NETfacts: An integrated intervention at the individual and collective level to treat communities affected by organized violence.

War and crises affect mental health, social attitudes, and cultural norms, which can exacerbate the state of long-term insecurity. With decades of armed conflict, the Democratic Republic of Congo is one example, and violence has become normalized in civilian settings. In this study, we tested the effectiveness of the NETfacts health system, an integrated model of evidence-based individual trauma treatment (Narrative Exposure Therapy [NET]) and a trauma-informed community-based intervention (NETfacts). Alongside changes in mental health outcomes (posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, social disapproval, and shame) we also investigated change in attitudes, including rape myth acceptance, stigmatization of survivors of sexual violence, and skepticism about the reintegration of former combatants. To test whether the additional community intervention is superior to individual NET alone, we implemented a randomized controlled design with six villages and interviewed a sample of 1,066 community members. Our results demonstrate that the NETfacts health system in comparison with NET alone more effectively reduced rape myth acceptance and with it ongoing victimization and perpetration. Community members of the NETfacts group also presented with less stigmatizing attitudes against survivors of sexual violence. Skepticism about the reintegration of former combatants declined in both groups. NETfacts appears to have increased motivation to engage in individual treatment. Synergizing the healing effects of individual and collective trauma exposure, the NETfacts health system appears to be an effective and scalable approach to correct degrading or ignominious norms and restore functioning and mental health in postconflict communities.

Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, and Mental Health Outcomes: Causal Inference with Ambiguous Exposures.

Social exposures and their impact on mental health has proven hard to capture, partly owing to the complex and multifaceted nature of social reality. Sexual harassment and sexual violence (SHV) are no exceptions. SHV can be conceptualized as a continuum of negative sexual experiences whose severity vary depending on multiple determinants. Further, SHV can be conceptualized as either discrete events or as a generally hostile sexual environment represented by latent variables. With any of these conceptualizations, SHV constitutes a broad construct containing many kinds of negative experiences. This ambiguity poses challenges for determining the mental health consequences, as different forms of SHV may vary in terms of their mental health impact. We discuss different conceptualizations of SHV in relation to mental health outcomes through the lens of the potential outcomes framework, with a focus on the consistency condition. The multiple versions of treatment theory is presented to show how to provide formal interpretations of causal estimates under ambiguous exposures. Lastly, we provide suggestions on how the increase the clarity and interpretability of the effects of SHV on mental health, by increasing the precision of the causal questions and the use of more specific definitions of SHV.

Female perpetrated sexual assault: a review of attendances to the national sexual assault treatment units in the Republic of Ireland.

BACKGROUND: Female perpetrated sexual assault is under-represented in sexual assault research, and indeed possibly an underreported crime. The aim of this study is to address the lack of comprehensive data in relation to female perpetrated sexual assault attendances to the national sexual assault treatment unit network in the Republic of Ireland. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study analysing the attendances of female perpetrated sexual assault attendances at the six sexual assault treatment units in the Republic of Ireland between 1 January 2017 and 31 December 2022. RESULTS: There were 95 attendances where the assailant (or one of the assailants) was identified as female. 62% (n=59) of these attendances involved a solo female assailant, 3.2% (n=3) where it was a multiple assailant assault with only female assailants and 34.7% (n=33) cases with male and female assailants. 74.7% (n=71) of victims identified as female, 24.2% (n=23) as male and 1.1% (n=1) as 'other'. The average age of attenders was 27.0 ± 10.7 years old. 54.7% (n=52) of attendances were within 72 hours of the assault. 52.6% (n=50) of these underwent a forensic examination. 30.5% (n=29) of incidents occurred in the assailant's home. 23% of assailants were described as a friend of the victim/survivor. 34.7% (n=33) sustained bodily injuries (genital and/or extra-genital). CONCLUSION: Female perpetrated sexual assault is a distinct entity when analysing attendances to the national sexual assault treatment unit network, representing just under 2% of all attendances. We have shown that those who experience these assaults are likely to be female, be assaulted by a single female perpetrator who is known to them and attend a sexual assault treatment unit within 72 hours of the assault. Awareness of the characteristics of these attendances will ultimately allow us to develop appropriate supports for these victims/survivors and to raise awareness of this type of crime.

