sat, 2000-01-01
The authors are responding to recent critiques of their work.
Their responses delineate the arguments and data presented in those commentaries; integrate the findings of several meta-analytic summaries of experimental and naturalistic research; and statistically analyze a large representative sample. The responses support the existence of reliable associations between frequent pornography use and sexually aggressive behaviors, particularly for violent pornography and/or for men at high risk for sexual aggression. The authors suggest that relatively aggressive men interpret and react to the same pornography differently than do non-aggressive men. This perspective can help to integrate the current analyses with studies comparing rapists and non-rapists as well as with cross-cultural research.
McWhorter, S. K., Stander, V. A., Merrill, L. L, Thomsen, C. J., & Milner, J. S. (2009). Reports of rape perpetration by newly enlisted male navy personnel. Violence and Victims, 24, 204-218.
Fri, 2010-02-05
A majority of men who perpetrated attempted or completed rape by the end of the first year of military service perpetrated multiple incidents.
Between 1996 and 1997 the frequency and characteristics of repeated attempted and completed rape among 1,146 enlisted male navy recruits was examined. Results indicated that 13% of participants had perpetrated at least once attempted or completed rape between age 14 and the end of the first year of their military service. Among the lifetime incidents reported: 71% reported perpetrating two or more times, more likely to use substances than force, and knowing their victims. The findings illustrated that rape perpetration is as big of a problem among military personnel as within a civilian population. Authors suggested prevention programs be designed to decrease attempted and completed rape committed during military service and provide both men and women with information on building personal and professional relationships.
Prevention strategies were not specific to the military environment.
Morash, M., Jeong, S. J., & Zang, N. L. (2010). An exploratory study of the characteristics of men known to commit prisoner-on-prisoner sexual violence. The Prison Journal, (online).
Mon, 2010-04-12
A history of predatory behavior and criminal activity before and during imprisonment may be a predictor of inmate-on-inmate sexual violence perpetration among men.
This study examined 175 officially substantiated inmate-on-inmate sexual violence cases that occurred between 1998 and 2006 in one Midwestern state correctional facility. Officially substantiated cases were misconduct cases with hearing findings of guilt. Two different types of sexual incidents were identified: a threat, attempt, or actual penetration and unwanted touching (grabbing, rubbing, or fondling a sleeping inmate). Findings suggested that sexual abuse victimization as a child, serving a life sentence, and adult sexual assault convictions predicted perpetration of unwanted sexual touching. Sexual penetration was predicted by a history of juvenile robbery, adult sexual assault convictions, and more years in prison. For each additional year in prison, the likelihood of being a perpetrator of a penetration incident increased by 15.5%. Besides sex offender treatment while in prison and other interventions are needed to protect inmates from victimization.
Only substantiated cases of sexual violence were measured; results do not include other acts of sexual violence that may have occurred or were reported.
Noonan, R. K. & Charles, D. (2009). Developing teen dating violence prevention strategies. Formative research with middle school youth. Violence Against Women, 15, 1087-1105.
Wed, 2010-01-13
Teen dating violence and adult IPV may be prevented if prevention messages target youth before youth begin dating.
Twelve focus groups were conducted with 6th, 7th, and 8th, graders in Atlanta, Georgia. Students were asked about behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes about dating relationships. Topics included: characteristics of middle school dating relationships, healthy and unhealthy relationships, perceived relationship norms, emotional, physical, and sexual abuse, bystander interventions, and trusted sources for information about dating. Dominant themes emerged: abuse increased with age, dating relationships mimic traditional gender roles and are supported by peer relationships, slapping or grabbing were most commonly reported forms of physical violence, and grabbing and touching were most commonly reported forms of sexual abuse. African American youth had greater exposure to peer violence. Males reported that they may be hesitant to intervene in a violent situation because the bystander may be hurt as well as the victim. Implications for practice suggest skill building for bystanders to examine options of intervening safely. Prevention activities and messages should be tailored to subsets of youth by age, race/ethnicity, gender, and other social differences.
Findings may not be generalizable to other regions of the United States.
O'Donnell, L., Stueve, A., Myint-U, A., Duran, R., Agronick, G., & Wilson-Simmons, R. (2006). Middle school aggression and subsequent intimate partner physical violence. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35, 693-703.
