NCJ Number
196437
Journal
Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2002 Pages: 13-19
Date Published
2002
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This study documented the psychological impact of forced sexual activity within the context of racially motivated hate crimes.
Abstract
The study sample was composed of 187 men of color (47 percent African-American, 21 percent Latino, 18 percent Asian-American/Pacific Islander, 8 percent American-Indian, and 5 percent biracial/multiracial). They were recruited at the Burbank or Los Angeles International Airports in California. They all completed the Kinsey Sexual Orientation Identity Continuum Score, a seven-point scale item that assesses sexual-orientation identity based on a self-report of behavior. They also completed the Fear of Rape Inventory-Revised. This inventory was developed for use in dissertation research to assess fear of rape in women. In the current study, the latter instrument posed questions about the subject's history of racially motivated hate crimes (including male sexual assault) and anxiety level in 19 contexts. Eighteen of the men reported having a history of male sexual assault during racially motivated hate crimes. Compared with men who did not report having a sexual assault history, these men were more likely to have involvement with both male and female survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault. In addition, these men were more likely to report being gay or bisexual and to show an elevated hate crime anxiety total score. Similarly, their hate-crime anxiety total score was positively related to their forced sexual activity anxiety total score. The implications of these findings for future research and clinical practice are discussed. 4 tables and 35 references