Abstract
Sexual harassment and sexual coercion have received considerable public attention. However, the extent of these problems nationally and the breadth of their health consequences are not fully understood. We estimated the national prevalence of sexual harassment and sexual coercion, and examined their relationship to HIV risk in the general U.S. population. Data came from a 1992 telephone survey of a random probability sample of 2,030 U.S. adults aged 18–49 years. Nationally, 16% of men and 33% of women reported having been sexually harassed, and 4% of men and 16% of women reported having been sexually coerced. Significantly higher HIV risk was observed among male victims of sexual harassment compared to nonvictims (32% vs. 22%), but not among women (17% vs. 14%). HIV risk for men did not differ by having experienced sexual coercion (31% vs. 23%), but female victims reported more risk behavior than nonvictims (26% vs. 13%). Greater HIV risk found among victims argues for prevention efforts that focus on their particular needs.
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Choi, KH., Binson, D., Adelson, M. et al. Sexual Harassment, Sexual Coercion, and HIV Risk Among U.S. Adults 18-49 Years. AIDS Behav 2, 33–40 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022355206905
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022355206905