The prevalence of genital injuries in post-pubertal females presenting for forensic examination after reported sexual violence: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence is a prevalent issue in contemporary society requiring a robust forensic healthcare response. It is critically important that forensic examiners put clinical examination findings into an appropriate evidence-based context. The presence of genital injuries has been shown to increase the likelihood of successful criminal prosecution and report the crime. However, the reported rates of genital injury vary widely in published studies. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: We aim to critically evaluate and synthesize existing literature on the prevalence of genital injuries in post-pubertal females, examined following sexual violence, with a view to describing the prevalence and characteristics of genital injuries as well as the range of forensic practices employed. METHODS: Three online databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) were systematically searched with key terms. RESULTS: Of the 1224 studies screened, 141 full-text publications met the inclusion criteria. Reported injury prevalence rates varied widely. Details pertaining to forensic examinations included in each study, such as grade of the examiner, type of examination, location of examination, and time interval from assault to examination also varied widely. Injury prevalence was highest in studies where enhanced visualization techniques were utilized. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review demonstrates that there is no universally agreed standard for documenting genital injuries in cases of sexual violence and highlights the need for standardized approaches and guidelines for assessing, documenting, and reporting these injuries. The review provides robust evidence to support a call for establishing consistent context, terminology, classification systems, and data collection methods to improve the comparability and reliability of future research findings.

Victims of drug facilitated sexual assault aged 13-24: a cross sectional study on the pool of users of a sexual violence relief centre in Northern Italy.

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the association between drugs and alcohol intake and sexual abuse in adolescents, otherwise defined as Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA). We considered the survivors who accessed care at the Centre "Soccorso Violenza Sessuale" (SVS - Sexual Violence Relief Centre) in Turin (Italy), between May 2003 and May 2022. We found that 973 patients aged 13-24 among which 228 were victims of DFSA. Epidemiological and anamnestic aspects of the episode of sexual violence were examined, with a specific focus on investigating the alcohol and/or drug intake as reported by the victim, along with the results of the toxicological analysis. the study further accounts for the variations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on DFSA-related accesses. Our findings show that 23% of adolescents accessing care at SVS were subjected to DFSA. Six out ten adolescents knew their aggressor, at times a partner (10%) oran acquaintance (43%). In 12% of cases violence was perpetrated by a group of people (12%). Almost 90% of young victims described alcohol consumption, while 37% reported drug use at the time of the assault. Alcohol taken alone or in combination with other substances was the most detected drug in our sample throughout the period considered. Given the large use of psychoactive substances among adolescents, it is imperative to implement harm reduction strategies alongside educational activities aimed at fostering awareness about consent. Health personnel should be trained to manage the needs of victims of DFSA clinically and forensically.

Web-Based Initiatives to Prevent Sexual Offense Perpetration: A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Web-based programs to prevent sexual offense perpetration could provide an opportunity that avoids many of the barriers associated with in-person treatment. The aim of this systematic review is to give an overview of the literature on web-based initiatives aimed at sexual offense perpetration prevention published during the last 10 years (2013-2023) and to report data on the efficacy as well as issues of the discussed initiatives. RECENT FINDINGS: We included 18 empirical studies discussing web-based perpetration prevention initiatives, of which six are randomized controlled trials. Among the articles, four cover programs focusing on prevention of sexual reoffending and 14 discuss programs aimed at preventing initial sexual offenses. Evaluations and observations of web-based initiatives aimed at preventing sexual offense perpetration show overall promising results and are well-appreciated. However, evaluation studies are scarce and more randomized controlled trials replicating this effect are warranted.

