Prior research has indicated that childhood sexual abuse CSA, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD symptoms are important risk factors for adult sexual assault ASA.
Prior research has indicated that childhood sexual abuse CSA, alcohol use, and posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD symptoms are important risk factors for adult sexual assault ASA. A notable limitation of this prior work, however, is that it has almost exclusively focused on heterosexual women. The present study sought to remedy this by examining the extent to which CSA, alcohol use, and PTSD symptoms related to ASA among lesbians n = 122 and gay men n = 117. Using structural equation modeling, we found that alcohol use was the best predictor of ASA among lesbians whereas CSA was the best predictor of ASA among gay men. These results suggest that certain risk factors may be differentially related to ASA among groups with different sexual orientations. Such findings deepen our current understanding of ASA and offer important directions for reducing the risk of ASA for lesbian and gay individuals. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.