Intimate Partner Sexual Violence in Emerging Adulthood: Exploring Sexual Consent Attitudes as a Target for Sexual Coercion Prevention.

While intimate partner violence is now recognized as a major societal and international issue, sexual violence between partners remains understudied despite its significant prevalence rates and the specific contexts in which it occurs. The aim of this study was to analyze the links between different dimensions of sexual consent and sexual coercion experienced within intimate relationships in order to identify targets for prevention campaigns. The study was carried out during a time of transition in the sociopolitical and legislative context in Belgium linked to the implementation of a reform to the sexual criminal law, which has made the expression of sexual consent central to the qualification of sexual offenses. A total of 431 young adults (88.40% female; Mage = 22.19 years; SDage = 1.79) were recruited from the general population through an online survey to analyze the links between attitudes and beliefs toward sexual consent, attachment style, mental health, and sexual victimization between partners. Results showed that a lack of perceived behavioral control over establishing sexual consent, as well as the avoidance of intimacy, predicted sexual victimization. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and potential public policy responses for prevention and awareness are suggested. Future research should further investigate and conceptualize sexual consent as it relates to sexual coercion in a more representative sample from an intersectional perspective.

Self-reported sexual coercion among in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana.

BACKGROUND: Sexual coercion is one of the major public health concerns globally. This is even more worrying among young people with disabilities (YPWDs). This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with sexual coercion among in-school young people with disabilities in Ghana. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional study design, pre-tested questionnaires were used to collect data from 979 YPWDs in 15 special schools for the visually and hearing impaired in Ghana. Sexual coercion was the outcome variable. Both descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential analysis (binary logistic regression) were conducted. RESULTS: About 68% reported that they had been sexually coerced at some point in their lifetime. This was higher among males (69.9%) compared to females (66.8%). Those aged 15-19 (72.19%) had the highest prevalence compared to those aged 20-24 (61.74%). YPWDs in Junior High School [JHS] [aOR = 1.722; CI = 1.227,2.417], and those in the coastal zone [aOR = 1.616; CI = 1.068,2.443] had higher odds of being coerced. However, those belonging to the Islamic religion [aOR = 0.266; CI = 0.0764,0.928] and the visually impaired [aOR = 0.477; CI = 0.318,0.716] had lower odds of being coerced compared to those with no religion, and the hearing impaired, respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a relatively high prevalence of sexual coercion among in- school YPWDs in Ghana. This is significantly associated with level of education, ecological zone, religion, and the type of disability. This calls for a concerted effort by policy makers such as the Ghana Education Service, Ghana Federation of the Disabled, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to intensify sex education and put in pragmatic steps to halt this serious public health issue.

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: A Phenomenological Interpretative Analysis Among Female Survivors in France.

Despite its prevalence, intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) remains a concealed and poorly understood form of violence against women. Although it is associated with numerous detrimental effects on mental health, very little is known about the subjective meaning of IPSV for survivors. This study addresses this gap by exploring IPSV from the perspective of female survivors within the context of their relationship with a male partner, using interpretative phenomenological analysis. This study seeks to provide a detailed examination of the personal experience of IPSV and to illuminate its meaning from a personal standpoint. We conducted in-depth interviews with seven IPSV survivors who were recruited after filing a complaint for intimate partner violence (IPV) in France. In total, five superordinate themes were identified: (a) "Setting the stage" describes how the complex dynamics preceding IPSV influence self-representation; (b) "Feeling like I'm nothing" describes the emotional experience of IPSV; (c) "Trying to get it, not getting it" describes how IPSV generates intense cognitive load; (d) "Looking back, developing a theory" describes how IPSV is interpreted retrospectively after breaking up with a violent partner; and (e) "Today: living with it" describes how IPSV affects the present. This study highlights how emotional distress and cognitive uncertainty are present on the way to IPSV, through IPSV, and even after filing charges and separating from the violent partner. Additionally, it shows that survivors attribute IPSV to a sense of individual vulnerability related to romantic love, hope, and traumatic childhood history. This study presents unique findings as it is the first one to explore the lived experience of IPSV among a sample of French IPV survivors.

