Sexual Violence Victimization and Associations with Health in a Community Sample of African American Women

ABSTRACT

Limited information exists on the relationship between sexual violence victimization and health among African American women. Using data from a community sample of African American women, we examine the association between current health and lifetime experiences of sexual violence. In-person interviews were completed in 2010. Among interviewees, 53.7% of women reported rape victimization and 44.8% reported sexual coercion in their lifetime. Victims of rape or sexual coercion were significantly more likely to report depression and posttraumatic stress disorder during their lifetime. Among victims whose first unwanted sexual experience was rape or sexual coercion, perpetrators were mostly acquaintances and intimate partners, and over one third were injured and needed services. More attention is needed on the health needs of African American women and their association to victimization status.

KEYWORDS:

• Help-seeking
• negative health experiences
• rape
• sexual coercion

Acknowledgments

The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The authors acknowledge the passing of their coauthor, Dr. Merle E. Hamburger, before this article was completed. This article is dedicated to his memory for his commitment and contributions to youth violence and sexual violence research and prevention.