Interpersonal Violence Among Heterosexual and Sexual Minority Youth: Descriptive Findings From the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System.

Interpersonal violence is pervasive among youth in the United States. Sexual minority youth are disproportionately impacted. Utilizing data from the 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS, N = 12,868), this study describes the disparities in victimization among heterosexual and sexual minority youth. Sexual minority status was operationalized to include nonheterosexual identity (e.g., bisexual) and/or behavior (e.g., reporting same- and different-sex partners). Other predictors included sex (male/female), a sexuality*sex interaction term, age, and race/ethnicity. Outcomes included lifetime forced sexual intercourse and 12-month incidence of sexual violence, physical violence in relationships, sexual violence in relationships, in-school bullying, and cyberbullying. Approximately 15% (n = 1,974) of participants were classified as sexual minority youth and 48% (n = 6,213) self-identified as female. More than half (56%, n = 7,190) identified as racial and/or ethnic minorities. In bivariate logistic regression, sexual minority youth were significantly more likely to report all outcomes (p < .001). In multivariable logistic regression, sexual minority and female youth were significantly more likely to report all outcomes (p < .001). With the exception of physical violence in dating, sexuality*sex interaction terms were significant predictors for all outcomes (p < .001), indicating that the risks associated with sexual minority status are heightened for male youth. This study concludes with a call for more attention toward violence among and against sexual minority youth. Although some prevention and response efforts address the unique needs and experiences of these youth, particularly antibullying initiatives, efforts to address sexual and dating violence often emphasize heterosexual contexts and communities.

Tolerance for Intimate Partner Violence: A Comparative Study of Chinese and American College Students.

Tolerance for intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important correlate of interpersonal violent behavior. Although a large amount of research on IPV has been conducted in the West and a growing amount of studies on IPV in Chinese societies has been observed in recent years, only a small number of studies have analyzed IPV-related attitudes from an international and comparative perspective. Drawing on survey data collected from 1,178 college students from two Chinese and two U.S. universities, this study empirically compared and contrasted factors influencing students' levels of tolerance for IPV. The results showed that Chinese college students had a higher level of tolerance for IPV than their U.S. counterparts. Regional variation was only detected in China with students in Beijing having a greater tolerance for IPV than students in Hong Kong. Both Chinese and U.S. students' tolerance for IPV was affected primarily by their attitudes toward gender roles and gender-based violence and perceptions of IPV causes.

Public responses to intimate partner violence: comparing preferences of Chinese and American college students.

Based on data collected from college students in Beijing and Hong Kong (China) and in Newark and Detroit (United States), this study assesses and explains citizen preferences of 2 major formalized responses to intimate partner violence (IPV)--law enforcement and social services intervention--in a cross-cultural context. Results show that Chinese respondents have lower support for law enforcement responses. Regional variation is only observed within China with students from Hong Kong supporting both law enforcement and social services responses more than their Beijing counterparts. Results also show that social attitudinal variables--including male dominance ideology, perceptions of IPV causation, support for the criminalization of IPV, and tolerance of IPV--influence public preferences of responses to IPV more than do demographic and experiential variables.

Factors contributing to perceptions about policies regarding the electronic monitoring of sex offenders: the role of demographic characteristics, victimization experiences, and social disorganization.

The purpose of this article is to explore factors contributing to perceptions about electronic monitoring policies governing sex offenders. Guided by Tannenbaum's theory of attribution and Shaw and McKay's theory of social disorganization, the authors examine the influence of demographic characteristics, victimization experiences, and neighborhood characteristics on perceptions about policies regarding the electronic monitoring of sex offenders. Ordinary least squares regression and logistic regression analyses of stratified telephone survey data reveal that factors associated with favorable views on the use of global positioning satellite monitoring for registered sex offenders appear to stem primarily from individuals' demographic characteristics. Experiential and neighborhood factors do provide some influence over individuals' views of electronic monitoring policies for sex offenders. Theoretical and policy implications are discussed.

Sexual minority youth victimization and social support: the intersection of sexuality, gender, race, and victimization.

In comparison to heterosexual youth, sexual minority youth are more likely to experience victimization. Multiple studies have connected anti-gay prejudice and anti-gay victimization to negative outcomes. Research shows that social support may protect sexual minorities from the harmful effects of anti-gay victimization. However, rates of victimization and the negative outcomes linked to sexual identity within the sexual minority community have been relatively unexplored. Using data from three years of statewide data from heterosexual and sexual minority adolescents in grades 9-12, this study examines victimization, substance use, suicidality, and access to social support by sexuality. Results indicate that sexual minority youth are at increased risk for victimization, substance use, suicidality, and social isolation compared to their heterosexual counterparts. Results also indicate that there is very little bivariate difference within the sexual minority community. Multivariate results indicate differences among sexual minorities' experiences with victimization and substance use.

Developing a citywide youth violence prevention plan: perceptions of various stakeholders.

Researchers suggest that violence prevention requires community-wide efforts and partnerships that demonstrate commitment to youth development. Missing from this research, however, are studies considering how these partnerships are formed and how members of various groups involved in these partnerships perceive youth violence prevention. This study sought to fill this void. A series of seven focus group interviews were conducted with 85 stakeholders involved in developing a youth violence prevention plan in one community. Results suggest that the stakeholders were optimistic about developing violence prevention strategies and forging partnerships between various groups. Participants pointed to specific themes that provide a framework for understanding youth violence prevention planning efforts. Implications are provided.