Attachment Theory and Sexual Offending: Making the Connection.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to discuss how attachment theory can be applied to explain sexual violence. Specifically, it discusses how the development of certain risk factors contributes to these behaviors and how attachment-based models can be used to address this issue through prevention and therapeutic interventions. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent research demonstrates that individuals who commit sexual offenses have higher rates of insecure attachment styles and that these styles are associated with a number of criminogenic risk factors associated with sexual offending. Such risk factors include cognitive processing difficulties, affect dysregulation, and challenges in interpersonal relationships, among others. Fortunately, treatment interventions have been shown to foster more secure attachment styles and reduce these risk factors. Attachment theory is a viable theory to both understand and intervene with those who have committed sexual violence to reduce the risk factors associated with sexual violence.

The Media and Sexual Violence Among Adolescents: Findings from a Qualitative Study of Educators Across Vietnam.

Growing access to technology and media has presented new avenues of influence on youth attitudes and norms regarding sexuality and sexual violence, as well as new technological pathways through which to perpetrate sexual violence. The aim of this research was to understand contextual influences on and needs for scale-up of sexual violence prevention programming in the media-violence context of Vietnam. We conducted 45 interviews with high school teachers (n = 15), university lecturers (n = 15), and affiliates from youth-focused community service organizations (n = 15) from across Vietnam. Additionally, we conducted four sector-specific focus groups with a sub-sample of interview participants (k = 4, n = 22). Media and technology were brought up consistently in relation to sexual violence prevention and sexual health information. Key informants noted that, in Vietnam, generational differences in acceptability of sex and lack of comprehensive sexuality education intersect with new technological opportunities for exposure to sexual information and media. This creates a complex landscape that can promote sexual violence through priming processes, instigate mimicry of violent media, and presents new opportunities for the perpetration of sexual violence though technology. Development of comprehensive sexual education, including violence prevention education, is imperative, with consideration of age-specific needs for Vietnamese youth.

Understanding U.S. Caregivers' Perceptions of Youth's Sexting Motivations and Concerns About Their Children's Sexting Involvement: Fall ConsumerStyles Survey, 2018 and 2019.

Sexting is associated with a range of negative outcomes among youth. While parents and caregivers can play a critical role in the prevention of youth risk behaviors, nationally representative research has yet to examine U.S. caregivers' perceptions of youth's sexting motivations to help inform sexting risk prevention efforts. Using 2018 and 2019 Fall ConsumerStyles online panel survey data (N = 1,034), this study estimated and examined U.S. caregivers' perceptions of youth's sexting motivations and the associations of such perceptions with concerns about their children (ages 10-17) getting and sharing sexts (sexual messages, photos, videos). Weighted percentages were calculated to describe caregivers' perceptions of youth's sexting motivations. Logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between caregivers' perceptions and concerns about youth's sexting. Results suggest that many caregivers perceive youth sext because they think it is harmless (72.79%), they want to be popular or boast (70.51%), they have low self-esteem (52.00%), and/or it is part of their sexual exploration process (49.05%). Fewer caregivers perceived that youth sext because they want revenge (21.80%) or to harm others (16.06%). Caregivers' concerns about their children getting and sharing sexts were related to perceiving that youth sext because of low self-esteem, sexual exploration processes, or to harm others. The perception that youth sext because they want to be popular or boast was related to concern about youth getting but not sharing sexts. Odds of concern were significantly higher among caregivers from some racial/ethnic subgroups. Findings can inform sexting prevention efforts that include caregivers.

Empirically Assessing the Effectiveness of the Pathways Programme: An Online Self-Help Intervention for Male Sexual Aggression at UK Universities.