Different Components of Sexual Narcissism Are Differentially Associated With Specific Sexual Aggression Strategies: An Exploratory Study Among Male and Female College Students.

Objectives: This study investigated whether components of sexual narcissism are associated with different types of sexual aggression (e.g., verbal pressure or force) among students because this is a prevalent problem on college campuses. Methods: College students (N = 508) were recruited for a cross-sectional online study. Results: Results showed that components of sexual narcissism were related to different strategies of sexual aggression, with sexual entitlement being associated with not providing the victim an opportunity to object and exploiting intoxication. Gender moderated some of the associations, with women showing a stronger relationship than men. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sexual narcissism represents a risk factor for sexual aggression in men and women and highlight the need for gender-inclusive and tailored interventions to prevent sexual aggression.

Pornography Use and Sexual Coercion: Examining the Importance of Frequency, Type, and Other Factors.

Research on pornography use and sexual coercion has provided some evidence that there is an association between these two behaviors. One area in this body of research where there is a need for improvement is the operationalization of pornography use. In particular, a need for researchers to capture all relevant aspects of pornography use that are associated with sexual coercion. These aspects include frequency of use, type of pornography used, investment in use, sexual scripts adopted from pornography, compulsive use, and first exposure. The current study aims to examine which of these aspects of pornography use are significantly associated with sexual coercion. A sample of 365 college males was surveyed on their pornography use, engagement in sexually coercive behaviors, and other relevant variables. Results show that sexual scripts and investment in pornography use are significantly related to self-reported sexual coercion. These findings indicate that the frequency with which someone views pornography may not be driving the relationship between pornography use and sexual coercion and that an individual's monetary investment in their pornography use habit, as well as their adoption of sexual scripts from pornography, may be what is driving this relationship. In addition, these findings have implications for the aspects of pornography use that researchers should focus on when examining the relationship between pornography use and sexual coercion.

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: An Exploratory Study on Sexual Victimization Profiles Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in France.

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a common form of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study aimed to (a) identify a typology of intimate partner sexual victimization among French women victims of IPV on the basis of the frequency of various forms of sexual violence and (b) evaluate whether these profiles differ in several clinical characteristics. A total of 93 women consulting a specialized hospital service were recruited. Cluster analyses suggested four profiles: highly frequent rapes (5.4%), predominant sexual coercion (20.4%), medium frequency of all forms (20.4%), and low frequency of all forms (19.4%). Further person-centered research focusing on IPSV is warranted.

Precollege Risk Markers for College Rape and Verbal Sexual Coercion: Same or Different?

Verbal sexual coercion (VSC) and rape are common experiences among college women. Although they have been theorized to involve different risk markers, few prospective studies have examined predictors of VSC and rape separately. The present prospective study was designed to identify precollege risk markers for VSC and rape in first-year college women, with the goal of considering the degree to which they overlap or differ. Women (N = 449) recruited from the community just prior to high school graduation completed measures of sexual victimization (SV) since age 14 but prior to college, sexual refusal assertiveness, high school heavy episodic drinking (HED), college drinking intentions, and sociosexuality. Follow-up surveys at the end of the first and second college semesters assessed VSC and rape. Using the Sexual Experiences Survey's severity scoring method, women were classified into one of three groups according to the most severe type of SV reported in the first year of college: neither VSC nor rape (71%), VSC (16%), and rape (13%). Most women who experienced rape (73%) also experienced VSC. Precollege SV and college drinking intentions predicted both rape and VSC. Sexual refusal assertiveness and high school HED did not independently predict either form of victimization. Sociosexuality predicted rape but not VSC. Findings suggest a substantial overlap in the predictors of VSC and rape and support the severity continuum underlying many conceptualizations of SV.

Factors Associated with Transgender and Gender Diverse People's Experience of Sexual Coercion, and Help-Seeking and Wellbeing Among Victims/Survivors: Results of the First Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey.

