Tactics of Sexual Control and Negative Health Outcomes

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a concerning, yet relatively understudied form of intimate partner violence (IPV). Furthermore, the majority of research regarding sexual violence fails to differentiate between different forms of control used to facilitate this violence. Although IPV has been linked to a multitude of adverse physical and health outcomes, it is less clear how these outcomes vary by type of control experienced. Using data from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), the current study examines the physical and non-physical tactics used to facilitate sexual violence, and the associated health outcomes. Potential gender differences in tactics experienced and resulting victim health are also explored. Results show that while physical force is associated with the greatest number of health outcomes, all three tactics are related to reporting adverse health. Additionally, gender analyses reveal that women are more likely to suffer from frequent headaches, injuries, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and to report a greater number of physical health outcomes and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms, while men who experienced physically forced sexual violence are more likely to report overall worse mental health than their female counterparts. These findings, along with policy implications and directions for future research, are then discussed