Sexual History and Communication

Sexual History and Communication

The Relationship Between History of Sexual Compulsion and
Perceived Interpersonal Communication Skills

A result of many years of research, data collection, crime statistics, and
interviews has been that sexual coercion ( the act of forcing, pressuring or tricking
persons into a sexual act) is now known to be relatively prevalent.   Half of all
women in college and in the workplace report experiencing sexual harassment.
Approximately 25 % of women are rape victims, and 70% of girls are sexually
coerced during childhood.1,2,3
Although somewhat occurring more often with women, men also experience
degrees of sexual coercion.   Men, however, are in general less apt to discuss the
subject.   For instance, among adolescent boys, 11 to 15% 4,5 report unwanted sexual
activity.   On the other hand, over a third of college age men acknowledge having
experience with sexual coercion.   This may be due to the fact that this group is
generally subjected to a great deal more unwanted sexual activity.6
Whether male or female, the prevailing indication is that sexual coercion
leads to problems of various sorts.7   Consequences range from high risk behaviors
and problems in school to an individuals sense of self and uncertainty about
interpersonal relationships.   A long term result of such subjection may be evidenced
in serious problems concerning the conjunction of child abuse and the subsequent
risk for HIV/AIDS8,9,10.   A national survey recently confirmed this phenomenon.11  
A more recent study, conducted by a private family planning clinic, explores
the relationship between interpersonal communication, psychological status and
sexual coercion.   Researchers surveyed two sample groups of adolescents: one from
the family planning clinic and the other from a local private high school.
Characteristics, such as race, income level, and age, were matched.   Questions
asking about sexual communication were calibrated by scales used with other
adolescent samples...