NCJ Number
223172
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2004 Pages: 503-520
Date Published
May 2004
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to individually examine risk factors associated with sexual victimization for homeless males and females and to test the likelihood of males and females being sexually victimized by a known person (friend/acquaintance) versus an unknown person (stranger).
Abstract
Consistent with previous research, this study found that both males and females experienced sexual victimization since being on the street but that the percentage for females was twice that of males (23 percent versus 11 percent). For both victimizers of males and females, the majority of perpetrators were men. However, 29 percent of individuals who sexually victimized the young men were female. The most likely victimizer for girls was a male acquaintance; for boys, it was a male stranger. In summary, males and females experience different risks out on the street. For females, age, high usage of hard drugs, and age at first run predicted stranger victimization, whereas deviant subsistence strategies, survival sex, grooming, and age at first run predicted sexual victimization by a friend/acquaintance. Among males, trading sex and physical appearance were associated with stranger victimization, but sexual orientation predicted victimization by a friend/acquaintance. It is important to examine males and females separately because different risks may require unique solutions. Previous research shows that runaway and homeless youth experience high rates of victimization on the streets. Risk factors associated with the likelihood of being sexually victimized by a stranger or friend/acquaintance since being on the street was examined among 372 homeless and runaway youth. Tables, appendix and references