This study examined victim and assault characteristics and the nature and extent of coercion, violence, and physical injuries among adult male victims of sexual assaults. Client records of three groups presenting to a sexual assault care center were included: males assaulted by a stranger (n = 64), males assaulted by an acquaintance (n = 81), and females assaulted by an acquaintance (n = 106). Study results revealed that male victims of sexual assault tended to be young, single men who reported high rates of vulnerabilities such as homelessness and physical, psychiatric, and cognitive disabilities. Male stranger assailant victims were more likely to experience assaults involving weapons and physical violence. Injuries sustained by victims and services delivered at the sexual assault care center were similar for both male and female clients. The results of this study reveal new information about violence in male sexual assaults and the vulnerability of the male victims.

This study examined the nature and extent of coercion, violence, and physical injury among victims of sexual assaults committed by spouses(n = 97) and compared these to sexual assaults committed by boyfriends (n = 256) and acquaintances (n = 194). The results of the study reveal that women assaulted by spouses reported for treatment sooner than other groups of women and were more likely to call the police. Although assaults committed by spouse and boyfriend assailants were generally more physically violent and resulted in more victim injury than assaults by acquaintances, an overall linear relationship between variables and the degree of victim-perpetrator familiarity was not found. These results challenge the enduring stereotypes suggesting spousal sexual assaults are less serious and less violent.

There is a growing body of literature which seeks to better understand the needs of sexual assault victims presenting for specialized treatment. This study explored aspects of immediate and delayed treatment seeking among 1118 women who presented for treatment to a specialized sexual assault care centre within a large urban hospital. Variables related to demographic and assault-specific characteristics were examined for association with immediate (within 12 hours) or delayed (after 12 hours) treatment seeking. Results indicate the severity of the attack prompted women to seek treatment earlier and that women who were assaulted by a known perpetrator were more likely to delay seeking assistance. Findings are conceptualized under the rubric of sociological and feminist frameworks with suggestions for additional research.