The effect of physically or non-physically forced sexual assault on trajectories of sport participation from adolescence through young adulthood

Breaking the silence: Phenomenological unveiling of the hidden impact of abuse on Iranian athletes

Abuse is a social concern in all life affairs including sports. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experience of Iranian athletes who had been abused in sports. The participants were six athletes who had experienced abuse in sports. Due to the sensitivity of the issue, they were selected through the purposeful snowball sampling method. The results of the research showed seven main themes in the Iranian athletes' experience of abuse in sports: (1) stigma, (2) suppressed hatred and anger, (3) psychological pendulum of continuing and abandoning sport, (4) trampled emotions, (5) ambiguity and imposed harassment, (6) victimhood, and (7) feelings of self-blame. Our findings indicate that abuse among athletes is a multifaceted issue that can take different angles. A better understanding of abuse in sports can help prevent and manage this phenomenon.

Sexual Assault Victimization in Premature Female Mortalities: Evidence from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health

Previous research has documented many behavioral problems associated with being a female victim of sexual assault, but little attention has been devoted to whether this experience might be related to premature mortalities. We investigated this utilizing the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health survey, collected from over 10,000 adolescent females in 1995, whose premature deaths (n = 65) were noted in 2007 in National Death Index records. Significant associations were found between females with a substance misuse history and their premature deaths, but not with being a sexual assault victim. The subset of respondents (n = 208) evincing both these characteristics showed significantly higher risks of dying prematurely, as did those females with early histories of drug misuse alone. Yet, adolescent females with histories of drug misuse who also attempted suicide (n = 214) did not show similar elevated risks of dying prematurely compared to others without these experiences. This exploratory evidence points to an affinity between both being a female sexual assault victim and having an early history of misusing drugs, putting such people at heightened risks for dying prematurely, suggesting the potential benefits of counseling and supportive services for those so affected.

Sexual Violence Against Women With Disabilities: Experiences With Force and Lifetime Risk

INTRODUCTION

Emerging research suggests that people with disabilities experience an increased risk of sexual violence. However, few studies have examined the relationship between disability types and various forms of sexual violence, involving either physical or nonphysical force.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study used nationally representative data from years 2011-2017 of the National Survey of Family Growth among women aged 18-44 years. Analyses were conducted in March 2020-June 2021. Using binary and multinomial logistic regression models, lifetime risk of sexual violence and experience of physical or nonphysical force at first intercourse were modeled as a function of disability type (sensory, physical, cognitive, or ≥2 disabilities). Models also controlled for relevant demographic confounders.

RESULTS

Women with any type of disability reported experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime approximately double the proportion of that experienced by nondisabled women (∼30% vs 16.9%), with women with multiple disabilities experiencing the greatest prevalence (42.1%) and risk (AOR=2.94, p<0.001) than nondisabled women. Women with cognitive disabilities or multiple disabilities were significantly more likely to experience either physical (cognitive: AOR=1.55, p<0.001; multiple: AOR=1.50, p<0.05) or nonphysical force (cognitive: AOR=2.28, p<0.01; multiple: AOR=2.74, p<0.001) during their first intercourse than nondisabled women.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study suggest that future research should focus on the association between various types of disability and sexual violence. The development of inclusive evidence-based violence intervention and prevention programs for girls and women with disabilities is recommended.