Examining Experiences of Sexual Violence at the Intersection of Gender,Sexual Orientation,Race,and Ethnicity Using National U.S. Data Among Sexual and Gender Diverse Youth

Abstract

Experiences of sexual violence are often underreported and can lead to comorbidities related to mental health and substance use across all populations, yet little is known about these experiences among sexual and gender diverse youth (SGDY). Drawing from the 2022 LGBTQ National Teen Survey, the current study (N = 10,527) used an intersectional analytic approach to investigate sexual violence at the intersection of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, and ethnicity among SGDY. Participants were selected based on responses to at least one survey item about sexual violence or harassment. Of the included participants, most identified their gender as non-binary (16.5%) or transgender boys (19.65%) and their sexual orientation as gay/lesbian (28.8%). Participants were predominantly white (73%), non-Hispanic/Latina/x/o (83.1%), and between the ages of 13 to 18. Results showed that 14.4% reported having ever been forced to have sex and 30.2% experienced nonconsensual sexual touching in the past 12 months. Using exhaustive chi-square automatic interaction detection, we identified disproportionate intersectional experiences of forced sex among American Indian, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander adolescents, identifying these populations as almost two times more likely to experience forced sex in comparison to the rest of the sample. In addition, transgender boys, especially those who identified as queer or pansexual, experienced some of the highest rates of sexual violence. Findings can be used to inform sexual violence prevention and treatment programs aimed at bolstering access to more inclusive social services for groups sharing disproportionate burdens of sexual violence.