Sun, 2006-01-01
Aggressive interpersonal behavior in eighth grade is predictive of both intimate partner violence perpetration and victimization in young adults.
Youth in three Brooklyn, NY schools completed a survey three times: in eighth grade, in high school, and as young adults (age 19-20) (N=977). They were asked about interpersonal violence experienced and perpetrated in school, and about domestic violence experienced or witnessed in the home. Demographic information was collected to see if there was a relationship between violence and gender, race/ethnicity, which parent(s) were living in the home, religious service attendance, school performance, substance use, and age at sexual initiation. For young adult females, being a victim of intimate violence was associated with witnessing or experiencing physical aggression in the home as a child and with substance abuse, and was not associated with early aggression or any other characteristics. Perpetrating partner violence was associated with early aggression or with witnessing/experiencing violence as a child. Females who were witnesses or victims of domestic aggression as children were 2-3 times as likely to report perpetration. Among young men, exposure to domestic physical violence as a child, early aggression and early sexual initiation were associated with perpetrating and experiencing partner violence. No other demographic characteristics were related to partner violence. For both males and females, violence in the home was the factor most strongly correlated with early aggression as well as perpetrating and being a victim of partner violence.
The sample in this study may not be representative of all youth. Because the most aggressive males had the highest attrition rate over the course of the study, male violence in relationships may be underestimated by the results. Only physical abuse was considered in this study.
Parkhill, M. R. & Abbey, A. (2008). Does alcohol contribute to the confluence model of sexual assault perpetration? Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 27, 529-554.
Mon, 2008-09-01
Men who reported higher levels of general alcohol behaviors and expectancies reported high levels of impersonal sex, hostile masculinity, and situational alcohol use.
This study expanded on past research on the Confluence Model of Sexual Assault Perpetration by examining how alcohol use may contribute to men’s likelihood of perpetrating sexual assault. Two key components of the Confluence Model were tested: impersonal sex and hostile masculinity. The sample consisted of 365 men at an urban university who were at least 21 years old, drank alcohol, and had heterosexual dating experiences within the past year. The survey measured delinquency, drinking behaviors and expectancies, impersonal sex, hostile masculinity, situational alcohol consumption, and sexual assault perpetration. At least one sexually aggressive act (making a woman have sex who clearly did not consent or who was unable to consent) was reported by 58% of the men, 48% perpetrated only when sober, 27% only when intoxicated, and 25% had perpetrated both when sober and intoxicated.
The confluence model developed for research with college students may not be generalizable to other community samples.
Parkhill, M. R., Abbey, A., & Jacques-Tiura, A. (2009). How do sexual assault characteristics vary as a function of perpetrators level of intoxication? Addictive Behaviors, 34, 331-333.
Sat, 2009-08-01
The amount of alcohol consumed by perpetrators of sexual violence is an important factor that influences the characteristics and consequences of sexual assault incidents.
Participants were 107 men who indicated that they used coercive strategies to force different types of sex on women since the age of 14. Alcohol consumption, sexual assault perpetration, and men’s perceptions of one assault were examined. Men identified as heavy drinking perpetrators were more likely to perceive the incident as serious, attributed responsibility to themselves, and reported that they learned something from the incident. Results indicated that alcohol may provide a perpetrator an excuse for their behaviors. Heavy drinking perpetrators misperceived sexual intentions for longer periods of time before assault, used more isolating and controlling behaviors during interactions with victims, used more physical force, and perpetrated more severe assaults. Only 4% of perpetrators reported that they did not know the victim. Implications for practice included that sexual assault prevention programs should discuss the effects that alcohol has on cognitive distortions, perceptions of women, and use of aggression.
The sample was largely African American (57%) and 40% were classified as heavy drinkers.
Purdie, M. P., Abbey, A., & Jacques-Tiura, A. J. (2010). Perpetrators of intimate partner sexual violence: Are there unique characteristics associated with making partners have sex without a condom? Violence Against Women, DOI:10.1177/1077801210382859.
Mon, 2011-03-14
Characteristics such as power and impersonal sex motives, differ among male perpetrators of intimate partner sexual violence who forced dating partners to have sex without a condom than perpetrators that did not force partners to have unprotected sex.
