Why Us? Toward an Understanding of Bisexual Women's Vulnerability for and Negative Consequences of Sexual Violence

ABSTRACT

As the literature on sexual violence and its relationship with sexual orientation in women continues to grow, one issue is becoming clear: the need to investigate bisexuality as a correlate of sexual violence and of greater negative outcomes following such violence. Although several studies have noted higher rates and negative consequence of sexual violence in bisexual women, few have attempted to unravel the connections between bisexuality and victimization. In this theoretical article, the authors offer several potential explanatory variables as well as a call for more in-depth research into the unique risks suffered by bisexual women of all races. Drawing from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's ecological model of sexual violence and multiple fields of research, the authors map the potential origins and explanations of these risks by connecting the sexual violence literature with research into heteronormativity and homo/biphobia, studies of intimate partner violence, cultural analyses of media representation of women's sexuality, and contemporary understandings of trauma following sexual violence victimization.

KEYWORDS:

• Bisexuality
• women
• risk
• discrimination

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nicole L. Johnson

Nicole L. Johnson, PhD, is an assistant professor in the Department of Education and Human Services at Lehigh University. Her research is dedicated to the exploration and implementation of prevention programming (primary, secondary, and tertiary) for gender-based violence (e.g., rape, intimate partner violence, trans* violence).

MaryBeth Grove

MaryBeth Grove, MA, received her master's in human development and social intervention from New York University and is currently a graduate student in the Counseling Psychology program at Lehigh University. Her research interests include sexism, sexual minority women, and sexual violence.