Risk Factors of Sexual Aggression and Victimization Among Homosexual Men¹

Abstract

This study examined risk factors of sexual aggression and victimization among homosexual men (N= 310). They completed the Homosexual Experiences Survey to record sexual aggression and victimization and provided information about 2 groups of potential risk factors: childhood abuse and sexual lifestyle (number of partners, age at first intercourse, age at coming out, accepting or paying of money for sex, and rape proclivity). One in 4 respondents reported severe forms of sexual victimization; 17% reported moderate victimization. Prevalence of perpetration of sexual aggression was almost 20% for severe aggression and 9% for moderate aggression. The risk of victimization increased as a function of childhood abuse as well as high number of partners and acceptance of money for sex. The risk of committing sexual aggression was positively related to childhood abuse, acceptance and payment of money for sex, high number of sexual partners, and rape proclivity. The findings are discussed in relation to evidence on heterosexual aggression.

The Mediating Effect of Hostility Toward Women on the Relationship Between Childhood Emotional Abuse and Sexual Violence Perpetration

“…Higher rates of CEA have also been reported among adjudicated adolescent sexual offenders (Zakireh, Ronis, & Knight, 2008) and adult sexual offenders (Lee et al, 2002) than in comparison samples of nonsexual offenders. These results have been replicated in an international sample, specifically, a community sample of German men (Krahe, Scheinberger-Olwig, & Schütze, 2001). Another study that examined a composite measure of child emotional and physical abuse among high school students also found that these experiences were directly related to SV perpetration among males (Fineran & Bolen, 2006).…”

A Review of the Literature on Sexual Assault Perpetrator Characteristics and Behaviors

“…punished, compared with homosexual men who did not report sexual aggression (Krahé, Scheinberger-Olwig, and Schütze, 2001). …”

Sexual Assault Risks Among Gay and Bisexual Men

“…Aosved, Long, and Voller (2011) found that male college students with a history of CSA were more likely to experience ASA than those without such histories. Only a few studies have examined experiences of revictimization among sexual minority populations of men, indicating that sexual minority men report similar patterns of CSA to ASA risk as heterosexual women (Coxell, 1999; Krahé, Scheinberger-Olwig, & Schütze, 2001). For example, Balsam et al (2011) found that CSA history increased the risk of experiencing rape among adult gay men, and Kalichman et al (2001) found that one third of sexual minority men in their study who experienced CSA also experienced ASA.…”