SEXUAL REVICTIMIZATION: A Review of the Empirical Literature

• Published in: Trauma, violence & abuse Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 103 - 129
• Main Authors: CLASSEN, CATHERINE C., PALESH, OXANA GRONSKAYA, AGGARWAL, RASHI
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thousand Oaks, CA Sage Publications 01-04-2005; Sage Publications Ltd
• Subjects: Abuse; Adolescent; Child; Child abuse & neglect; Child Abuse, Sexual - prevention & control; Child Abuse, Sexual - psychology; Child Abuse, Sexual - rehabilitation; Child Abuse, Sexual - statistics & numerical data; Child sexual abuse; Childhood; Children; Correlation analysis; Ethnic groups; Ethnic Groups - statistics & numerical data; Ethnicity; Female; Humans; Interpersonal relations; Literature reviews; Longitudinal studies; Male; Membership; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental Disorders - psychology; Minority & ethnic groups; Psychiatry; Psychological distress; Rape - prevention & control; Rape - psychology; Rape - rehabilitation; Rape - statistics & numerical data; Recurrence; Risk analysis; Risk Factors; Self control; Sex crimes; Sexual assault; Victimization; rape; sexual violence; child abuse; revictimization; sexual aggression; sexual assault; child sexual abuse; victimization; sexual revictimization
• ISSN: 1524-8380; 1552-8324
• DOI: 10.1177/1524838005275087

This article reviews the literature on sexual revictimization, covering approximately 90 empirical studies and includes a discussion of prevalence, risk factors, and correlates of sexual revictimization. Research suggests that two of three individuals who are sexually victimized will be revictimized. The occurrence of childhood sexual abuse and its severity are the best documented and researched predictors of sexual revictimization. Multiple traumas, especially childhood physical abuse, and recency of sexual victimization are also associated with higher risk. There is preliminary evidence that membership in some ethnic groups or coming from a dysfunctional family places an individual at a greater risk. Revictimization is associated with higher distress and certain psychiatric disorders. People who were revictimized show difficulty in interpersonal relationships, coping, self-representations, and affect regulation and exhibit greater self-blame and shame. Existing research on prevention efforts and treatment is discussed. More longitudinal studies on sexual revictimization are needed.