Purpose: Our study examined factors associated with transgender and gender diverse ("trans") people's experience of sexual coercion, as well as the factors associated with help-seeking and wellbeing among victims/survivors. Methods: We analyzed cross-sectional data from the first Australian Trans and Gender Diverse Sexual Health Survey, conducted in 2018. Logistic regressions were undertaken to identify factors associated with sexual coercion, help-seeking, and wellbeing. Results: Of the sample of 1448 participants, 53.4% had been sexually coerced, which was associated with older age, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, nonbinary gender, being presumed female gender at birth, currently living publicly some or all the time as their affirmed gender, having regular sex, and use of drugs to enhance or alter sexual experiences. Protective factors included having a higher income and access to gender affirming care. Help-seeking was reported among 49.5% of victims/survivors and was associated with having more trans friends. Wellbeing among victims/survivors was associated with being older, residing in regional/remote areas, having higher levels of education and annual income, being presumed female gender at birth, having stronger satisfaction with one's sex life, and good health care access. Wellbeing was not associated with help-seeking. Conclusion: Sexual coercion was prevalent among participants, but help-seeking behavior was low. Protective factors identified underscore the importance of socioeconomic supports, access to health and gender affirming care, and peers. Accessible peer-led and culturally safe preventive and trauma-focused supports should also be considered for trans people who experience sexual coercion.

Development and Validation of Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Perpetration and Victimization Scales Among Adults.

Technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) includes different forms of digital violence, such as online gender-based violence, online gender- and sexuality-based violence, digital sexual harassment, online sexual coercion, and nonconsensual pornography. The aim of this study was to design and validate a measure to assess the perpetration and victimization of each dimension of TFSV. The relationships between the different dimensions and differences by gender and sexual orientation were also analyzed. The participants were a sample of 2,486 adults (69% women) from Spain, aged between 16 and 79 (M = 25.95; DT = 9.809) years. The Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence Scales were found to be valid and reliable instruments, supporting our recommendation for the use of these scales. Network analysis and solution-based exploratory factor analyses showed that the dimensions of online sexual coercion and nonconsensual pornography clustered together. All the perpetration variables were related to sexism. Finally, cis women and nonheterosexual people reported higher victimization scores overall compared to cis men and heterosexuals, respectively, while cis men reported higher perpetration scores overall than cis women.

Links between Aggressive Sexual Fantasies and Sexual Coercion: A Replication and Extension of a Multifactorial Model.

Current research indicates that aggressive sexual fantasies (ASF) are related to sexual aggression, above and beyond other risk factors for this behavior. There have, however, rarely been explicitly considered in multifactor models aiming to explain sexual aggression. One exception is the multifactorial Revised Confluence Model of Sexual Aggression that was replicated in two samples of male individuals who were convicted of sexual offenses and a small sample of men from the general population and evidenced a high relevance of ASF, respectively. There were, however, no further attempts to replicate the model in larger samples from the general population. We, therefore, used a subsample from the Finnish Genetics of Sexuality and Aggression project including 3269 men (age: M = 26.17 years, SD = 4.76) to do so. Cross-sectional latent structural equation models corroborated previous research and the assumption that ASF are a central component in multifactor models that aim to explain sexual aggression: ASF and antisocial behavior/aggression were equally important associates of sexual coercion when also considering adverse childhood experiences, hypersexuality, and callous-unemotional traits. Additionally, ASF mediated the links between hypersexuality, callous-unemotional traits, as well as childhood sexual abuse and sexual coercion. These links held stable when entering further risk factors, that is, distorted perceptions, rape-supportive attitudes, and violent pornography consumption into the model. Contrasting assumptions, alcohol consumption and antisocial behavior/aggression did not interact. These results illustrate the potential importance of ASF for sexual aggression. They indicate that ASF require consideration by research on sexual aggression as well as in the treatment and risk assessment of sexual perpetrators.

Preliminary Efficacy of a Brief Cognitive Restructuring Intervention to Reduce Sexual Coercion Intentions: Roles of Alcohol and Emotion Regulation.

