Mental Health Consequences of Sexual Misconduct by Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Personnel among Black Drug-Involved Women in Community Corrections

Abstract

This study examines the prevalence, correlates, and mental health consequences of sexual misconduct by law enforcement and criminal justice (LECJ) personnel. Baseline data for Project E-WORTH (Empowering African-American Women on the Road to Health) were collected between November 2015 and May 2018 from 351 drug-involved Black women from community corrections in New York City. LECJ sexual misconduct was self-reported and we measured mental health outcomes with the CESD-4 and the PTSD Checklist. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. Approximately 14% of our sample had experienced LECJ sexual misconduct. Participants who reported multiple arrests, recent drug use, and having experienced childhood sexual victimization were more likely to have experienced LECJ sexual misconduct. Further, LECJ sexual misconduct was positively associated with depression and PTSD. These findings suggest that LECJ sexual misconduct is a previously unreported risk factor for adverse mental health outcomes among criminal-legal system-involved women. There is a need for recognition of LECJ sexual victimization among criminal-legal system-involved women. As such, prevention, treatment, and community corrections service delivery for this population should be trauma informed.

The sharks and the fishermen: An exploratory content analysis of police officers who abused their positions for a sexual purpose

“…Some of these issues were pre-existing, although they may have been exacerbated by the APSP. Although victim outcomes of sexual misconduct in police officers remain largely unexplored, recent US research has found a link between sexual misconduct and resultant adverse mental health in victims (Stringer et al, 2020). This echoes the findings of general research into sexual assault and increased reporting of depression, suicidal ideation and post-traumatic stress disorder (Brooker et al, 2018; DiMauro et al, 2018).…”

“…Recent research has suggested that victims of APSP by police often suffer adverse outcomes to their mental health, namely post-traumatic stress disorder and depression (Stringer et al, 2020). One study finds that sexual abuses by police officers may also be associated with an increased risk of victim suicide (DeVylder, Frey, Cogburn, Wilcox, Sharpe, Oh, Nam & Link, 2017).…”

Association Between Multiple Experiences of Violence and Drug Overdose Among Black Women in Community Supervision Programs in New York City

“…The direct and indirect effects of this exposure to such police abuse may be multifold. As suggested by prior research (Stringer et al, 2019), abuse by law enforcement and community corrections increases the likelihood of depression, anxiety and trauma as well as physical pain that may trigger cravings for self-medication resulting in drug misuse and overdose. At the same time, fear of experiencing such abuse may inhibit women from calling police during violent or overdose incidents that may further increase their exposure to both violence and overdose (Blankenship et al, 2018).…”

Sexual Misconduct in Police Recruits as identified by Police Trainers

“…Often, victims of PSM are highly vulnerable members of society with histories of drug abuse, sexual abuse and mental health issues (Cottler et al, 2014; Sweeting et al, 2020). Adverse outcomes for victims who are external to the police include depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (Stringer et al, 2020). Police sexual misconduct can also occur between colleagues in the form of inappropriate sexualised language and overfamiliar touching (Brown et al, 2019).…”