This study examined characteristics of intimate partner sexual violence among perpetrators who forced partners to have unprotected sex and those who did not. Male participants (n=225) were recruited from a large urban university who indicated that they had used some type of coercion to force sex on a female dating partner. Findings indicated that 47% had forced a partner to have sex without a condom. Perpetrators who forced partners to have unprotected sex were more accepting of using verbal pressure, held more positive attitudes towards casual sex, had intercoure more frequently, and physically assaulted and injured dating partners more frequently than perpetrators that did not force partners to have unprotected sex. No differences in sexual dominance and alcohol consumption during sex were found. Prevention and treatment programs should integrate information about sexual assault and sexual risk reduction.
This was a small sample from an urban university that assessed sexual violence with dating partners only and may not be generalizable to sexual partners they were not dating.
Reed, E., Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Decker, M. R., & Miller, E. (2011). Male perpetration of teen dating violence: Associations with neighborhood violence involvement, gender attitudes, and perceived peer and neighborhood norms. Journal of Urban Health, 88, 226-239.
Tue, 2011-12-06
Teen dating perpetration is more likely in adolescent males who participate in neighborhood violence, believe in traditional gender norms, and perceive peer and neighborhood norms related to violence.
This study examined whether neighborhood violence, beliefs in traditional gender norms, and perceived peer and neighborhood norms related to violence had an effect on the likelihood of male perpetration of teen dating violence (TDV). Adolescent males ages 14-20 were recruited from urban health care clinics in Boston to participate in the study. The sample included 275 adolescent males who reported having a female dating partner and a subsample of 134 from the 275 who reported having sex with a female partner. Results indicated that boys who were participated in neighborhood violence were more likely to report TDV perpetration. Boys who believed in traditional gender norms, perceived peers as perpetrating TDV, and those who perceived violent activity in their neighborhood were more likely to perpetrate TDV themselves. For all variables (i.e. participation in neighborhood violence, gender norm beliefs and perceived peer and neighborhood norms), TDV perpetration was more likely in boys who reported having sex with a female partner.
Recruitment for this study was only in clinics that served lower income urban populations and should not be generalized to the other populations.
Reed, E., Silverman, J. G., Raj, A., Rothman, E. F., Decker, M. R., Gottlieb, B. R., et al. (in press). Social and environmental contexts of adolescent and young adult male perpetrators of intimate partner violence: A qualitative study. American Journal of Men’s Health.
Tue, 2008-07-01
Social and environmental life contexts and their interaction should be considered when addressing male perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV).
This was a qualitative study that examined family, peer, school, and community contexts among male urban youth in New England who were perpetrators of IPV. Interviews were conducted with 25 young men from five school and community-based IPV intervention programs for male perpetrators. Themes that emerged from the interviews included; disruptive home environments, lack of positive male role models, peers who used substances, gang involvement, supporting behaviors of sexual mistreatment of females, lack of educational support, and impact of exposure to violence and/or fear of violence in their communities.
The qualitative findings only reflect the individual experiences of a small group of young men enrolled in IPV perpetration programs.
Rothman, E. F., Johnson, R. M., Azrael, D., Hall, D. M., & Weinberg, J. (2010). Perpetration of physical assault against dating partners, peers, and siblings, among a locally representative sample of high school students in Boston, Massachusetts. Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 164, 1118-1124.
Wed, 2011-01-05
Individuals who perpetrate physical violence against dating partners are likely to have perpetrated violence against peers and siblings.
This study examined the co-occurrence of physical assault against dating partners and violence perpetrated against peers and siblings during the past month among 1,398 public high schools students in Boston, Massachusetts. Findings indicated that approximately 19% of students reported physical dating violence perpetration, 41% reported peer violence, and 31% reported sibling violence. Girls (27%) reported perpetrating more physical dating violence than boys (10%). Perpetration of physical dating violence was lower among girls born outside of the United States (19%) than those born in the United States (29%). Among boys who reported perpetration of dating violence, 75% reported violence against peers and 56% against siblings. Among girls who perpetrated dating violence, 59% also perpetrated peer violence and 50% perpetrated sibling violence. Practitioners who focus on dating violence should take into account that there may be co-occurrence of physical dating violence perpetration and other adolescent problem behaviors (i.e., criminality, delinquency, & substance abuse).
