Contemporary Family Structures and Sexual Victimization Page: 4
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Introduction
Every year, there are approximately 237,868 victims of sexual assault in the United
States (age 12 and over). It is important to note that these numbers are approximations because
only 40% of rapes are reported to the police (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
(RAINN) 2014). These victims are at additional risk for residual consequences, as evidenced by
studies that show that childhood victimization increases the probability of recurrent abuse later in
life, and increases the risk that the victims will become abusers themselves (McCabe and
Smallbone, 2003). Furthermore, victims of sexual assault are also more likely to report
increased non-abuse related emergency room visits, more chronic health issues, and symptoms of
anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and depression (Leserman, 2005; RAINN, 2014).
When examining factors that are linked to sexual victimization, scholars have
consistently highlighted the importance of family structure (Giles-Sims and Finkehor 1984).
Although the studies have provided interesting insight into the role of the family with regard to
sexual victimization, studies continually overlook the complexities of family structures in the
United States. In light of this fact, the purpose of this study is to examine the role of different
contemporary family structures on two forms of sexual victimization, verbal and forced.
Literature Review
Family Structure and Sexual Victimization
In 2010 there were 433,350 children that experienced serious violent crime, with 807,680
experiencing simple assault, all within their own home (Smith and Truman 2012). In the same
year, family households with at least one member experiencing these categories of crime inside
their own home numbered 1,162,520. Serious violent crimes and simple assault categories do
include sexual violence numbers. Victimization rates have shown a plateau in numbers over the
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Beach, Katie & Jackson, Madison. Contemporary Family Structures and Sexual Victimization, article, 2014; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1625058/m1/4/?q=aRCHIVES: accessed May 31, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Honors College.