Prevalence of Sexually Abusive Experiences in Childhood and Adolescence Among a Community Sample of Latinas: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

This study examined the prevalence, severity, and circumstances of self-reported sexually coercive and abusive experiences in childhood and adolescence in a community sample of Latina women (N = 204) ages 18 to 34 years. Structured phone interviews were conducted in either English or Spanish. Results indicated that 35% of the women reported experiencing some form of sexual abuse; 31% of the reported perpetrators were family members, and 52% were boyfriends, friends or acquaintances. Of those who reported an abusive experience, 44% said they had not disclosed the abuse to anyone; for those who did disclose, 74% said they felt supported. Findings highlight the importance of including peer and dating-partner abuse in the assessment of CSA, and the necessity for outreach to Latina women who may have never disclosed their experiences of abuse.

Interpersonal Victimization Among a National Sample of Latino Women

“…National data concerning CSA rates among Latino women, using adult retrospective studies, present rates that range between 15.4% and 32.1% depending on the criteria that are used to define CSA (Vogeltanz et al, 1999). In some college sample studies that have focused specifically on Latino women (Clemmons et al, 2003) or compared them to their non-Latino counterparts (Arroyo et al, 1997;Clemmons et al, 2003;Kalof, 2000;Romero, Wyatt, Loeb, Carmona, & Solis, 1999;Ullman & Filipas, 2005;Urquiza & Goodlin-Jones, 1994;Vera et al, 2005) reported rates of CSA ranged between 26% and 38%, which is consistent with CSA rates from community samples (Ulibarri, Ulloa, & Camacho, 2009). Due to methodological variation and definitional discrepancies, CSA rates among Latino women are very disparate.…”

Exploratory Evaluation ofSí, Yo Puedo: A Culturally Competent Empowerment Program for Immigrant Latina Women in Group Settings

“…In addition, the cultural influence of familism may be a contributing factor in Latinas' decision to report or ability to report incidences of DV (Edelson, et al, 2007;Ulibarri, Ulloa, & Camacho, 2009;Vidales, 2010). On one hand, familism may serve as a protective factor for the victim as she reaches out for emotional support.…”

Is Disclosure of Sexual Traumas Helpful? Comparing Experimental Laboratory Versus Field Study Results

“…; Ullrich & Lutgendorf, 2002); (e) previous history of disclosure and responses to disclosure (Ahrens, 2006); and (f) history of child sexual abuse (CSA) or other betrayal trauma (Freyd, Klest, & Allard, 2005). Other factors that might be important are current psychological functioning (clinical vs. normal) of the discloser (Smyth, 1998), type of trauma being disclosed (e.g., acute or chronic, degree of associated stigma), timing and detail of disclosure (Ullman, 1996), length of time since the trauma, gender of the disclosure recipient if there is one (Ahrens & Campbell, 2000), and (Ulibarri, Ulloa, & Camacho, 2009). These factors that can impact the outcomes of disclosure are discussed in this article in the context of studies that have examined them, although few studies have done so to date.…”

“…Clearly, these findings suggest that disclosure, reactions from others, and abuse severity might all play a role in explaining differences in psychological symptomatology in sexual trauma survivors. Given that ethnicity might play a role in both disclosure, who is told, and responses from others (Ulibarri et al, 2009;Ullman & Filipas, 2005a), more research on the role of ethnicity is needed, especially related to social reactions to disclosure and their impact on recovery.…”