Disclosure Experiences of Sexual Violence Survivors: Findings from a National Sample of Sexual Minority Women

• In Event: Poster Session 1

Abstract

Sexual minority women (SMW) are more likely to experience sexual violence (SV) than non-SMW and are more likely to experience barriers to help-seeking. There is an extensive body of literature on disclosure experiences to formal and informal social support providers by SV survivors. To date, however, few SV studies include sexual minority populations, and even fewer studies disaggregate sexual minority populations to assess potential heterogeneity between unique sexual identities (e.g., lesbian, bisexual). To address this gap in literature, a national sample of women were recruited from the crowdsourcing platform Prime Panels using a non-probability quota sampling approach. Guided by Ullman’s (2010) Social Ecological Model to Sexual Assault Disclosure and Help-Seeking Outcomes and Meyer’s (2003) Minority Stress Model, the current exploratory study examined the association between openness of one’s sexuality, feelings about sexual identity, and help-seeking behaviors among SMW SV survivors. Findings from this study provide recommendations for future research, theory, and tertiary SV prevention efforts.

Authors

• Madelyn Diaz, RTI International

• Anais Toussaint, Nova Southeastern University

• Elana Gabriel, Montclair State University