NCJ Number
138418
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1991) Pages: 299-308
Date Published
1991
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Sexual assault experiences were surveyed in a sample of 3,131 adult residents of Los Angeles in order to examine patterns of repeated victimization. A subgroup of 433 respondents reported some experience with sexual assault, and of those, two-thirds reported multiple incidents.
Abstract
The average number of incidents for repeat victims was 3.2. Single- and multiple-incident sexual assault victims did not differ significantly in terms of demographics, mental disorders, or symptoms of general dysfunction, including suicide attempts or domestic violence. The authors concluded that once an initial victimization occurred, personal characteristics of the victim did not affect the likelihood of subsequent attacks. Future research should use a more clearly delineated measure of sexual assault to corroborate these findings. Different research methods and an exploration of factors related to exposure to certain social situations may also be beneficial. 3 tables and 35 references