Though contemporary evidence suggests that upwards of one-in-nine UK male university students engage in sexually violent behaviors (Hales and Gannon in Sexual Abuse 34:744-770, 2022), few evidence-based primary prevention strategies have been developed to prevent their perpetration. To help contribute to this evidence gap, this study evaluated the short and longer-term effectiveness of a novel psychoeducation-based online self-help intervention for university male sexual aggression called The Pathways Programme. Designed around current empirical understanding of university-based sexual harm in the UK, the program contains six modules that correspond with known risk factors for perpetration. Data were collected as part of a randomized control trial from 254 self-identified heterosexual male students enrolled at a UK university who reported a proclivity towards sexual aggression. Results showed that participants who took part in the program displayed moderate reductions in their self-perceived likelihood of sexual aggression (our primary treatment target) across testing points, as well as reductions in their self-reported levels of hostility towards women, rape myth acceptance, and problematic sexual fantasies (our secondary treatment targets). Control participants also displayed reductions in some domains over time, albeit to a lesser degree. Additional analyses probed the factors associated with participant drop-out, clinical and reliable change, and user feedback. Overall, our study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of The Pathways Programme at reducing UK university males' risk of sexual aggression; however, we caution readers that more robust evaluation is necessary to support intervention rollout. We discuss our findings alongside the limitations of our study and provide suggestions for future research.

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence in Emerging Adulthood: Exploring Sexual Consent Attitudes as a Target for Sexual Coercion Prevention.

While intimate partner violence is now recognized as a major societal and international issue, sexual violence between partners remains understudied despite its significant prevalence rates and the specific contexts in which it occurs. The aim of this study was to analyze the links between different dimensions of sexual consent and sexual coercion experienced within intimate relationships in order to identify targets for prevention campaigns. The study was carried out during a time of transition in the sociopolitical and legislative context in Belgium linked to the implementation of a reform to the sexual criminal law, which has made the expression of sexual consent central to the qualification of sexual offenses. A total of 431 young adults (88.40% female; Mage = 22.19 years; SDage = 1.79) were recruited from the general population through an online survey to analyze the links between attitudes and beliefs toward sexual consent, attachment style, mental health, and sexual victimization between partners. Results showed that a lack of perceived behavioral control over establishing sexual consent, as well as the avoidance of intimacy, predicted sexual victimization. The clinical implications of these findings are discussed and potential public policy responses for prevention and awareness are suggested. Future research should further investigate and conceptualize sexual consent as it relates to sexual coercion in a more representative sample from an intersectional perspective.

A Critical Discourse Analysis of Sexual Violence Survivors and Censorship on the Social Media Platform TikTok.

Sexual violence is a public health threat in the USA and past research has found that survivors who seek support and disclose their experiences tend to have greater positive outcomes, such as positive life changes, reduced post-traumatic stress disorder, and fewer depressive symptoms. While social media have become an important site of disclosure, over-moderation of sex and sexuality on social media platforms due to the passing of the Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act and the Stop Enabling Sex Traffickers Act may inadvertently lead to the removal of survivors' posts and hinder their ability to build communities of support. In line with critical discourse analysis, this study examined the discursive strategies utilized in online disclosures made by sexual violence survivors on the social media platform TikTok to determine if they make use of algospeak, a neologism referring to the strategy of misspelling words or using coded language to avoid detection and deletion by site moderators. Analysis of the data indicated that sexual violence survivors do make use of algospeak, as well as direct and indirect language, to share their disclosures, and that, while TikTok claims to provide space for survivors' stories, its guidelines and approach to language about sex and sexuality may create barriers to building supportive communities.

"I Think You Covered the Three Levels of Drugs and Consent": Qualitatively Testing Different Operationalizations of an Alcohol and Other Drugs-Involved Sexual Violence.

