Top 5 Takeaways

1. Higher Prevalence Among Sexual Minority Women: Sexual minority women, including those identifying as bisexual or lesbian, report significantly higher rates of nonvoluntary or forced sex compared to sexual majority women.
2. Younger Age of First Experience: Sexual minority women experience their first nonvoluntary or forced sex at younger ages than sexual majority women, with ages ranging from 12.5 to 16.3 years.
3. Multidimensional Sexual Orientation: The study highlights the importance of considering sexual identity, attraction, and behavior to fully understand the disparities in sexual victimization among women.
4. Need for Targeted Prevention: Comprehensive prevention approaches tailored for sexual minority women are necessary to address the higher prevalence of sexual violence and child sexual abuse.
5. Engagement in Prevention Efforts: Involving sexual minority women in developing sexual violence prevention strategies can ensure their experiences are adequately represented and addressed.

Original Article Author and Citation

Corresponding Author

Grace S. Liu, gliu@cdc.gov, 404-498-2780

Suggested Citation

Liu GS, Harper CR, Johns MM, Mercer Kollar LM. Nonvoluntary or Forced Sex Among Women, by Sexual Identity, Attraction, and Behavior — National Survey of Family Growth, United States, 2011–2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2021;70:1326–1331. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7038a33

Summary

This study analyzed data from the National Survey of Family Growth (NSFG) to estimate the prevalence of lifetime forced vaginal intercourse and nonvoluntary first vaginal intercourse among women aged 18–44 years in the United States, stratified by sexual identity, attraction, and behavior. The findings reveal that sexual minority women experience significantly higher rates of nonvoluntary or forced sex compared to sexual majority women, and these experiences occur at younger ages. The study underscores the need for targeted prevention efforts to address sexual violence among sexual minority women.

Methods

The NSFG is a nationally representative, cross-sectional household survey conducted by CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics. Data from women aged 18–44 years from the 2011–2013, 2013–2015, and 2015–2017 survey cycles were combined. Log-binomial regressions and ANOVAs were performed to compare experiences across dimensions of sexual orientation, controlling for demographic characteristics. The analysis included 14,309 female respondents, and prevalence ratios were adjusted for age, race and ethnicity, education, and poverty status.

Discussion

The study’s results are consistent with previous findings that sexual minority women are at higher risk for nonvoluntary or forced sex and experience these events at younger ages. The findings highlight the need for further research into the social mechanisms and norms that contribute to sexual violence against sexual minority women. The study also emphasizes the importance of engaging sexual minority women in developing prevention strategies to ensure their experiences are represented.

Conclusion

Given the higher prevalence of nonvoluntary or forced sex among sexual minority women, comprehensive prevention efforts are warranted. These efforts should include changing harmful norms and attitudes about gender and sexuality, improving bystander behaviors, and creating protective environments. Additionally, inclusive sex education curricula can promote healthy sexuality and safe relationship skills for sexual minority women.

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