The definition of dating violence is limited to physical violence and does not take into account sexual and other forms of violence. Results may not be generalizable to all public high school students in other parts of the United States.
Santana, M., Raj, A., Decker, M., La Marche, A., & Silverman, J. (2006). Masculine gender roles associated with increased sexual risk and intimate partner violence perpetration among young adult men. Journal of Urban Health, 83, 575-585.
Sun, 2006-10-01
Researchers found that men who believed in traditional male gender roles were more likely to have committed intimate partner violence within the past year than men with less traditional beliefs.
A group of 283 men, aged 18-35, were recruited at a community health center in Boston. The men were mostly Hispanic (74.9%) and Black (21.9%), and 55% were not born in the continental US. In the previous year, 40% reported committing one or more types of intimate partner violence (IPV): sexual violence (28.3%); physical violence (27.6%); and violence causing injury and/or need for medical services (13.8%). Men who had traditional male gender role beliefs were more likely to have committed intimate partner violence (IPV) within the past year and to have unprotected vaginal sex with a primary partner than men with less traditional beliefs. However, traditional beliefs were not associated with having multiple female partners, forcing unprotected sex, or engaging in unprotected anal sex. Levels of violence were the same regardless of race/ethnicity, country of origin, or acculturation. Only a low level of education (not having a high school diploma or GED) was associated with having traditional beliefs and with committing higher rates of IPV. The results do not imply a cause-and-effect relationship between IPV and traditional beliefs. However, interventions to reduce IPV and sexual risk among young men may be more successful if they promote less traditional gender role beliefs.
Schewe, P. A., Adam, N. M., & Ryan, K. M. (2009). A qualitative analysis of the temptation to use force in sexual relationship. Violence and Victims, 24, 219-231.
Wed, 2010-01-13
Men who reported behaving in a sexual manipulative way showed greater hypermasculinity and more adversarial sexual beliefs than those who showed less temptation to use force to obtain sex.
Eighty-three undergraduate males from a university in the Mid-west were asked questions about situations in which they may have been tempted to use force or coercion to obtain sexual contact, their thoughts about rape, and methods that men used to avoid engaging in sexual coercion. Twenty-two men reported that they had been tempted to use force one or more times and 4 of those incidents resulted in nonconsensual sex. Of those 22 situations, 10 involved alcohol or drugs. The majority of men in this sample endorsed rape myths even if they did not ever feel tempted to use force or coercion. Because of the lack of group differences in scores on the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale (RMA), authors suggested that RMA may need to be updated.
The sample included mostly white, heterosexual males who were 19 years old.
Silverman, J., Decker, M., Reed, E., Rothman, E., Hathaway, J., Raj, A., et al. (2006). Social norms & beliefs regarding sexual risk and pregnancy involvement among adolescent males treated for dating violence perpetration. Journal of Urban Health, 83, 723-735.
Sun, 2006-10-01
Beliefs about normal sexual behavior of men and women should be addressed when developing programs to reduce relationship violence and sexual risk.
The goal of this exploratory study was to generate hypotheses about the relationship between beliefs about sexual behavior and the practice of risky behaviors. Six focus groups were held with 34 young men aged 13-20 who were enrolled in dating violence programs because of actual abuse or concerns about their potential to abuse. Several major themes emerged from the groups. Participants believed that it was normal for men have multiple partners and that claims of sex gave men status. They described men as rationalizing rape to avoid thinking of themselves as rapists. They explained that men would not use condoms while high, or if putting a condom on gave a girl an opportunity to leave. They described hostile relations with women, who they believed usually lied about being raped. Participants believed men were not responsible for pregnancies because women used pregnancy to trick men into relationships.
Limitations of the study included the small sample, the inability to separate actual perpetrators from those merely at risk for dating violence, and the risk that focus group participants were trying to impress the researchers and each other.
Spitzberg, B. H. & Cupach, W. R. (2007). The state of the art of stalking: Taking stock of the emerging literature. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 12, 64-86.
Sun, 2007-04-01
The article provides a thorough overview and explanation of issues related to stalking based on the current published literature.
