Disclosing Past Adult Sexual Assault to Romantic Partners: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

Abstract

The primary aim of the current mixed-method study was to examine factors that predict adult sexual assault disclosure in romantic relationships and understand how romantic partners respond if survivors choose to disclose their experiences to them. Sexual assault survivors ( N = 330; 93% cisgender women) completed online surveys assessing disclosure and various factors that might be associated with disclosure, and described how their partner responded to their disclosure or what prevented them from disclosing (qualitatively coded). Many victims did not disclose experiences of assault to their partners. Proportional odds logistic regression revealed that survivors who perceived their partners as more responsive were more likely to have disclosed, but partner trust was unrelated to disclosure. Attachment avoidance (but not anxiety) was negatively related to disclosure. Sexual and gender minority victims were more likely to have disclosed to their partners; race was unrelated to disclosure. The most common qualitative response was that partners reacted to disclosures with emotional support, although some responded negatively. Survivors most often chose not to tell their partners because the assault was too difficult to talk about or was not relevant to the relationship. Sexual assault stigma may play out in victims’ disclosure decisions and partners’ disclosure reactions.