Childhood abuse and sexual revictimization in a female Navy recruit sample

Abstract

To examine effects of childhood abuse on adult rape, 1,887 female Navy recruits were surveyed. Overall 35% of recruits had been raped and 57% had experienced childhood physical abuse (CPA) and/or childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Controlling for CPA, rape was significantly (4.8 times) more likely among women who had experienced CSA than among women who had not. In contrast, CPA (controlling for CSA) was unrelated to likelihood of adult rape. Alcohol problems and number of sex partners were examined as mediators. Although both variables predicted rape, their effects were independent of the effects of CSA. Finally, despite ethnic group differences in the prevalence of victimization, the predictors of rape did not differ significantly across ethnic groups.

Sexual assault and alcohol consumption: what do we know about their relationship and what types of research are still needed?

“…For example, in a sample of Navy recruits, women who had been raped were more likely than those who had not to be victims of childhood sexual abuse, to have many sexual partners, and to have drinking problems (Merrill et al, 1999). Similarly, Koss and Dinero (1989) found that college women who had experienced sexual assault in adolescence or adulthood were more likely than other college women to have experienced childhood sexual abuse, to have a larger number of sexual partners, and to drink more heavily.…”

Evaluation of Navy Counseling and Advocacy Programs: Relating Programs to Readiness and Retention

“…Specifically, 45.5 percent (« = 834) of female Navy recruits had been the victim of an attempted rape; 9.4 percent, (n = 173) and 36.1 percent (« = 661) had been the victim of a completed rape since age 14. Similarly, additional research by this same group indicated that 26.0 percent and 35.0 percent of female Navy trainees had experienced rape and 7.6 percent and 8.0 percent reported attempted rape only (see Merrill et al, 1997Merrill et al, ,1999. A subsequent study by this same group of researchers found that 26 percent of female Navy recruits had experienced unwanted sexual contact before age 15 with someone at least five years older (Sinclair et al, 2001).…”

“…Merrill and colleagues have conducted a series of studies that represent the most comprehensive research on premilitary experiences of sexual assault (see Merrill et al, 1996Merrill et al, ,1997Merrill et al, ,1999Merrill, Thomsen, Gold, & Milner, 2001;Sinclair, Merrill, Thomsen, & Gold, 2001). Specifically, 45.5 percent (« = 834) of female Navy recruits had been the victim of an attempted rape; 9.4 percent, (n = 173) and 36.1 percent (« = 661) had been the victim of a completed rape since age 14.…”

“…Also, women with a history of childhood sexual assault are at least two times more likely than non-abused women to experience revictimization (see Merrill et al, 1999 for a discussion; National Institute of Justice, 2000). Specifically, Pope (2000) found that 46 percent of women who experienced childhood sexual assault were raped as adults.…”

“…Specifically, Pope (2000) found that 46 percent of women who experienced childhood sexual assault were raped as adults. Among Navy recruits, childhood physical or sexual abuse independently and additively predicted rape (Merrill et al, 1999). Specifically, Merrill et al (1999) found that controlling for childhood physical abuse, rape was 4.8 times more likely for women who had experienced childhood sexual abuse.…”