This meta-analysis summarizes the results of 175 studies of stalking. In addition to looking at variations in prevalence between studies, the authors considered the definitions of stalking and described the closely-related set of behaviors termed “obsessive relational intrusion.” The authors created systematic typologies of types of stalkers, stalkers’ motivations, and types of stalking behaviors. Victims’ coping responses and the effects of stalking are also categorized. The majority of stalking victims are women. Because the majority of victims (79%) were acquainted with the stalker, and because half of all stalking was related to romantic relationships, the authors recommended looking at most stalking not only as criminal behavior or psychopathology, but as a type of “relationship terrorism” similar to other types of domestic violence.
Swahn, M.H., Simon, T.R., Arias, I., & Bossarte, R.M. (2008). Measuring sex differences in violence victimization and perpetration within date and same-sex peer relationships. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23, 1120 - 1138.
Tue, 2008-07-01
This study highlights sex differences in the prevalence of physical violence and psychological aggression, victimization, and perpetration within dating and same-sex adolescent relationships.
In 2004, 4,131 students from a high-risk school district were assessed on dating and peer physical violence and psychological aggression. The objective of the study was to determine if boys’ and girls’ experiences of interpersonal violence differ by gender and grade level. Students completed an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire that asked about dating and same-sex peer violence victimization that occurred in the past 12 months. Results showed that several sex differences do occur in victimization and perpetration of physical violence in both relationship contexts. Females reported a higher incidence of reported physical violence perpetration within a dating context and boys reported more physical violence in same-sex peer relationships. Boys were more likely to inflict injury in both types of relationships. Experiences of interpersonal violence for boys and girls varied by age.
The findings of the study were based on students in a high-risk community; indicators of risk include poverty, unemployment, single parent households, and serious crimes.
Thompson, E. H. & Cracco, E. J. (2008). Sexual aggression in bars: What college men can normalize. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 16, 82-96.
Thu, 2010-01-07
Being sexual aggressive in bars is seen as a normative behavior among college-aged men.
Two hundred sixty-four men from 22 colleges and universities were administered a questionnaire about gender ideologies and sexual experiences. Results indicated that men’s sexual aggressive behaviors in bars be related to attitudes and expectations of masculinity. Men in bar settings may feel entitled to do masculinity. Masculinity beliefs in these settings encouraged men to behave in an assertive, tough, aggressive or violent ways. The most often used form of aggressiveness in bars was nonverbal behaviors such as grabbing a woman. The most sexually aggressive men were younger, heterosexual, unmarried, and support masculinity expectations. Results of this study indicated that sexual aggression can be normalized in specific settings and these norms permit sexual coercion.
The sample size from each of the 22 colleges and universities was small and participants were recruited by faculty peers and student recruiters.
Trach, J., Hymel, S., Waterhouse, T., & Neale, K. (2010). Bystander responses to school bullying: A cross-sectional investigation to grade and sex differences. Canadian Journal of School Psychology, 25, 114-130.
Wed, 2011-03-30
Bystander behaviors among those who witness bullying differ by age and sex.
This study examined sex differences in experiences of bullying, victimization, and bystander responses among 9,397 students, grades 4 to 11, from a suburban school district in Canada. Findings indicated that social bullying and victimization were reported more often than physical and cyber bullying. Boys reported participating in more physical, verbal, and cyber bullying and experienced more physical and verbal victimization than girls. Girls reported participating in more social bullying and experienced more social victimization. Younger students reported taking positive action when a witness to bullying than older students. Students in grades 4 and 5 reported intervening by telling the bully to stop, helping the victim, or talking to an adult. Older students were more likely to do nothing or utilize indirect and retaliatory strategies to get back at the bully. Bullying prevention programs should begin in elementary school and teach specific strategies that can be used to intervene in a bullying situation.
Participants were from one suburban school in Canada and results may not be generalizable to students from other school districts in Canada or in the United States.
Ullman, S. E., & Najdowski, C. J. (2010). Understanding alcohol-related sexual assaults: Characteristics and consequences. Violence and Victims, 25, 29-44.
Mon, 2010-08-23
Assaults prior to which only the perpetrator drank alcohol differed from non-alcohol related assaults and assaults in which both the perpetrator and victim consumed alcohol.
