Differences in Lesbian, Bisexual, and Heterosexual Women’s Experiences of Sexual Assault and Rape in a National U.S. Sample

Abstract

Lesbian and bisexual women experience significantly higher rates of sexual assault and rape compared with heterosexual women. Despite this, researchers have yet to distinguish whether sexual orientation itself or some other related social characteristics explain these higher rates. The objective of this study was to analyze women’s rates of sexual assault and rape across sexual orientation status while accounting for other social characteristics (e.g., race, education, income, outness). Women ( N = 1,366), who identified as lesbian (31%), bisexual (32%), and heterosexual (31%), completed a nationally distributed, cross-sectional online survey in 2016. Victimization and repeat victimization were assessed using a modified version of Sexual Experience Survey–Short Form Victimization. Overall, 63% of bisexual, 49% of lesbian, and 35% of heterosexual women reported experiencing rape in their lifetime. When holding all other social characteristics constant, sexual orientation remained a significant predictor in the model. Compared with the odds of heterosexual women experiencing sexual assault or rape, bisexual women (3.7 odds of victimization; 7.3 odds of repeat victimization) and lesbian women (3.2 odds of repeat victimization) were disproportionately victimized. Sexual orientation clearly plays a role in sexual victimization risk, independent of other measured sociodemographic indicators. Continued research is needed to explore possible mechanisms behind sexual assault and rape prevalence, as well as the influence of contextual factors of victimization risk among sexual minority men.

Pathways from College Students’ Cognitive Scripts for Consensual Sex to Sexual Victimization: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study

“…Another consistent body of research has shown that members of sexual minorities (LGBTQI) have a higher probability of experiencing sexual victimization than heterosexual individuals (e.g., Canan et al, 2019;Chen et al, 2020;Peterson et al, 2011). Again, despite differences in the prevalence rates of sexual victimization, associations with vulnerability factors, such as heavy drinking or childhood sexual abuse, were found to be similar (López & Yeater, 2021;Ray et al, 2021).…”

Does Question Format Matter in Assessing the Prevalence of Sexual Aggression? A Methodological Study

“…As an online tool, the SAV-S offers the possibility of assigning participants to tailored versions depending on their gender and sexual experience background (i.e., whether they had exclusively opposite-sex contacts, exclusively same-sex contacts, or both opposite-and same-sex contacts). Because there is evidence that individuals who engage in sex with both men and women are more likely to report sexual victimization (e.g., Canan et al, 2019;Krahé & Berger, 2013;Wegner & Davis, 2020), assessing the victimization experiences of these individuals constitutes an important task in research on the prevalence of sexual aggression, as facilitated by the SAV-S.…”

Disparities in Social and Economic Determinants of Health by Sexual Identity, Gender, and Age: Results from the 2015–2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health

“…[69][70][71] Additional factors that may contribute to arrests among LGB women include substance use, intimate partner violence, homelessness, and financial instability, all of which LGB women experience at higher rates compared with heterosexual women. 23,31,45,72 Conversely, reduced risk of arrest among younger gay males may reflect relative educational and financial advantages as well as lower adherence to traditional masculine norms, which value aggression and self-defense. 73,74 Our findings indicate that LGB adults of all ages experience notable disparities in health determinants.…”