Leanne R. Brecklin

Sexual Assault History and Health-Related Outcomes in a National Sample of Women

This study examined correlates of past-year chronic medical conditions and lifetime contact with health care professionals for mental health and substance abuse problems in women with differing histories of sexual victimization (N = 627) identified from the National Comorbidity Survey (e.g., assault in childhood, adulthood, or both life phases). Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and stressful life events were associated with greater odds of chronic medical conditions among women sexually assaulted in childhood only. Additional traumatic events were associated with greater odds of chronic medical conditions among victims of adult sexual assault. Older age and being married were associated with greater odds of lifetime health care professional contact for mental health/substance abuse issues among certain victim subgroups. Stressful life events were related to greater help-seeking for child victims, and traumatic events were related to greater help-seeking in adult victims. Alcohol dependence symptoms and PTSD were each associated with greater odds of lifetime health care professional contact among women victimized in both life phases, whereas depression was related to greater odds of help-seeking for women victimized in one life phase only. Psychosocial factors may play unique roles in health outcomes for women with different sexual assault histories.

The Role of Offender Alcohol Use in Rape Attacks An Analysis of National Crime Victimization Survey Data

The role of offender preassault alcohol use (as perceived by victims) in the outcomes of rape incidents (N = 362) was analyzed using data from the 1992-1996 National Crime Victimization Survey. Offender preassault alcohol use was hypothesized to be related to more risky assault characteristics (e.g., stranger assaults and weapons) and more severe assault outcomes (e.g., completed rapes and physical injury). As predicted, offender alcohol use was associated with stranger assaults, night assaults, outdoor locations, and greater victim resistance. Logistic regression analyses showed that offender alcohol use was associated with less likelihood of rape completion and unrelated to physical injury when demographic variables and assault characteristics were controlled. Suggestions for future research on the role of alcohol in rape incidents are presented.

Self-Defense or Assertiveness Training and Women’s Responses to Sexual Attacks

Self-defense classes aim to prevent violence against women by strengthening women’s capacity to defend themselves; however, little research has examined the effects of self-defense training on women’s attempts to fight back during actual attacks. This study investigated the relationship of self-defense or assertiveness training and women’s physical and psychological responses to subsequent rape attacks (N = 1,623).Multivariate analyses showed that victims with preassault training were more likely to say that their resistance stopped the offender or made him less aggressive than victims without training. Women with training before their assaults were angrier and less scared during the incident than women without training, consistent with the teachings of self-defense training. Preassault training participants rated their degree of nonconsent or resistance as lower than did nonparticipants, perhaps because they held themselves to a higher standard. Suggestions for future research on women’s self-defense training and rape prevention are offered.

The Role of Perpetrator Alcohol Use in the Injury Outcomes of Intimate Assaults

Little research has been conducted on the role of perpetrator alcohol use in the injury outcomes of intimate assaults, although alcohol use by an intimate partner may be related to more severe assault outcomes (physical injury and need for medical attention) than is no alcohol use. The role of perceived perpetrator alcohol use in the injury outcomes of intimate assaults (N = 909) was analyzed using 1992–1996 National Crime Victimization Survey data. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated that perpetrator alcohol use was associated with increased likelihood of physical injury and marginally associated with more medical attention seeking by the victim when demographic variables and assault characteristics were controlled. Suggestions for future research on the relationship between alcohol and intimate assault outcomes are presented.

The Roles of Victim and Offender Substance Use in Sexual Assault Outcomes

The impact of victim and offender preassault substance use on the outcomes of sexual assault incidents was analyzed. Nine hundred and seventy female sexual assault victims were identified from the first wave of a longitudinal study based on a convenience sampling strategy. Multivariate models showed that victim injury was more likely in assaults involving offender substance use (regardless of whether or not the victim was also using substances). Offender use of physical force and verbal threats were also related to greater odds of completed rape and injury, and force was associated with medical attention seeking. Based on this study, rape prevention programs should target men and focus on the role of substance use in sexual assault. These prevention programs should incorporate information on the roles of offender and victim substance use, offender aggression, and other situational factors in sexual assault outcomes. Study limitations and suggestions for future research on the role of victim and offender substance use in rape incidents are presented.

Correlates of Postassault Self-Defense/Assertiveness Training Participation for Sexual Assault Survivors

Past research has shown that self-defense/assertiveness training may have positive implications for sexual assault survivors. However, little is known about the correlates of self-defense/assertiveness training participation for sexually victimized women. In this study we examined the assault characteristics and experiences that relate to womens enrollment in postassault training using data from 1,623 female college sexual assault survivors. It appears that more violent attacks may lead survivors to enroll in postassault training, especially when their resistance was less effective. Postassault training participants were marginally more likely to have told someone about their assault, experienced less supportive reactions from others, exhibited marginally less current anxiety, and reported more postassault suicidal ideation than nonparticipants. These survivors may enroll in training to exercise control over future assaults occurring and as a way of healing from sexual assault. Suggestions for future research and the development of self-defense training programs for sexual assault survivors are presented.

“It's Worth the Fight!”: Women Resisting Rape

Abstract Is it worthwhile to fight back in response to a would-be rapist? On the basis of decades of research dedicated to the subject, we assert that resistance is associated with increased likelihood of rape avoidance and may confer benefits in other ways as well. Whereas the benefit of resistance is becoming clearer based on the empirical research, efforts to increase rape resistance education are often met with criticism, particularly because of concerns about how women’s resistance might lead to escalation of offender violence or victim injury. Accordingly, this chapter provides an overview of the research documenting the effectiveness of self-defense/rape resistance strategies, discusses what is effective and what is not, explains the benefits and potential drawbacks of resistance, and explores the factors that facilitate and limit the use of resistance. Finally, the chapter concludes with a discussion of the future directions of research on the efficacy of victim resistance and self-defense training and on the ways to increase women’s knowledge and usage of effective resistance strategies.