The author reviewed published articles on sexual violence in rural areas in the United States. The emphasis of the studies included prevalence, risk factors, attitudes, and factors affecting reporting and service utilization. Prevalence rates of forced and coerced sexual intercourse varied by study, from 10% to 30% among females, and 5% among males (most studies did not include males). Non-stranger assaults accounted for 78%-100% of all assaults. A major factor contributing to risk and barriers to reporting and accessing services in rural areas was high acquaintance density, making non-stranger assault more likely and confidentiality difficult. For example, victims were likely to know or be related to law enforcement and medical personnel. Physical isolation and lack of resources, such as phone service and transportation, were also identified as risks and barriers. High levels of victim-blaming attitudes were found in rural areas, contributing to victims’ self-blame and stigmatization in their communities. Two studies reported decreased levels of victim-blaming attitudes after educational interventions. Suggested areas for future research include characteristics of rural survivors (e.g., prior victimization, income, and race/ethnicity). Studies should also examine risk factors and the physical and mental health impacts of sexual violence in rural populations.

This study included a methodological review of the literature that measured the magnitude of rape against AI/AN women. The authors compared the contextual characteristics of rape and sexual assault victimization among AI/AN women to African American and White women using data from the National Crime Victimization Survey from 1992 to 2005. Findings indicated that AI/AN women were twice as likely to be assaulted by offenders who were armed. AI/AN women were more likely to be hit, physically injured, and require medical care than African American and White women. The majority of assaults against AI/AN women were interracial. Assaults against AI/AN were more likely to be reported to the police, but less likely to result in arrest and conviction than African American and White women. To obtain more reliable estimates, future surveys should over sample AI/AN women.

The paper explores the effects that gender role socialization and heterosexism have on same-sex abusive relationships and stigma and barriers to reporting abuse.  It summarizes similarities and differences of heterosexual and same-sex couples.  A framework for professionals and issues created by minority stress are also discussed.

Phone interviews were conducted with 149 women who were enrolled as college students near the Texas-Mexico border.  The interviews were structured to assess physical violence (PV), battering, sexual violence (SV), stalking psychological abuse, and lifetime physical violence.  Results indicated that 43% of women experienced some type of PV, 5.1% experienced SV, 19.7% were stalked and 30% experienced psychological abuse.  Co-occurrence of violence was evident among those who reported physical or sexual violence.  The probability of viewing violence as a problem increased with frequency of physical violence.

Over a 9 year period, 2,399 women were evaluated after presenting to emergency department after a sexual assault to determine if characteristics of assault differ as women age.  Three different age groups were examined; 20-39 years, 40-55 years, and 55 years of age and older.  Some of the characteristics that varied by age included; location of assault, relationship to perpetrator, number of perpetrators, likelihood of impairment at time of assault, body trauma, and genital trauma.

The purpose of this study was to validate the accuracy of a revised version of the Danger Assessment (DA) instrument in assessing risk for re-assault by an abusive female partner among LBT women.  In Phase 1 risk factors from the original DA were reviewed and input was received from victims and perpetrators about factors that were relevant to abusive female same-sex relationships.  In Phase 2 the original DA and new risk factor items were evaluated by interviewing a sample of women. The new assessment tool identified several predictors of re-assault: an increase in physical violence, constant jealousy or possessiveness, cohabitation, threats or use of gun by abuser, illegal drug use or abuse of prescription medication by abuser, stalking, failure of individuals to take victim seriously when seeking help, fear of reinforcing negative stereotypes, and secrecy of abuse.

This study examined the association between sexual victimization and hazardous drinking among 953 adult women. Data was collected from the 2001 National Study of Health and Life Experiences of Women and the 2000 Chicago Health and Life Experiences (CHLEW) study. Hazardous drinking, childhood sexual abuse (CSA), adult sexual assault (ASA), and revicitimization was compared among women who identified as exclusively heterosexual (n=502), mostly heterosexual (n=32), bisexual (n=16), mostly lesbian (n=100), and exclusively lesbian (n=303). Exclusively lesbian, mostly lesbian, and bisexual women were more likely to report early drinking onset, CSA, and higher hazardous drinking levels than exclusively heterosexual women. Mostly heterosexual women were more likely to report ASA. Women who reported both CSA and ASA reported higher levels of hazardous drinking. Health care providers should be aware that women with alcohol-related problems may have histories of sexual victimization and providers should understand that sexual minority women may be at higher risk of hazardous drinking.