Sexual coercion (SC), the use of nonphysical tactics to obtain sexual contact with a nonconsenting partner, is a prevalent form of sexual misconduct that is associated with several physical and psychological health concerns. Therefore, effective preventative interventions to reduce SC prevalence are needed. Alcohol consumption and difficulties in emotion regulation (ER) are two risk factors that contribute to SC. Cognitive restructuring (CR) has the potential to reduce SC intentions by improving ER through actively challenging one's thoughts to modify emotions. This study represents a secondary data analysis to examine the effectiveness of a brief, web-based CR intervention in reducing SC intentions. To test whether the intervention would remain beneficial in the presence of alcohol, we tested effects among intoxicated versus sober participants. Young, male, heavy episodic drinkers with a history of sexual aggression (N = 137) were randomized into a CR intervention versus control condition as well as alcohol consumption versus no alcohol condition. Then, participants completed a sexual aggression analog scenario. General linear regression analyses showed that intoxicated men reported stronger SC intentions than sober men. Additionally, relative to controls, men in the CR condition who had better preexisting ER cognitive reappraisal skills had significantly lower SC intentions. Our findings provide preliminary support for CR as an effective strategy to reduce SC intentions among sexually aggressive, heavy episodic drinking men with better cognitive reappraisal skills. If findings are replicated, this brief, web-based CR intervention could overcome potential challenges in dissemination and be easily applied in clinical settings.

Pornography Use and Violence: A Systematic Review of the Last 20 Years.

Pornography use is one of the factors that has been proposed to be associated with violence. We aimed to explore the literature of the last 20 years, with the objective of understanding the possible association between pornography use and violence. Two electronic databases (PsycINFO/PsycARTICLES and PubMed/Medline) were used. We included members of the general population, of any sex, age, and sexual orientation, who were direct users of pornography or have a partner who uses pornography. Only studies with pornography use and violence assessments, and that specifically evaluated the association between both factors, were included. In all, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria. An association between pornography use and nonsexual violence seems to exist, although the causality of this association remains unclear. Heterogeneity of results exists regarding the association between pornography use and intimate partner sexual assault and coercion: some studies have failed to demonstrate this association, while others have observed it partially or significantly. Contradictory results have also been observed when examining the association between pornography use, rape myths, and other beliefs/attitudes. The main limitation is the heterogeneity in the conceptualization of both constructs (pornography and violence). Multiple theoretical models, methodologies, and categorizations have been used in the studies, complicating the comparability of the findings. The association between different types of violence and pornography use requires further in-depth research to better understand the specific link between both constructs.CRD42021259874.

Systematic review and data synthesis on the treatment of sexual violence victimization by an intimate partner.

This study aims to conduct a systematic review and synthesis on the treatment of sexual violence victimization by an intimate partner evaluating specifically the impact of treatment on mental health outcomes of female sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. We followed the Cochrane Handbook for Systemic Reviews of Interventions guidelines for the process of conducting systematic reviews. We were unable to conduct meta-analyses due to the substantial heterogeneity of the interventions for IPV. A qualitative summary of 6 controlled studies identified no benefit to the treatment of sexual coercion, posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, or anxiety for female sexual IPV survivors. However, we are limited by a paucity of data for each outcome on this subject. In conclusion, sexual coercion is a complex issue that has adverse effects on mental health and the well-being of the survivors. More research is needed that investigates what kind of interventions are effective for this specific population.

Sexual Coercion, Intimate Partner Violence, and Homicide: A Scoping Literature Review.

The specific relationship between sexual coercion, intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy, and intimate partner homicide (IPH) is poorly understood. Through a scoping literature review, we identified 101 studies on sexual coercion, IPV during pregnancy, and IPH and created a conceptual model suggesting unintended pregnancies may serve as both a risk factor for and a product of IPV that may escalate to IPH. We illustrate a healthcare systems intervention implication of this model in the context of the Colorado Family Planning Initiative (CFPI). Descriptive statistics suggest an inverse association between contraception access and IPH, which declined by 62% during the first 4 years of the CFPI. Interventions aimed at improving reproductive agency, including improving contraception access and reducing unintended pregnancy, may be a useful opportunity for clinician and health systems to contribute to reducing both lethal and nonlethal IPV.

A Scoping Review of Nonconsensual Condom Removal ("Stealthing") Research.

