title: Condom use during sexual assault.
abstract: This study examines questions about forced unprotected sex. Study objectives include assessing the prevalence of condom use in sexual assault and improving our understanding of the correlates of condom use in sexual assault. We analyze 841 sexual assault complaints reported to three law enforcement agencies. Descriptive data are used to assess the prevalence of condom use in sexual assault and to examine the contextual factors associated with condom use in sexual assault. We conduct logistic regression analysis to examine motivations for condom use during sexual assault. Condom use prevalence rates across the sites range from 11.7% to 15.6%. Few differences exist across jurisdictions regarding the correlates of condom use. Condom use during sexual assault appears to be motivated by three contextual factors. Younger suspects and suspects who use a weapon during assaults are more likely to use a condom. The suspect's use of alcohol is negatively related to condom use. The low rates of condom use found in this study, coupled with the dangers of unprotected sexual contact, suggest that public health efforts must address the needs of victims of sexual assault more carefully.
authors.affiliation: School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Arizona State University, 411 N. Central Avenue, Suite 600, Phoenix, AZ 85004-0685, USA. enoneal@asu.edu
authors.forename: Eryn Nicole
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: O'Neal
authors.forename: Scott H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Decker
authors.forename: Cassia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spohn
authors.forename: Katharine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tellis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D017280:Condoms / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D054041:Weapons; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alcohol; Condoms; Forensic medical exams; Sexual assault; Sexually transmitted infections; Weapon use