Part 2: Adolescent Sexual Assault Risk Factors with Known Assailants and Implications for Prevention

INTRODUCTION: Adolescent victims of sexual assault suffer increased likelihood of rape revictimization and/or physical involvement in abusive relationships as adults, with self destructive behaviors (i.e. alcoholism or drug abuse), and/or mental health issues.

AIMS: This study's purpose was to replicate two previous studies to determine if characteristics of and changes in adolescent sexual assault victims and their offenders over time occurred, and to explore factors leading to planning prevention of adolescent sexual assault by known and interfamilial assailants.

DESIGN/METHODS: The design included a convenience sample from a retrospective chart review June 2012 to June 2013 using descriptive and analytical evaluation. The methods included data extraction from an urban child advocacy center comparable to the data from 2 previous research studies. The inclusion criteria was female and male victims of sexual assault, ages 13 through 17 years old.  Maslow's Heirarcy of Needs and Haddon’s Matrix framework served to organize common variables and guides prevention proposals.

RESULTS: Results similar to the former studies validated little change in offender strategies and victim vulnerability.  From the three studies, the identification of prevention measures focus on satisfying basic Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs, parenting according to Maslow’s hierarchy, adequate adolescent supervision and intervention, and building capacity in community intervention organizations. and educatiional outreach to pertinent community stakeholders involved in the adolescent’s life. Future research includes examination of parenting influences and adolescent choices to minimize risk of sexual assault.