Sexual Revictimization in Adult Women: Examining Factors Associated with Their Childhood and Adulthood Experiences

Abstract

Using data collected from a sample of adult women (n = 234), this study examined the relationship between the experience and disclosure of childhood sexual abuse and subsequent adult sexual violence. Multivariate analyses revealed that physical force during the childhood sexual abuse experience was significant in both children's decisions to disclose as well as in adult revictimization experiences. Furthermore, childhood disclosures were significantly associated with adulthood disclosures about revictimization, but only when there was no action following the childhood disclosure. The implications for enhancing training and education about understanding and responding to children and women's disclosures about sexual violence are discussed.

Keywords:

• child abuse disclosure
• sexual violence revictimization
• adulthood victimization disclosures

Acknowledgments

This project was supported by grant #2003-IJ-CX-1037 awarded by the National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, and U.S. Department of Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. The authors would like to acknowledge the support and work of Professor Margaret Severson as co–principal investigator on the grant. We also acknowledge the willingness and generosity of the women who told us their experiences.