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Condom Use During Sexual Assault

NCJ Number
310110
Journal
Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine Volume: 20 Issue: 6 Dated: August 2013 Pages: 605-609
Author(s)
Eryn Nicole O'Neal; Scott H. Decker; Cassia Spohn; Katharine Tellis
Date Published
August 2013
Length
5 pages
Annotation

This paper reports on the analysis of 841 sexual assault complaints from three law enforcement agencies; it notes the descriptive data analysis, logistic regression analysis to examine motivations for condom use during assault, and discusses findings.

Abstract

This study examines questions about forced unprotected sex. Study objectives include assessing the prevalence of condom use in sexual assault and improving our understanding of the correlates of condom use in sexual assault. The authors analyze 841 sexual assault complaints reported to three law enforcement agencies. Descriptive data are used to assess the prevalence of condom use in sexual assault and to examine the contextual factors associated with condom use in sexual assault. They conduct logistic regression analysis to examine motivations for condom use during sexual assault. Condom use prevalence rates across the sites range from 11.7 percent to 15.6 percent. Few differences exist across jurisdictions regarding the correlates of condom use. Condom use during sexual assault appears to be motivated by three contextual factors. Younger suspects and suspects who use a weapon during assaults are more likely to use a condom. The suspect's use of alcohol is negatively related to condom use. The low rates of condom use found in this study, coupled with the dangers of unprotected sexual contact, suggest that public health efforts must address the needs of victims of sexual assault more carefully. (Published Abstract Provided)