Women’s Sexual Violence Victimization and Sexual Health: Implications for Risk Reduction

Research consistently demonstrates that women’s experiences with sexual victimization are associated with increased sexual health risks. In this literature review, we describe the global associations between women’s sexual victimization and sexual health concerns. We present research on the intrapersonal factors that might account for this association, including mental health factors such as psychological distress and substance use, as well as other individual considerations such as self-efficacy and sexual assertiveness. Partner-related factors, such as negative and coercive responses to condom use requests, reproductive coercion, and partner risk level, are also discussed. Additionally, we present information about the ways in which women’s sexual health may be compromised from sexual assault events resulting in genital injuries, sexually transmitted infections, or unwanted pregnancy. We then discuss the implications of this body of work and suggest future directions for research, prevention, and clinical approaches that address the critical linkages between women’s sexual victimization and sexual health.