The epidemiology of physical attack and rape among crack-using women.
This prospective study examines the epidemiology of physical attack and rape among a sample of 171 not-in-treatment, crack-cocaine using women. Since initiating crack use, 62% of the women reported suffering a physical attack. The annual rate of victimization by physical attack was 45%. Overall, more than half of the victims sought medical care subsequent to an attack. The prevalence of rape since crack use was initiated was 32%, and the annual rate was 11%. Among those women having been raped since they initiated crack use, 83% reported they were high on crack when the crime occurred as were an estimated 57% of the perpetrators. Logistic regression analyses showed that duration of crack use, arrest for prostitution, and some college education were predictors of having experienced a physical attack. Duration of crack use and a history of prostitution were predictors of suffering a rape. Drug abuse treatment programs must be sensitive to high levels of violence victimization experienced by crack-cocaine using women. Screening women for victimization, and treating the problems that emanate from it, may help make drug abuse treatment more effective.
Health Services Research Project, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA.
R S
RS
Falck
J
J
Wang
R G
RG
Carlson
H A
HA
Siegal
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019970:Cocaine-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D016578:Crack Cocaine; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D009820:Ohio / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011477:Sex Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016320:Substance Abuse Treatment Centers; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D016578:Crack Cocaine