Nonconsensual condom removal (NCCR; also known as "stealthing") involves the removal of a condom before or during sexual intercourse without a partner's sexual consent. Within the past several years, nations across the globe have codified NCCR as a form of sexual violence penalized by civil and/or criminal penalties. Given the recent legal attention to this behavior, we performed a scoping review of the peer-reviewed, empirical, English-language studies conducted on NCCR in order to summarize the current state of this field of research. Our scoping review yielded 27 articles meeting study inclusion criteria. Data on NCCR victimization and perpetration prevalence rates and correlates, as well as perceptions of NCCR, were extracted. The majority of the reviewed studies were conducted within the past 5 years and pertained to NCCR victimization. Rates of NCCR victimization ranged from 7.9% to 43.0% for women and 5.0% to 19.0% for men who have sex with men; rates of NCCR perpetration ranged from 5.1% to 9.8% for men and 0% for women. NCCR correlates included sociodemographic variables, relationship type, psychological factors, and sexual health concerns. Perceptions of NCCR were largely negative. The nascent field of NCCR research provides empirical evidence from several countries regarding concerning rates of NCCR. Building upon this foundation, continued research regarding NCCR is imperative. Studies that further delineate NCCR prevalence, risk factors, and outcomes would provide critical information beneficial to the development of evidence-based prevention and intervention programs targeting reductions in NCCR.

Psychometric Evaluation of Initial Domains on the Comprehensive Assessment of Pornography Use Tool.

Research on pornography use and sexual coercion has provided inconsistent results. One explanation for this is the lack of a valid, reliable, and comprehensive measure of pornography use. This study seeks to address this need by developing a comprehensive pornography use instrument consisting of four domains identified in research: type of pornography used, sexual scripts, habits, and compulsivity. A sample of 324 college men was used. Results of the study yielded factor structures for these domains and evidence of reliability and validity. Findings present the initial development of a pornography use instrument that could improve research in this area and aid practitioners in treatment and supervision decisions.

Sexting is not always wanted: consequences on satisfaction and the role of sexual coercion and online sexual victimization / El Sexting no siempre es deseado: consecuencias sobre la satisfación y el papel de la coerción sexual y la victimización sexual en línea

La comprensión del sexting como una nueva forma de comuni-cación interpersonal es cada vez mayor; sin embargo, poco se sabe sobre si la incidencia, correlatos y resultados del sexting varían en función de si se realiza de forma voluntaria o no. En este estudio no experimental, nos proponemos investigar la prevalencia, los predictores y las consecuencias del sexting entre 310 jóvenes españoles, que completaron una encuesta on-line sobre sus experiencias previas de sexting deseado y no deseado, coer-ción sexual y victimización sexual online, así como sus niveles de satisfac-ción sexual y vital. Los resultados mostraron que la mitad y un tercio de la muestra habían estado involucrados en comportamientos de sexting desea-dos y no deseados, respectivamente. Además, lacoerción sexual y la victi-mización sexual online predijeron una mayor probabilidad de participar en conductas sexuales no deseadas y, con ello, una disminución de la satisfac-ción vital. Por último, haber experimentado mayor coerción sexual se aso-ció con menor satisfacción vital al aumentar la probabilidad de sufrir victi-mización sexual online y de participar en conductas adicionales de sexting no deseado. Nuestros hallazgos muestran la importancia de discernir entre el sexting deseado y el no deseado y cómo el hacerlo de forma diferente condiciona los predictores y las consecuencias de este fenómeno.(AU)

The understanding of sexting as a new form of interpersonal communication is increasing; however, little is known about whether the incidence, correlates, and outcomes of sexting vary depending on whether such behavior is done willingly or not. In this non-experimental study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of sex-ting among 310 Spanish young adults, who completed an online survey re-garding their previous experiences of wanted and unwanted sexting behav-iors, their sexual coercion and online sexual victimization experiences, and their levels of sexual and life satisfaction. The results showed that more than half and one third of the sample had been involved in wanted and unwanted sexting behaviors, respectively. Additionally, sexual coercion and online sexual victimization predicted a higher probability of engaging in unwanted sexual behaviors and, with that, a decrease of life satisfaction. Finally, having experienced more instances of sexual coercion was associ-ated with lower life satisfaction by increasing the likelihood of suffering online sexual victimization experiences and engaging in additional unwant-ed sexting behaviors. Our findings show the importance of discerning be-tween wanted and unwanted sexting and how doing so differently condi-tions the predictors and consequences of this phenomena.(AU)

The Intersection between Alcohol use and Sexual Activity among Young Adult Male U.S. Service Members.

