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The authors undertook the current study to learn whether young men who have been forced to have sex are at heightened risk of sexual risk-taking and whether that risk varies according to the gender of the perpetrator.The study was based upon data from 1,400 males, ages 18-24, who participated in the 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. This information was used to determine the prevalence of a history of forced sex and the context of each respondent's most recent experience of sexual assault. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the relationship between having been a victim and having a recent indicator of sexual risk (e.g., having had sex in the past year with five or more female partners, a female drug injector or a female with HIV). Separate analyses were performed for coercion by females and by males.
Of the men, 6 percent said a female perpetrator had forced them to have vaginal intercourse; 1 percent said a male perpetrator had forced them to have oral or anal sex. The results indicated men had an elevated likelihood of reporting one or more recent sexual risk indicators if they had been forced into sex by a male (odds ratio, 6.9) or a female (3.3). Verbal and physical coercion and providing alcohol and drugs were commonly employed by female as well as male perpetrators.
"A better understanding of the pathways linking sexual victimization to sexual risk-taking among men is needed," the authors concluded. "Clinicians working with young men should screen them for victimization and provide STD testing and referrals for counseling if abuse is suspected or disclosed."
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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