Substance-involved rape is increasing among college students, particularly women (Koss et al., 2022). Addressing rape requires first measuring it accurately in surveys to understand its true scope and nature. We used cognitive interviews with 40 young adults to qualitatively test the construct validity of an alcohol- and other drugs (AOD)-involved rape item in the Sexual Experiences Survey by asking participants to comment on different operationalizations of this construct. Our findings revealed that different phrasings elicited different interpretations of the items by participants. Specifically, the results indicated that (1) respondents viewed the different operationalizations as a sequence of events with varying severity; (2) some participants focused on the intentionality and responsibility of the perpetrator as opposed to opportunistic perpetration; and (3) study participants consistently chose one of the operationalizations as describing "being roofied" (being drugged without consent). Participants also contributed additional scenarios not described in the questionnaire and shared their interpretations of the items. The results underscore the importance of refining survey language to properly measure AOD-involved rape and allow us to understand how to tailor appropriate questions for best comprehension. The findings indicate the benefit in including several items about AOD-involved rape in questionnaires such as the Sexual Experiences Survey, with each item addressing different scenarios of victim intoxication. The results could also have important implications for sexual violence prevention programs, which should discuss consent, intentions, and responsibility specifically in the context of AOD consumption.

Making a Bad Situation Worse: Current and Potential Unintended Consequences of Juvenile Registration for Sexual Offences.

Within the US, children and adolescents who engage in sexually abusive behavior are often subjected to sex offender registration and notification requirements, which contribute to stigmatization and forfeiture of their civil rights without empirical basis (Lancaster, 2011; Pickett et al., 2023; Zilney & Zilney, 2009). To date, 39 states subject children with adjudicated sexual offenses to sex offender registration requirements, with most recent estimates revealing that approximately 200,000 youth have been placed on sex offender registries within the US and many are now on the registry as adults (Pickett et al., 2020). This severe response-by both members of the public and policymakers-toward children who engage in inappropriate sexual behavior is imposed upon children and adolescents with adjudicated sexual offenses in an effort to meet goals of reducing sexual violence and increasing community safety. Within the current discourse, we review the history of registration and notification practices for adolescents with sexual offenses, describe what registration and notification policies entail, and then present empirical and theoretical evidence of the harmful outcomes associated with implementation of registration and notification requirements for sexual offenses. Thus, the predominant aim of this discourse is to encourage thoughtful and critical examination of registration and notification policies and their iatrogenic impacts.

"Counteract the gaslighting" - a thematic analysis of open-ended responses about what women survivors of intimate partner sexual violence need from service providers.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a prevalent but misunderstood form of gender-based violence with significant impacts women's health and well-being. Research suggests that IPSV has a specific context and unique impacts, but little is known about how to tailor service responses. To address this gap, we explored help-seeking experiences and needs among IPSV survivors after disclosure. METHODS: This study draws on qualitative data from a subsample of women who participated in a cross-sectional survey about the service needs of intimate partner violence survivors. Women who reported IPSV and provided information about IPSV-specific help-seeking needs after disclosure were included in the analysis. Open-ended text responses of 37 IPSV survivors were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS: IPSV was invisible and silenced in service responses. Three themes suggest potential ways forward. In the first theme, 'Don't dismiss it', women needed providers to take their disclosures seriously and listen to the significant impacts of IPSV on their well-being and safety. In the second theme, 'See the bigger picture', women needed service providers to understand that IPSV fits into broader patterns of abuse, and that psychological abuse and coercive control impacts women's ability to consent. In the third theme, 'counteract the gaslighting', women needed providers to educate them about the continuum of IPSV and help them label IPSV as a form of violence. CONCLUSIONS: Our exploratory findings extend the limited evidence base on IPSV and highlight a need for further in-depth research to explore a tailored approach to supporting IPSV survivors. To avoid contributing to the silencing of IPSV survivors, service responses should recognise the harmful and sexualised nature of IPSV, challenge cultural stereotypes that minimise IPSV, and understand that co-occurring psychological abuse may exacerbate shame and prevent women from articulating the source of their distress.

Gynecological health and uptake of gynecological care after domestic or sexual violence: a qualitative study in an emergency shelter.

