Resisting during sexual assault: A meta-analysis of the effects on injury

Wong, Jennifer; Balemba, Samantha

doi:10.1016/j.avb.2016.03.010

Cited by 22 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…(p. 18) While perhaps not aiding much in terms of policy, we believe the results from the current analysis represent valuable information of which victims should be aware. Should a victim choose to resist her assailant-in particular by using physical resistance-she may escape a completed assault but end up incurring more injuries (as supported by the current results and Wong & Balemba, 2016). Whether additional (potentially serious) physical injuries but no penetrative assault would be considered a more or less deleterious outcome is up to the individual to decide.…”

mentioning

confidence: 59%

“…It is difficult to determine exactly how to use the information gathered herein in terms of policy recommendations. When combined with previous findings regarding the relationship between victim resistance and victim injury (especially Wong & Balemba, 2016), what recommendations should be made to potential victims? What must be taken into consideration is the fact that there are many different types of assaults, with some more likely to result in either more violence or more intrusive outcomes regardless of whether the victim incorporates self-protective behaviors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Effect of Victim Resistance on Rape Completion: A Meta-Analysis

Wong

Balemba

2016

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

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When confronted with a sexual attacker, women are often extremely concerned with avoiding rape completion. While narrative reviews typically suggest that the victim resistance is linked to rape avoidance, much of the existing literature relies on overlapping samples from the National Crime Victimization Survey. The current meta-analysis examines whether victim resistance is related to a greater likelihood of avoiding rape completion. Results from a systematic literature search across 25 databases supplemented by a search of the gray literature resulted in 4,581 hits of which seven studies met eligibility criteria for the review. Findings suggest that women who resist their attacker are significantly more likely than nonresisters to avoid rape completion. This finding held across analyses for physical resistance, verbal resistance, or resistance of any kind. Limitations of the analysis and policy implications are discussed, with particular focus on other research findings that resistance may be linked to greater victim injury.

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confidence: 59%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Effect of Victim Resistance on Rape Completion: A Meta-Analysis

Wong

Balemba

2016

Trauma, Violence, & Abuse

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“…Nonetheless, the existing body of evidence strongly suggests that exposure to sexual violence is a causal factor in the development of mental health problems (Lewis et al, 2019;Varese et al, 2012).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Violence and Its Associated Psychosocial Effects in Ireland

Vallières

Gilmore

Nolan

et al. 2020

J Interpers Violence

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Current data on the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of sexual violence in the Republic of Ireland is lacking, with the most recent sexual abuse and violence survey dating back to 2001. The current study sought to identify what proportion of Irish adults have experienced sexual violence, if there are sex differences in exposure to different forms of sexual violence, and to what extent different forms of sexual violence are associated with adverse psychosocial outcomes. To achieve these objectives, we carried out a nationally representative sample of Irish adults ( N = 1,020) completed self-report measures of history of sexual violence and mental health. Results suggest that approximately one-in-three (34.4%) Irish adults experienced some form of sexual violence, including 14.8% who were sexually assaulted (raped) and 31.1% who were sexually harassed. Women were significantly more likely than men to have experienced all forms of sexual violence ( ps < .001), with the exception of sexual assault by a parent or guardian. All forms of sexual violence were associated with an increased likelihood of serious mental health problems, with sexual assault by a parent/guardian associated with several other psychosocial outcomes in life, including education achievement, history of being taken into state care, salary, and employment status. Sexual violence is a common experience in the general population and women are disproportionately affected (1-in-2 women versus 1-in-5 men). Additional resources to increase mental health care among survivors of sexual violence is urgently needed. How our findings compare to Ireland’s previous sexual abuse and violence survey and the implications of our findings for policy are discussed.

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“…Sexual assault, de ned as any type of forced or coerced sexual contact or behavior that happens without consent (3), violates the sexual integrity of the individual and exposes them to a variety of negative health outcomes (4). These may include, but are not limited to social, psychological, (4-7), sexual (6)(7)(8) and physical health outcomes (9)(10)(11) that may have lifelong deleterious effects on survivors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual Assault: Women's Voices on the Health Impacts of Not Being Believed by Police

McQueen

Murphy-Oikonen

Miller

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Background. Sexual assault is a prevalent crime against women with known negative effects on health. Recent media attention has identified that many sexual assault reports are not believed by police, and therefore coded as “unfounded”. This is consistent with public discourse of inaccurate rape myths that indicate that some women lie about sexual assault. Whereas he actual rate of false reporting is low. Negative reporting experiences of sexual assault have been associated with re-victimization and trauma among survivors. However, little is known about the impact that being sexually assaulted and not believed by police has on a survivor’s health and well-being. Thus, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore women’s experiences of not being believed by police after sexual assault and their perceived impact on health. Results. Thematic analysis revealed three salient themes: 1) Broken Expectations, 2) Loss of Self, and 3) Cumulative Effect. Within the theme of Broken Expectations, two subthemes emerged including Loss of Trust and Re-victimization.Conclusion. The findings highlighted that not being believed by police resulted in additional mental and social burdens beyond that of the sexual assault. Many survivors felt re-victimized at a time when they needed support, leading to maladaptive coping mechanisms. Having a better understanding of the negative health impacts is important for police, health, and social service providers who may be able to positively influence reporting experience and overall health effects.

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Resisting during sexual assault: A meta-analysis of the effects on injury

Cited by 22 publications

References 42 publications

The Effect of Victim Resistance on Rape Completion: A Meta-Analysis

The Effect of Victim Resistance on Rape Completion: A Meta-Analysis

Sexual Violence and Its Associated Psychosocial Effects in Ireland

Sexual Assault: Women's Voices on the Health Impacts of Not Being Believed by Police

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