NCJ Number
140487
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 16 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1992) Pages: 855-864
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A sample of 1,001 self-identified homosexual or bisexual men aged 18 or older were interviewed at three sexually transmitted disease clinics between 1989 and 1990. The data collected were used to examine descriptive characteristics of the respondents' childhood sexual contacts with older or more powerful male or female partners and to assess the percentage of these contacts which could be defined as abusive.
Abstract
According to the survey, 37 percent of the subjects had been encouraged or forced to have sexual contact before age 19; 94 percent of these contacts were with men. Median age of the participant at first sexual contact was 10, while median age difference between partners was 11 years. Of these incidents, 51 percent involved force and 33 percent involved anal intercourse. Black and Hispanic men were more likely to report such sexual contacts than white subjects. Ninety-three percent of the incidents were classified as sexual abuse according to developmentally based criteria for defining sexual abuse. Certain characteristics of young homosexual males could lead to a greater potential for sexual abuse: less peer and familial support, little contact with other gay youth, and increased vulnerability to adult men. Additional data are needed on the individual characteristics of abused youth, their male partners, and the social contexts in which abuse occurs. The results highlight the need for increased attention to sexual abuse prevention efforts and early identification and treatment. 4 tables and 24 references