BACKGROUND: Domestic and sexual violence have been linked to adverse gynecological and obstetric outcomes. Survivors often find it difficult to verbalize such violence due to feelings of shame and guilt. Vulnerable or socially excluded women are frequently excluded from research, particularly qualitative studies on violence. This study aimed to characterize the perceived impact of domestic or sexual violence on the gynecological health and follow-up among women with complex social situations. METHODS: We analyzed the data following inductive thematic analysis methods. RESULTS: Between April 2022 and January 2023, we conducted 25 semi-structured interviews, lasting on average 90 min (range: 45-180), with women aged between 19 and 52, recruited in an emergency shelter in the Paris area. The women described physical and psychological violence mainly in the domestic sphere, their altered gynecological and mental health and their perception of gynecological care. The levels of uptake of gynecological care were related to the characteristics of the violence and their consequences. The description of gynecological examination was close to the description of coerced marital sexuality which was not considered to be sexual violence. Gynecological examination, likely to trigger embarrassment and discomfort, was always perceived to be necessary and justified, and consent was implied. CONCLUSION: This study can help question the appropriateness of professional practices related to the prevention of violence against women and gynecological examination practices. Any gynecological examination should be carried out within the framework of an equal relationship between caregiver and patient, for the general population and for women with a history of violence. It participates in preventing violence in the context of care, and more widely, in preventing violence against women.

Prevalence of intimate partner violence among Indian women and their determinants: a cross-sectional study from national family health survey - 5.

INTRODUCTION: Intimate partner violence (IPV) can be described as a violation of human rights that results from gender inequality. It has arisen as a contemporary issue in societies from both developing and industrialized countries and an impediment to long-term development. This study evaluates the prevalence of IPV and its variants among the empowerment status of women and identify the associated sociodemographic parameters, linked to IPV. METHODS: This study is based on data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) of India, 2019-21 a nationwide survey that provides scientific data on health and family welfare. Prevalence of IPV were estimated among variouss social and demographic strata. Pearson chi-square test was used to estimate the strength of association between each possible covariate and IPV. Significantly associated covariates (from univariate logistic regression) were further analyzed through separate bivariate logistic models for each of the components of IPV, viz-a-viz sexual, emotional, physical and severe violence of the partners. RESULTS: The prevalence of IPV among empowered women was found to be 26.21%. Among those who had experienced IPV, two-thirds (60%) were faced the physical violence. When compared to highly empowered women, less empowered women were 74% more likely to face emotional abuse. Alcohol consumption by a partner was established to be attributing immensely for any kind of violence, including sexual violence [AOR: 3.28 (2.83-3.81)]. CONCLUSIONS: Our research found that less empowered women experience all forms of IPV compared to more empowered women. More efforts should to taken by government and other stakeholders to promote women empowerment by improving education, autonomy and decision-making ability.

Development and implementation of a worksite-based intervention to improve mothers' knowledge, attitudes, and skills in sharing information with their adolescent daughters on preventing sexual violence: lessons learned in a developing setting, Sri Lanka.

BACKGROUND: Sexual violence among adolescents has become a major public health concern in Sri Lanka. Lack of sexual awareness is a major reason for adverse sexual health outcomes among adolescents in Sri Lanka. This study was intended to explore the effectiveness of a worksite-based parent-targeted intervention to improve mothers' knowledge, and attitudes on preventing sexual violence among their adolescent female offspring and to improve mother-daughter communication of sexual violence prevention with the family. METHODS: "My mother is my best friend" is an intervention designed based on previous research and behavioral theories, to help parents to improve their sexual communication skills with their adolescent daughters. A quasi-experimental study was conducted from August 2020 to March 2023 in randomly selected two Medical Officer of Health (MOH)areas in Kalutara district, Sri Lanka. Pre and post-assessments were conducted among a sample of 135 mothers of adolescent girls aged 14-19 years in both intervention and control areas. RESULTS: Out of the 135 mothers who participated in the baseline survey, 127 mothers (94.1%) from the intervention area (IA) physically participated in at least one session of the intervention. The worksite-based intervention was effective in improving mothers' knowledge about adolescent sexual abuse prevention (Difference in percentage difference of pre and post intervention scores in IA and CA = 4.3%, p = 0.004), mother's attitudes in communicating sexual abuse prevention with adolescent girls (Difference in percentage difference of pre and post intervention scores in IA and CA = 5.9%, p = 0.005), and the content of mother-daughter sexual communication (Difference in percentage difference of pre and post intervention scores in IA and CA = 27.1%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Worksite-based parenting program was effective in improving mothers' knowledge about sexual abuse prevention among adolescent daughters and in improving the content of mother-daughter communication about sexual abuse prevention. Developing appropriate sexual health programs for mothers of different ethnicities, and cultures using different settings is important. Conduction of need assessment programs to identify the different needs of mothers is recommended.

