Sexual Violence Victimization and Associations with Health in a Community Sample of Hispanic Women

• Published in: Journal of ethnic & cultural diversity in social work 2015-01, Vol.24 (1), p.1-17
• Main Authors: Basile, Kathleen C., Smith, Sharon G., Walters, Mikel L., Fowler, Dawnovise N., Hawk, Kathryn, Hamburger, Merle E.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: help-seeking; Hispanic people; Hispanic women; Mental health care; Needs; negative health experiences; rape; Sex crimes; sexual coercion; sexual violence; Victims of crime; Violence; Women
• ISSN: 1531-3204; 1531-3212
• DOI: 10.1080/15313204.2014.964441

This study sought to add to the limited information currently available on circumstances of sexual violence victimization and associated negative health experiences among Hispanic women. Data come from a community sample of mostly Mexican women in an urban southwestern city. Household interviews were completed with a sample of 142 women during 3 months in 2010. Findings indicate that 31.2% of women reported rape victimization and 22.7% reported being sexually coerced in their lifetime. Victims of rape and/or sexual coercion were significantly more likely to report symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during their lifetime. Among victims whose first unwanted sexual experience resulted in rape and/or sexual coercion, perpetrators were almost always someone known to the victims, and were mostly family members or intimate partners, depending on the victim's age. About one-fifth of victims were injured and 17.1% needed medical services. These findings suggest the need for more attention to the physical and mental health needs of sexually victimized Hispanic women.