Neighborhood-Level Predictors of Sexual Violence Across Intimate Partner and Non-Intimate Partner Relationships: A Case–Control Study

Abstract

Ample research explores individual factors associated with sexual violence, yet individual, dyadic, and environmental influences on intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) occurring in the larger context of non-intimate partner violence (NIPSV) remain relatively unexplored. The current study aimed to determine the extent to which county-level indicators in combination with individual and dyadic factors are associated with sexual violence across relationship types. Reported IPSV and NIPSV cases were obtained from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation’s (TBI) online incident-based reporting system. County-level variables indicative of neighborhood physical disorder, violent crime, income inequality, firearm prevalence, and community alcohol use patterns were retrieved from the online resource County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Using a nested case–control design, we determined significant sexual violence risk within younger cohorts and across relationship types, finding three significant county-level factors: 1) income inequality, 2) rate of firearm fatalities, and 3) percentage of female residents. Suggested prevention and intervention efforts include targeting younger age groups for IPSV and NIPSV education, developing resources for a range of relational partners, improving legal access and law enforcement training for reporting, and continued examination of the role of firearms.

(Un)safe Spaces: The Relationship Between Slavery and Sexual Victimization of Black Women

“…Contextual-Level Predictors. To date, there has been a small body of research exploring community-level predictors of sexual violence, including gender, social inequality, attitudes supportive of violence toward women, and limited support available for women and families (Breidling et al, 2017;Campbell et al, 2009;Carpenter & Stinson, 2022;LeSeur, 2020;Tarzia, 2020). As it pertains to IPSV, Frye et al (2014) found that neighborhood-level correlates of IPV and IPSV were largely insignificant.…”

“…However, they were able to conclude that neighborhood-level ethnic heterogeneity reduced the likelihood of IPSV; conversely, they found that neighborhood-level collective efficacy increased the prevalence of IPSV. Moreover, Carpenter and Stinson (2022) found that when compared to sexual assault, forcible rape is negatively associated with excessive drinking, income inequality, and rurality.…”

Endorsement of Spousal Sexual Violence Across Gender: Evidence from Zambia Demographic and Health Survey

“…Many studies previously conducted have examined predictors of SSV in different parts of the world [8,[17][18][19]. In lowand-middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Africa, the prevalence of SSV is significantly higher than in high-income countries [20]. This is attributed to cultural values that promote and normalize SSV reinforced by patriarchal social structures that gives men power to have control over women in our society [16,[20][21][22][23][24][25].…”

“…In lowand-middle-income countries (LMIC), particularly in Africa, the prevalence of SSV is significantly higher than in high-income countries [20]. This is attributed to cultural values that promote and normalize SSV reinforced by patriarchal social structures that gives men power to have control over women in our society [16,[20][21][22][23][24][25]. Among LMICs, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has one of the highest prevalence rates of IPV, which can also include the potential risk of SSV, which is estimated to be between 5% and 37% [26][27][28][29][30].…”