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.
Falck
R S
RS
Health Services Research Project, Wright State University School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45435, USA.
Wang
J
J
Carlson
R G
RG
Siegal
H A
HA
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