This study examined characteristics of sexual assault and post-assault experienced among 969 female victims in the Chicago metropolitan area. Characteristics of the perpetrator and the role alcohol played in the assault were also examined. Findings indicated that alcohol-related assaults were more severe, resulted in more physical injuries, and involved multiple perpetrators. Among assaults in which only the perpetrator was drinking, victims reported more fear for their lives, more post-assault distress, use of more assertive resistance strategies, and less self-blame compared to non-alcohol related assaults. Women who reported drinking prior to assault reported more self-blame. Authors suggested that victim and perpetrator drinking should be considered when prevention strategies are designed.
Participants included women who answered local newspaper advertisements in the Chicago area and were only questioned about their most serious sexual assault experience.
White, J. W. & Smith, P. H. (2009). Covariation in the use of physical and sexual intimate partner aggression among adolescent and college-aged men: A longitudinal analysis. Violence Against Women, 15, 24-43.
Sun, 2009-02-01
Covariation of physical and sexual aggression may be a unique form of perpetration.
This longitudinal study investigated physical and sexual aggression of males from high school through four years of college. Data was gathered using a series of surveys from 3 groups of males aged 18-19 who were entering college. Results indicated, 49% of men reported at least 1 incident of physical or sexual aggression and 10.9% reported at least 1 incident of both physical and sexual aggression. The frequency of aggression declined over time but was higher in adolescence and the 2nd year of college. Men who reported being in exclusive relationships reported more physical aggression during the first two years of college. The effect of childhood victimization was strongest during adolescence and decreased over time. Men who witnessed domestic violence or experienced physical punishment during childhood had greater likelihood of co-perpetration. Prior years of perpetration were the best predictors of future perpetration.
It was not determined if co-perpetration is qualitatively or quantitatively different from other forms of perpetration.
Windle, M. & Mrug, S. (2009). Cross-gender violence perpetration and victimization among early adolescents and associations with attitudes toward dating conflict. Journal of Youth & Adolescence, 38, 429-439.
Sat, 2009-08-01
Attitudes toward dating conflict may be used as an indicator for future behaviors in dating relationships. Cross-gender victimization and perpetration may have different risks for boys and girls.
A developmental ecological model was used to examine associations between cross-gender (e.g., female-to-male) violence and attitudes toward dating conflict among 601 fifth grade students. A path model was used to identify multi-variable influences that may predict attitudes toward dating conflict among early adolescents. Girls were more likely than boys to perpetrate cross-gender violence and reported more hostile attitudes toward dating conflict. Those who reported cross-gender victimization stated that they would be more likely to use coercive and abusive methods to resolve conflicts. Boys were more likely to report cross-gender victimization. Parenting, peer, and neighborhood factors contribute to cross-gender violence, but differences were reported between genders. Parental harsh discipline, neighborhood hazards, and lower family income were more significant predictors for boys. Implications for practice included: prevention efforts that target both genders during early adolescence, reduction of disruptive behaviors, and social skills and cognitive-behavioral training to promote prosocial responses to anger.
The path model examined attitudes toward dating conflict not actual dating behaviors.
Wolak, J., Finkelhor, D., Mitchell, K. J., & Ybarra, M. L. (2008). Online "predators" and their victims: Myths, realities, and implications for prevention and treatment. American Psychologist, 63, 111-128.
Tue, 2008-04-01
Prevention efforts based on myths about online sexual abuse are likely to be ineffective.
This article summarizes current research on online sexual victimization and compares it to media accounts. The authors identify the known characteristics of online crimes, victims, and offenders, using data from the nationally representative Youth Internet Safety Surveys (YISS) and the National Juvenile Online Victimization Study (N-JOV). The YISS studies surveyed Internet users aged 10-17, and the N-JOV study collected information from law enforcement agencies on Internet-related sex crimes with underage victims.
The authors note that only 5% of crimes from the N-JOV study involved the use of force, and none involved children under the age of 12. They suggest that the emotional immaturity and strong sexual feelings of young adolescents may lead them to develop romantic attachments to people they meet online. The authors point out that traditional therapeutic treatment that emphasizes recovery from abuse may not be appropriate for youth who do not identify as victims, and that new models need to be developed. They recommend that prevention efforts with adolescents be targeted, age-appropriate, and include frank discussions of sexuality and the hazards of relationships with older people. Finally, they caution that the dynamic and evolving sphere of electronic communication, including text messaging and new online technologies, make continuing research into monitoring online environments essential to prevent victimization.