Capturing Sexual Violence Experiences Among Battered Women Using the Revised Sexual Experiences Survey and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales

Abstract

The assessment of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) has garnered increased attention in recent years. However, uncertainty about which measure best captures experiences of IPSV remains. The present study focused on the direct comparison of two widely used measures of IPSV: the revised Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) and the revised Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS2). A secondary aim of the study was to extend the scope of IPSV acts by evaluating the presence of pornographic acts and experiences of forced sexual relations with other individuals. The current sample consisted of 138 battered women using the services of shelters. Results indicated that 79.7 % of women reported at least one incident of IPSV on either the CTS2 or the SES. The concordance rate between both measures was 76.8 %, with the highest concordance being for severe sexual violence. The Sexual Violence scale of the CTS2, which is more concise than the SES, identified 16.7 % more cases of IPSV. In addition, 26.1 % of women reported at least one incident involving pornography and 9.4 % had been forced to engage in sexual activities with other individuals. Women who reported experiences associated with pornography were 12-20 times more likely to be victims of severe sexual violence on the two measures. Such findings confirm the high prevalence of sexual violence among this population and indicate how rates can vary depending on the measures used. This study also underscores the relevance of investigating diverse types of violent acts to better understand how IPSV manifests itself.

Discordance between the Sexual Experiences Surveys-Short Forms and the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales in College Men

“…For the majority of cases identified positively by either the SES-SFV or the CTS2-SC, there was discordance between the two measures as to whether the participant had experienced sexual victimization or not. Although this overall pattern of discordance (36%) is consistent with prior research (Cook, 2002;Moreau et al, 2014), it is surprising nonetheless. Further, our kappa results suggest that even in the best case (the assessment of rape -Hypothesis 2), the level of agreement between the SES-SFV and CTS2-SC was weak.…”

“…1. The CTS2-SC will identify more cases of sexual violence victimization overall than the SES-SFV, consistent with Moreau et al 2014. 2. The SES-SFV will identify more cases of rape victimization than the CTS2-SC consistent with prior work on the importance of behaviorally specific questions for assessing rape in women (for example, Fisher, 2009).…”

“…Comparisons between two validated measures of the same construct (i.e., behaviorally specific questionnaires assessing sexual violence) can be useful for examining how differences in measurement strategy can lead to different rate estimates for different behaviors (Cascardi & Muzyczyn, 2016;DiLillo et al, 2006;Strang, Peterson, Hill, & Heiman, 2013) and the comparative validity of each measure (Hulme, 2007;French et al, 2017). Prior research comparing the CTS2-SC and the SES-SFV found that the CTS2-SC identified a higher rate of sexual victimization than the SES-SFV (73% versus 63%) in women in domestic violence shelters (Moreau, Boucher, Hébert, & Lemelin, 2014). Overall, 80% of the sample reported some type of sexual victimization, and percent agreement was adequate (76.8%); yet the CTS2-SC identified 23 cases (16.7% of the 138 respondents) that the SES-SFV identified as non-victims.…”

Differences in the type and sequence order of self-defense behaviors during a high-risk victimization scenario: Impact of prior sexual victimization.

“…The Revised Conflicts Tactics Scales -Sexual Coercion subscale (CTS2-SC; Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996) was used to assess sexual victimization within intimate partnerships. The CTS2-SC was included as prior research has demonstrated that sexual victimization within romantic partnerships is common and frequently underestimated by measures of general sexual victimization (Moreau, Boucher, Hébert, & Lemelin, 2014). The CTS2-SC has demonstrated adequate validity and reliability in prior research, including testretest reliability (Simpson & Christensen, 2005;Vega & Malamuth, 2007).…”

Predictors of Assertive and Nonassertive Styles of Self-Defense Behavior During a Lab-Based Sexual Assault Scenario

“…The Revised Conflicts Tactics Scales -Sexual Coercion subscale (CTS2-SC:Straus, Hamby, Boney-McCoy, & Sugarman, 1996) was used to assess sexual victimization within intimate partnerships. The CTS2-SC was included, as prior research has demonstrated that sexual victimization within romantic partnerships is common and frequently underestimated by measures of general sexual victimization(Moreau, Boucher, Hébert, & Lemelin, 2014). The CTS2-SC uses paired items assessing the respondent's and their partner's behavior, for example:…”