NCJ Number
230082
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: April 2010 Pages: 349-356
Date Published
April 2010
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the lifetime prevalence rates of sexual assault victimization in an ethnically-diverse sample of low-income male and female adolescents, and examined the association between self-reported sexual assault victimization and the students' home environment, their parents' level of education, and their plans for college.
Abstract
The authors examined the association of adolescents' self-reported sexual assault victimization with their living arrangements, parent's education, and plans for college. Participants included 1,634 ethnically-diverse and economically-disadvantaged high school students in southeast Texas. Lifetime history of forced sexual assault was reported by 8.3 percent of girls and 9 percent of boys. No association with gender, age, or parent's education was detected. However, adolescents in non-traditional households (living with one parent, grandparents, or other) were more likely to report rape than youth living with both parents. Adolescents who were one race/ethnicity were less likely to report being raped than those in the multiple race category. Sexual assault intervention programs should account for a teenager's living situation; and prevention efforts may benefit from targeting individuals in non-traditional households. The lack of an association with either gender or socio-educational status indicates that all children are at risk and that school-based programs should be broadly targeted. Tables and references (Published Abstract)