Objectives:
1.To compare sexual assault reports from a population-based surveillance survey with reports from various point-of-service agencies (e.g., rape crisis centers, health care providers, police)
2.To develop sexual assault incidence estimation methodology for different data sources, based on these comparisons.
Methods:
Data was collected through the 1999 Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). Women, 18-59 were asked if they had experienced sexual contact against their will. Women who had this experience within the past 5 years were asked who they reported it to (e.g., police, rape crisis centers, medical provider etc.). The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) collected data on all sexual assault incidents reported to rape crisis centers from 1995-1999. Using results from the BRFSS estimate will be made regarding the number of females 18-59 who reported their experience and to which agencies. Comparisons will be made with MDPH data regarding women in the same age category that contacted these agencies within the same time frame. If possible the study will attempt to compare the MA BRFSS data with other incident data sources in Massachusetts, such as police and medical providers.
Conclusion:
Results from these comparisons can enhance our understanding of the strengths and limitations of each of the individual data sources. It may shed some light on issues of validity for each data set. It can also provide a useful potential methodology for incidence estimation.
Learning Objectives: Identify the strengths and limitations of individual sexual assault data sources
Keywords: Sexual Assault, Data/Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Massachusetts Department of Public Health Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services program
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.