Unacknowledged Rape: The Influences of Child Sexual Abuse and Personality Traits

Abstract

Evidence supports that the majority of young women who experience sexual victimization that meets the legal definition of rape do not label their experiences as rape—this has been termed unacknowledged rape. In a sample of 77 young adult women, the odds of unacknowledged rape significantly increased as a function of less severe child sexual abuse histories and greater levels of dysfunctional personality traits. Potential explanations for these findings as well as clinical implications are discussed. Because of the potential psychological and societal consequences of unacknowledged rape, it is vital that researchers continue to examine this phenomenon.

KEYWORDS:

• child abuse
• personality
• rape acknowledgment
• unacknowledged rape

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Laura C. Wilson

Laura C. Wilson, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychological Science at the University of Mary Washington.

Angela Scarpa

Angela Scarpa, PhD, is an associate professor in the Psychology Department at Virginia Tech.