This article describes ethnographic interviews with ten young, homeless men who have sex with men in New York City. It describes the "street capital" these men have accumulated as they have participated in the street economy as sex workers, and the "street competencies" these men have learned while surviving on the street. The article argues that these men began to accumulate "street capital" at an early age through experiences in various institutions, including their family, foster care, schools, hospitals, and jails. Combined with homelessness, different types of street capital combined with street competencies to result in street careers as sex workers participating in the street economy.

This study examined the reasons male inmates perceived that their peers do not report sexual assault among 396 inmates in 8 Texas prisons. This study is part of a larger project, The Prison Climate Survey. The three most common reasons inmates believed that sexual assault is not reported are embarrassment, retaliation from other inmates, and a fear of harassment and continued victimization by other inmates. Older inmates and minority populations were more likely to report a fear of harassment as the primary reason to not report. Inmates who were more educated reported that fear of retaliation was the primary reason not to report. Inmates in facilities with more correctional officers were more likely to report not wanting to be placed in safekeeping as a result of reporting. Inmates should be educated on sexual assault and inmates who feel most marginalized (older & minority inmates) should be targeted for additional education programs. Inmates should receive certain protections if they report sexual assault.

This article compares the sexual health risks taken by homeless youth who identify as gay, lesbian, or bi-sexual to those taken by homeless youth who identify as heterosexual. Survey data collected from 425 homeless adolescents between 16 and 20 years of age were analyzed. More gay and lesbian youth reported sexual abuse, and being tested and treated for HIV than heterosexual youth. Gay and lesbian youth also scored lower on measures of assertive communication. Among gay, lesbian, and bi-sexual respondents, more males than females identified as homosexual and more females than males identified as bi-sexual.

Data from the 2005 Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was used to examine intimate partner sexual and physical abuse experienced by women with disabilities.  Results indicated that women with disabilities were about 2 times as likely to be threatened, experience attempted violence, physically abused, and experience unwanted sex.  Gender and disability were the most significant factors that increased the likelihood of all forms of violence.  Implications for practice included that professionals need to screen and develop interventions to address violence among women with disabilities.

This study examined the relationship between community attitudes towards LGBTQ persons and responses toward sexual assault survivors using an on-line survey and 4 focus groups in the Pacific Northwest. Participants (130) were recruited using a listserv of sexual and domestic violence social service activists and providers, sexual violence agency bulletin boards, and 2 organizations that provided services to the LGBTQ community. Findings suggested that sexual violence is not generally discussed in the LGBTQ community in order to protect community from additional discrimination and because of gaps and barriers to services. The authors suggested that LGBTQ friendly practices should be incorporated into mainstream systems and cultural competency training should include same-sex issues.

This article examined sexual harassment experiences among 150 Mexican immigrant female farm workers in California. The study focused on factors that increased women’s risk of sexual harassment, how female farm worker’s experiences may differ from other groups of women, and how power and agency limit response options are specifically discussed. Results indicated that 97% of the women reported sexual harassment from coworkers and superiors and of those, 53% reported physical and verbal advances, gross sexual imposition, and rape. Twenty-four percent of women who reported harassment also reported sexual coercion or on-the-job blackmail. Women reported a variety of responses that ranged from confronting to ignoring the perpetrator and several physical and psychological health effects. Female farm workers should be made aware of sexual harassment policies and their right to work in safe environments. Perpetrators, contractors, and agricultural companies must be held accountable for their actions.

To estimate the prevalence of sexual violence in a prison system, male (n=6,964) and female inmates (n=564) in twelve prisons in a small eastern state completed a computer-assisted survey. Inmates were asked about incidents involving abusive sexual contact and non-consensual sex acts by other inmates or by prison staff within the last 6 months. Females reported inmate-on-inmate sexual violence at 212 incidents per 1000 inmates while males reported only 43 incidents per 1000 inmates. Rates of non-consensual sex (inmate on inmate) were 32 per 1000 for women and 15 per for men. Staff-on-inmate sexual victimization rates were the same for men and women (76 per 1000), with men reporting 19 per 1000 incidents of non-consensual sex vs. 17 per 1000 for women. This study had a good response rate (average 39%) from all inmates housed in general population. Because rates of sexual violence varied by the site, future studies should look at factors that can minimize risks. Inmate experiences of trauma and disease from forced sex should be addressed to prevent them from contributing to the ill health of their community when they are released.