Oklahoma women and sexual violence, results from a random telephone survey, 2006

Purpose: To gather information on women's attitudes, beliefs, and opinions regarding sexual assault, use of services, sexual assault prevention, and victimization data.

Method: A random telephone survey of Oklahoma women 18-35 years of age was conducted from May 15 - July 21, 2006.

Results: A total of 602 women were interviewed. The most frequently endorsed belief/attitude was “rape can occur in a marriage or intimate relationship” (96.2% agreed). Only slightly more than half (51.8%) agreed that rape can be prevented. Respondents believed that prevention strategies should target women (52.8%), men (6.3%) and both sexes (19.9%). Nearly one-third (31.2%) of respondents had been sexually assaulted; 1.2% had been assaulted in the past 12 months. Nearly three-fourths of sexually assaulted women were younger than 18 years of age when the first sexual assault occurred. Only 7.7% of assailants in the most recent assault were strangers; 92.3% were persons the victim knew. Responses dealing with reporting to police, use of medical treatment, and use of sexual assault services indicated a substantial gap between what respondents would likely do and what women who had been victims of sexual assault actually did. The majority (59.3%) of women were not aware of organizations that help sexual assault victims.

Conclusions: These data indicate that sexual violence victimization among Oklahoma women and girls is a major public health concern. Prevention strategies should target acquaintance rape and sexual assault of females, especially those younger than 18 years of age.