Introduction to Sexual Violence
Abstract
Sexual violence began to receive proper attention in the United States in the 1990s with the first national Violence Against Women survey, the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, and the addition of violence as a priority area in the Healthy People 2000 initiative. With advances in public health surveillance and clearer definitions of sexual violence, we have begun to see increased sophistication of sexual violence information. This chapter explores the definition and measurement of sexual violence in the United States and how it has evolved in the fields of health, civil rights, and criminal justice. The chapter further discusses risk factors for sexual violence victimization including socioeconomic status, race, cultural background, and cumulative trauma. The chapter concludes with a focus on consequences of sexual violence, especially relating to mental health and maternal and child health.