Aims: The current study explores drinking habits, preferences for alcohol use before sexual activity, and alcohol-related sexual behavior among young adult male active duty service members in the United States. Background: Hazardous alcohol use is a significant problem among United States military service members. Whereas the association between alcohol use and sexual assault is well documented in civilian samples, less is known regarding the intersection of alcohol use and sexual activity among soldiers. Objective: Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize drinking habits, preferences for alcohol use before sexual activity, and alcohol-related sexual behavior. Methods: A sample of 338 active-duty male service members between the ages of 18 and 24 were recruited from a large military post in the Southeastern United States. Constructs were assessed using self-report surveys. Results: Participants reported consuming alcohol, on average, 5.6 times over the prior month. Average alcohol consumption was reported to be 7.8 beverages per drinking occasion. Participants reported engaging in heavy drinking an average of 2.9 times over the past 30 days. On average, service members reported a preference for 1.3 drinks before sexual activity. Furthermore, 75.2% of participants preferred to be sober during sex, and 82.1% preferred to engage in sexual activity with a sober partner. Approximately 14% of the sample reported using alcohol to improve their chances of having sex. Conclusion: These findings highlight high rates of alcohol use among soldiers. Nonetheless, young adult male soldiers report a preference for sexual activity while sober. Understanding the co-occurrence of alcohol use and sexual activity has the potential to inform the development of integrated alcohol and sexual assault prevention programs for service members.

Cycle length flexibility: is the duration of sexual receptivity associated with changes in social pressures?

Research in social mammals has revealed the complexity of strategies females use in response to female-female reproductive competition and sexual conflict. One point at which competition and conflict manifests acutely is during sexual receptivity, indicated by swellings in some primates. Whether females can adjust their sexual receptivity from cycle to cycle to decrease reproductive competition and sexual conflict in response to social pressures has not been tested. As a first step, this study explores whether sexual receptivity duration is predicted by social pressures in wild female chacma baboons (Papio ursinus). Given that female baboons face intense reproductive competition and sexual coercion, we predicted that: females could shorten the duration of their sexual receptive period to reduce female-female aggression and male coercion or increase it to access multiple or their preferred male(s). We quantified 157 ovulatory cycles from 46 wild females living in central Namibia recorded over 15 years. We found no support for our hypothesis; however, our analyses revealed a negative correlation between maximal-swelling duration and group size, a proxy of within-group competition. This study provides further evidence that swelling is costly as well as a testable framework for future investigations of 'cycle length manipulation'.

When less is more: coy display behaviours and the temporal dynamics of animal courtship.

Sexual selection research has been dominated by the notion that mate choice selects for the most vigorous displays that best reflect the quality of the courter. However, courtship displays are often temporally structured, containing different elements with varying degrees of intensity and conspicuousness. For example, highly intense movements are often coupled with more subtle components such as static postures or hiding displays. Here, we refer to such subtle display traits as 'coy', as they involve the withholding of information about maximal display capabilities. We examine the role of intensity variation within temporally dynamic displays, and discuss three hypotheses for the evolution of coy courtship behaviours. We first review the threat reduction hypothesis, which points to sexual coercion and sexual autonomy as important facets of sexual selection. We then suggest that variation in display magnitude exploits pre-existing perceptual biases for temporal contrast. Lastly, we propose that information withholding may leverage receivers' predispositions for filling gaps in information-the 'curiosity bias'. Overall, our goal is to draw attention to temporal variation in display magnitude, and to advocate possible scenarios for the evolution of courtship traits that regularly occur below performance maxima. Throughout, we highlight novel directions for empirical and theoretical investigations.