Sexual Assault Risks Among Gay and Bisexual Men

Abstract

The goal of this study was to examine lifetime patterns of sexual assault and associated risks among a purposive sample of gay and bisexual men (N = 183; 18 to 35 years old, M = 24.3). Cross-sectional data were collected via written, self-administered questionnaires and face-to-face, event-based qualitative interviews. Alcohol severity scores indicated high rates of hazardous drinking (53.0%) and possible dependence (14.2%) among participants. One-half of men (50.8%) reported childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and 67.2% reported adult sexual assault (ASA). Average age at most recent ASA was 21 years. Most perpetrators (83.9%) of recent ASA incidents were male; 67.0% of participants reported consuming alcohol and/or drugs prior to the most recent incident. Regression findings indicated more severe CSA experiences and past alcohol-related problems predicted recent severe ASA. Although we found similarities between gay and bisexual men in lifetime sexual assault history, we found some distinct differences in ASA risk factors. Bisexual men reported higher alcohol severity scores, more female ASA perpetrators, higher internalized homophobia scores, and fewer male sexual partners than gay men. Findings suggest the need for interventions that reduce ASA risk among sexual minority men—and the potential benefits of focusing on alcohol consumption in risk reduction efforts.

Notes

Note. N = 183. Totals may not equal 100% due to missing cases.

*p < .001.

*p < .05. ***p < .001.

Note. Recent severe sexual assault: higher scores = more experiences of recent severe adult sexual assault; Sexual identity: 1 = gay, 2 = bisexual; Child sexual abuse: higher scores = more severe childhood sexual assault experiences; Internalized homophobia: higher scores = greater internalized homophobia; Lifetime male partners: higher scores = more male sexual partners in lifetime; Past alcohol problems: 0 = no, 1 = else.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

Note. Sexual identity: 1 = gay, 2 = bisexual; Child sexual abuse: higher scores = more severe childhood sexual abuse experiences; Internalized homophobia: higher scores = greater internalized homophobia; Lifetime male partners: higher scores = more male sexual partners in lifetime; Past alcohol problems: 0 = no, 1 = else. N = 160.

*p < .05. **p < .01.

¹Gay men reported no female perpetrators in their most recent sexual assault.

² Intimate partners was a researcher-applied term that included perpetrators who were dating-partners, boyfriends, cohabiting partners, and spouses.