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Sexual Orientation, Revictimization, and Polyvictimization

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Abstract

Background

Individuals who are LGB—lesbian, gay, bisexual (LGB)—are at high risk of being victimized by intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. Although research has begun to uncover the extent to which individuals experience both revictimization and polyvictimization, little is known about the extent of these two types of victimization among LGB persons.

Methods

Data were drawn from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), a nationally representative telephone survey of eighteen thousand US residents, weighted to represent 232,458,335 proportional (49%) male and (51%) female adults aged 18 and older. Victimization was measured based on individuals’ responses to a series of questions about psychological aggression, coercive control and entrapment, physical violence, and sexual violence. Patterns of recurrent and poly victimization across LGB people and heterosexual people were compared.

Results

The findings indicate that LGB individuals face a greater risk of victimization than heterosexuals. Further, they are more likely to experience revictimization and polyvictimization. Sex differences emerged in that LGB females were likely to be victimized, revictimized, and polyvictimized when compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Fewer differences emerged between LGB males and male heterosexuals.

Conclusion

This research suggests that LGB individuals face greater victimization risks, which is important because they may need special and specific interventions. Such interventions may be able to reduce not just an initial victimization but subsequent ones as well.

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Data Availability

Restricted use data available for download from ICPSR.

Notes

  1. Victimization was defined as any forced penetration, incapacitated penetration, forced sexual touching, incapacitated sexual touching, intimate partner violence, or stalking.

  2. Unlike the lifestyles-exposure/routine activities perspective (L/RAT), MST can be used to understand the reasons why LGB people engage in behaviors that may be risky and place them at risk for victimization. The L/RAT (Cohen & Felson, 1979; Hindelang, Gottfredson & Garofalo, 1978) perspective indicates that demographics shape lifestyles, but does not explain that for LGB people it may not be the characteristic itself but the discrimination that is borne from it that drives engagement in risky lifestyles.

  3. Intimate partner status is not restricted to cohabitations.

  4. The authors accessed the restricted use data through ICPSR after obtaining IRB approval.

  5. Over 600 variables were used to code the measures in this study. For a complete list, contact the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, 30303, USA

    Leah E. Daigle

  2. Applied Research Services, Inc, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Shila René Hawk

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  1. Leah E. Daigle
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Correspondence to Leah E. Daigle.

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Ethical Approval

Granted by the Ethics Committee of Georgia State University for the use and analysis of this de-identified data secured through ICPSR.

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Appendix. Victimization questions by type

Appendix. Victimization questions by type

Psychological aggression

1. Number of times IP acted angry in a dangerous way?

2. Number of times IP told you that you weren’t good enough?

3. Number of times IP called you names?

4. Number of times IP insulted / humiliated you in front of others?

5. Number of times IP told you no one else would want you?

Coercive control and entrapment

1. Number time IP tried keep you from family or friends?

2. Number of times IP made decisions for you?

3. Number of times IP kept track of you?

4. Number of times IP threatened suicide?

5. Number of times IP threatened to hurt a pet?

6. Number of times IP threatened to hurt a loved one?

7. Number of times IP hurt a loved one?

8. Number of times IP threatened to take your children away?

9. Number of times IP kept you from leaving the house?

10. Number of times IP kept you from having money for your own use?

11. Number of times IP destroyed something important to you?

12. Number of times IP said something like if I can’t have you, then no one can?

13. Number of times IP tried to get you pregnant when you didn’t want to?

14. Number of times IP ever refused to use a condom?

Physical violence

1. Number of times IP threatened to physically harm you?

2. Number of times IP slapped you?

3. Number of times IP pushed or shoved you?

4. Number of times IP hit you with a fist or something hard?

5. Number of times IP kicked you?

6. Number of times IP hurt you by pulling your hair?

7. Number of times IP slammed you against something?

8. Number of times IP tried to hurt you by choking you?

9. Number of times IP beaten you?

10. Number of times IP burned you on purpose?

11. Number of times IP used a knife or gun on you?

Sexual violence

1. Number of times anyone exposed their sexual body parts to you?

2. Number of times anyone made you show your sexual body parts to them?

3. Number of times anyone made you view/participate in sexual media?

4. Number of times anyone harassed you while you were in a public place?

5. Number of times anyone kissed you in an unwanted sexual way?

6. Number of times anyone fondled or grabbed your sexual body parts?

7. Number of times anyone had vaginal sex with you (drug facilitated)?

8. Number of times anyone made you perform anal sex (drug facilitated)?

9. Number of times anyone made you receive anal sex (drug facilitated)?

10. Number of times anyone made you perform oral sex (drug facilitated)?

11. Number of times anyone made you receive oral sex (drug facilitated)?

12. Number of times anyone used physical force to have vaginal sex with you?

13. Number of times anyone used physical force to have you perform anal sex?

14. Number of times anyone used physical force to have you receive anal sex?

15. Number of times anyone used physical force to make you perform oral sex?

16. Number of times anyone used physical force to make you receive oral sex?

17. Number of times anyone used physical force to put their fingers or an object in your anus?

18. Number of times anyone used physical force to try to make you have vaginal sex?

19. Number of times anyone used physical force to try to have vaginal, oral, or anal sex with you?

20. Number of times anyone coerced sex by doing things like telling you lies?

21. Number of times anyone coerced sex by wearing you down by repeatedly asking for sex?

22. Number of times anyone coerced sex by using their influence or authority over you?

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Daigle, L.E., Hawk, S.R. Sexual Orientation, Revictimization, and Polyvictimization. Sex Res Soc Policy 19, 308–320 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13178-021-00543-4

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