Prevalence and Characteristics of Sexual Violence, Stalking, and Intimate Partner Violence Victimization—National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, United States, 2011
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional national survey (graded by design analogy)
OpenAlex W1553236456 · doi:10.2105/ajph.2015.302634
What was done
Researchers analyzed data from the 2011 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), a dual-frame (landline and mobile phone) random-digit-dial survey of noninstitutionalized English- and Spanish-speaking adults aged 18 and older across all 50 US states and the District of Columbia. The survey collected data via 12,727 completed and 1,428 partially completed interviews to assess lifetime and 12-month prevalence of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as age of onset and perpetrator characteristics.
What was found
Lifetime prevalence of rape was 19.3% for women and 1.7% for men (12-month prevalence: 1.6% for women; male 12-month cases were too few to yield reliable estimates). Other lifetime sexual violence was reported by 43.9% of women and 23.4% of men (12-month: 5.5% vs. 5.1%). Lifetime stalking was reported by 15.2% of women and 5.7% of men (12-month: 4.2% vs. 2.1%). Lifetime severe physical IPV was reported by 22.3% of women and 14.0% of men (12-month: 2.3% vs. 2.1%). Lifetime IPV-related rape affected 8.8% of women and 0.5% of men. Most victims experienced first victimization before age 25: 78.7% of female rape victims (40.4% before 18), 71.0% of men made to penetrate (21.3% before 18), and 71.1% of female and 58.2% of male IPV victims. Female victims reported predominantly male perpetrators; male victims reported mostly male perpetrators for rape, predominantly female perpetrators for being made to penetrate and sexual coercion, and an even sex distribution for stalking and unwanted sexual contact.
Why it matters
This study provides representative national benchmark estimates of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence in the United States, highlighting that victimization frequently begins during adolescence or early adulthood.
Limits
The study is cross-sectional and relies entirely on retrospective self-report, introducing potential recall and social desirability biases. It excludes institutionalized populations, individuals without telephone access, and individuals who speak languages other than English or Spanish. Sample counts for certain low-frequency events, such as past-year male rape, were too small to produce statistically reliable estimates.
Cited by
- context Men commit approximately 57% to 60% of intimate partner violence.