Forced sex among youth: accrual of risk by gender identity, sexual orientation, mental health and bullying

Abstract

Forced sex is a major issue experienced by individuals of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations. Little is known about how LGBQ, transgender, and non-binary young people experience sexual violence. This study examines experiences of forced sex, exploring the intersection of sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as how other socio-demographic and mental health variables are related to differential risk of forced sex. Young people who experience sexual orientation and gender identity marginalization were at elevated risk for experiencing sexual violence. Forced sex was also associated with negative mental health outcomes and bullying victimization. More inclusive sexual violence prevention and support programing for young people and methodological improvements in the way we examine sexual orientation and gender identity in research are needed.

Keywords:

• Sexual violence
• forced sex
• transgender
• cisgender
• LGBQ
• sexual orientation
• gender identity
• youth

Notes on contributors

Brittanie Atteberry-Ash, MSW (she, her, hers) is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Denver. She is a community practice researcher who focuses on social policy, social work education, social justice, and LGBTQ communities and issues.

Dr. N. Eugene Walls, (he/him/his) is a community practice specialist whose work focuses on risk and resilience of marginalized communities; social work education about issues of power, privilege, and oppression; and modern forms of prejudice. His scholarship has primarily examined these issues as they relate to the LGBTQ community. Topics have included examination of protective factors/resilience, interventions, and lived experiences such as parenting in the transgender community; impact of gay-straight alliances and the role of safe adult allies on LGBTQ young adults; development of heterosexual allies; smoking cessation programs; and religion and religiosity as supports of resilience. Dr. Walls is a faculty member at the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver.

Shanna K. Kattari, PhD is a queer disabled researcher based at the University of Michigan in the School of Social Work and Department of Women's Studies. Her extant research focuses on understanding how power, privilege and oppression systematically marginalize, exclude, and discriminate against people regarding their identities/expressions through negative attitudes, policies reinforcing oppression, oppressive actions and isolation. Her work centers on disability and ableism, and transgender/non-binary (NB) identities and transphobia, using an intersectional lens.

Sarah M. Peitzmeier, PhD is a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Sexuality and Health Disparities at the University of Michigan School of Nursing. Her research focuses on the epidemiology and prevention of and violence against women, LGBT populations, and other marginalized groups, and the intersections between violence and sexual health.

Leo Kattari, MSW (he, him, his) is a passionate advocate for health equity and social justice with over a decade of experience in the areas of health education, organizational development, community mobilization and organizing, policy, public health data and evaluation. Leo's work has an emphasis on transgender justice, LGBTIQA health, leadership pipelines, youth development, and advocacy through story-telling. He is invested in community driven and data informed action that advances health equity through public policy, funding priorities, and innovative systems change.

Lisa Langenderfer-Magruder, PhD, is a jointly appointed Postdoctoral Scholar with the Florida Institute for Child Welfare and the Florida State University College of Social Work. Her research focuses on systemic collaboration in human services, with particular attention to work with intimate partner violence and child welfare. Currently, she is the co-investigator of a program evaluation of Florida's Early Childhood Courts and project manager of the Florida Study of Professionals for Safe Families.