Archive | 2019
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence and Gender Asymmetry
Abstract
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant concern that can be observed on many system levels. Perhaps one of the more evident examples for gender asymmetry represented in the present literature on IPV prevalence and reporting is in the realm of sexual violence. Sexual violence research has focused solely on gender-based violence involving male perpetration and female victimization, often at the expense of other variations. The unfortunate result is that the area of male sexual assault (MSA) victimization, particularly female-perpetrated MSA, has largely been ignored, disregarded, or simply has not kept pace with more mainstream IPSV research and practice. Available literature demonstrates that there are unique, nuanced consequences of MSA and risk factors associated with female perpetration that may not be as common in male perpetration and female victimization. Lastly, there is room for significant improvement in the understanding and implementation of both preventative and responsive multilevel interventions, particularly for groups who may experience elevated risk for IPV.