Sexual Revictimization Among Women: A Review of the Literature Focusing on Empirical Investigations

• NCJ Number: 189596
• Journal: Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 6 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2001 Pages: 415-432
• Author(s): Kimberly Hanson Breitenbecher
• Editor(s): Vincent B. Van Hersen, Michel Hersen
• Date Published: 2001
• Length: 18 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This article reviewed the literature on sexual re-victimization among women with a focus on empirical investigations addressing the validity of the theories of revictimization.

Abstract

Although the phenomenon of sexual revictimization is well-documented, the reasons for its occurrence are not well understood. Many theories have been proposed, but few have been empirically evaluated. This article critically reviewed the literature on sexual revictimization among women, focusing on empirical investigations. This review focused on two types of revictimization: (1) revictimization of child sexual abuse survivors in the form of adult sexual assault(s), and (2) revictimization of adult sexual assault survivors in the form of subsequent sexual assault(s). Theories of revictimization are categorized into eight major areas: spurious factors, situational or environmental variables, disturbed interpersonal relationships, cognitive attributions, self-blame and self-esteem, coping skills, perception of threat and trauma-related symptomatology, and general psychological adjustment. In general, none of these theories received unequivocal empirical support. Situational variable and general psychological adjustment received modest support as factors that differentiate revictimized women from non-revictimized women. Two prospective investigations have implicated depression and anxiety as possible contributors to revictimization. References