3-month prevalence of unwanted sexual contact victimization in a national sample of college students: differences by race, gender identity, and sexual identity.

IMPORTANCE: Most unwanted sexual contact victimization (USCV) research utilizes predominantly white, cisgender, heterosexual college student samples. Estimates of USCV prevalence and demographic variation can determine the need for dedicated funding and culturally relevant campus services for students in high-risk groups. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the national prevalence and demographic variation in self-reported USCV within the first three months of college. DESIGN: Data are from the Sexual Assault Prevention for Undergrads (SAPU) (2020-2021) dataset. SAPU is an online intervention program administered to students on more than 600 college campuses in the United States (N = 250,359). Group differences were assessed by race/ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual identity, and then stratified by gender to assess within-gender group differences. SETTING: The SAPU dataset includes public and private institutions and 2-year and 4-year colleges with varying sizes of enrollment. PARTICIPANTS: The sample is demographically diverse, and consists of newly matriculated U.S. college students, most of whom complete the SAPU program within the first three months of enrollment. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome measure is self-reported USCV within the first three months of college enrollment, analyzed for subgroup differences. We hypothesized that USCV would be higher among students from racial/ethnic, gender, and sexual minority populations. RESULTS: Nearly 8% of transgender men reported USCV, followed by 7.4% of transgender women, 7.4% of genderqueer/gender non-conforming students, 4.5% of women, and 1.5% of men. Several subgroups reported exceedingly high rates of USCV, including Black students who identified as transgender women (35.7%) and American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander students who identified as trans men (55.6%) or genderqueer/gender non-conforming (41.7%). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Universal and targeted (selective and indicated) intervention programs are needed to lessen USCV, particularly among gender minority students who also identify as Black, Indigenous, other person of color, or as a sexual minority.

Characterizing myths of sexual aggression in the young population in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Myths of sexual aggression have a negative influence in aggressive behavior against women, in the institutional approaches to sexual violence and in how women cope with it. The objective of this study is to describe acceptance of myths of sexual aggression in young women and men residing in Spain. METHOD: Cross-sectional study carried out online with 2,515 women (50.2%) and men (49.8%) ages 18-35 in Spain in 2020. Information on myths was collected using the Acceptance of Modern Myths About Sexual Aggression Scale (AMMSA). We described the myths most prevalent among women and men. The variables associated with myths were identified using multiple regression. The regression models were adjusted by sociodemographic and sexual orientation variables. RESULTS: The average AMMSA values were higher among men [mean: 3.11; standard deviation (sd):1.23] than among women (mean 2.49 sd:1.11). In both sexes, the myths with greater acceptance showed the presence of patriarchal gender roles in sexual contacts. Men were more likely than women to accept myths that question allegations and severity of violence. Having a higher level of educational studies (ß -0.350 sd: 0.046) was associated with lower average AMMSA values. Being born in Latin America (ß 0.047 sd: 0.063) was associated with higher average AMMSA values. Among heterosexual men, AMMSA values were greater than among gay and bisexual men. Among women, there was no difference in average AMMSA values based on sexual orientation. CONCLUSIONS: Myths persist during youth that question and trivialize sexual violence against women. It is necessary to implement strategies that reduce these myths, particularly in heterosexual men, in those of foreign-born origin and among those with low levels of education.