NCJ Number
228462
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 18 Issue: 4 Dated: July-August 2009 Pages: 405-421
Date Published
August 2009
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study examined the prevalence, circumstances, and severity of both disclosed and undisclosed sexually coercive and abusive experiences in childhood and adolescence in a community sample of Latina women of predominantly Mexican decent.
Abstract
Consistent with other studies of childhood and adolescent sexual abuse among Latina samples, this study found high rates of nondisclosure, and family members were the most frequently reported perpetrators of abuse followed by boyfriends and friends or acquaintances. However, when examining rape only, women who first reported rape before age 13 most frequently listed friends as perpetrators, whereas those who first experienced rape after age 13 reported family members as the perpetrators. These findings highlight the importance of assessing for peer and dating-partner related sexually abusive events, assessing for both reported and nonreported experiences of abuse. Because little research on circumstances and severity of childhood sexual abuse among Latina women exists, the purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence and characteristics of childhood and adolescent sexually coercive and abusive experiences among a community sample of 204 Latina women living within San Diego County, CA. Tables and references