High Rape Chronicity and Low Rates of Help-Seeking Among Wife Rape Survivors in a Nonclinical Sample

Abstract

Research on sexual assault experiences and outcomes has not consistently reported analyses by victim/offender relationship and has not provided much detail on sexual assaults by husbands and ex-husbands. National Crime Victimization Survey data were analyzed to examine sexual assault chronicity and help-seeking behaviors among survivors of marital, acquaintance, and stranger sexual assault. Marital sexual assault survivors were significantly more likely than acquaintance and stranger survivors to experience multiple assaults, with many marital survivors experiencing more than 10 assaults in a 6-month period. The marital group was also less likely to seek medical, police, or agency help. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

College Women's Likelihood to Report Unwanted Sexual Experiences to Campus Agencies: Trends and Correlates

“…For example, women are unlikely to report sexual victimization to the police if the perpetrator is a boyfriend, husband, or ex-husband (Mahoney, 1999;Rennison, 2002). Women who are acquainted with the perpetrator of sexual aggression may be less likely to perceive themselves as victims and may blame themselves for the assault, which may preclude women from reporting sexual victimization to the police (Fisher et al, 2003;Williams, 1984).…”

Seeking Psychosocial Care After Interpersonal Violence: An Integrative Model

“…For rape victims, the victim-offender relationship may be one of the most important determinants of help-seeking (Mahoney, 1999). If the offender is a friend, relative, or partner, the assessed desirability of psychosocial care is reduced because of conflicting motives (i.e., the wish to protect the offender and to continue the relationship·for the sake of children, financial support, or right of residence·or the fear of revenge) (Bui, 2003;Fugate et al, 2005;Müller et al, 2004;Thompson et al, 2000).…”

Intimate Partner Sexual Assault Against Women: Examining the Impact and Recommendations for Clinical Practice

“…IPSA victims report similar concerns (Campbell, 2002), but because they are subjected to repeated abuse, the likelihood of physical trauma is greater (Campbell, 2002;Mahoney, 1999;Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). Recurrent IPSA has been associated with enduring and serious gynecological conditions, such as genital bleeding and pain (Campbell, 2002;Girshick, 2002;.…”

“…Unlike sexual assault perpetrated by stranger assailants, IPSA is unique in that it involves repeated assaults (Mahoney, 1999;Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000), self-blame for remaining in the relationship, doubting one's judgment, and feelings of betrayal (Wallace, 1999). Lesbian victims often face prejudice and misperceptions when seeking assistance (National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs, 2008).…”

“…Unfortunately, many victims do not seek out assistance (Mahoney, 1999). When asked why they chose not to contact the police, one study found that 21.2% of victims indicated fears of the assailant retaliating, whereas 20.3% said the rape was a one time or minor incident.…”