HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
Texas Statewide
Sexual Assault
Prevalence Study
Final Report
August 2015
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
Texas Statewide Sexual Assault
Prevalence Study
Final Report
August 2015
Noël Busch-Armendariz, PhD, LMSW, MPA
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez, MSSW
Sexual Assault Prevalence Research
Project Director
Matt Kammer-Kerwick, PhD
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter, Med
IDVSA Research Project Director and Content Expert Contributor
Catlin Sulley, LMSW
IDVSA Research Project Director and Content Expert Contributor
Kathleen Anderson, MSW
Director of Research Operations
Melody Huslage
Graduate Research Assistant
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Office of
Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and con-
clusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily
reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
3
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank the following people for their help with the
development of this study:
Our deepest gratitude goes out to the participants who answered our questions,
particularly the survivors of sexual assault. Their willingness to share their
experiences made this report possible and has better informed policy and
services for survivors of sexual assault in Texas.
A big Texas thank you to Carol Harvey of the Office of Title V and Family
Health at the Texas Department of State Health Services, Peggy Helton
of the Office of the Attorney General, State of Texas; and Annette
Burrhus-
Clay of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault (TAASA), for their ded-
ication and commitment to survivors of sexual assault and their vision for
this project.
Our sincere thanks and appreciation goes to Dr. Sharon G. Smith of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Injury
Prevention and Control for generously sharing her knowledge and expertise
in conducting previous national research on sexual assault.
We are grateful for the assistance and valuable insight provided by the
former Deputy Director of the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault
(TAASA), Morgan Curtis.
Thank you to Christopher Kaiser of TAASA for providing his valuable legal
expertise on specific issues including sexual assault in Texas and what
constitutes a crime.
Special recognition goes to Whitney Bliss of the Hays-Caldwell Women’s
Center in San Marcos for her commitment and dedication to working with
victims/survivors and providing specialized training to the supervisors and
interviewers on the impact of sexual assault.
A special thank you to Michelle Vrudhula and all Customer Research
International’s personnel, supervisors and interviewers for conducting
the phone surveys. Our gratitude for their hard work and professionalism
conducting interviews.
Sincere gratitude is extended to Kevin Rathge, Tillie Policastro, and all the
staff of Creative Services at The University of Texas at Austin for their hard
work, creativity, and willingness to work alongside us and especially for
their patience with the revision process of this report.
5
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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7© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9
INTRODUCTION 11
BACKGROUND 13
METHODOLOGY 17
CALL TO ACTION AND RECOMMENDATIONS 21
FINDINGS 25
ADDITIONAL FINDINGS 53
REFERENCES 59
APPENDICES 61
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9© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Executive Summary
H
ealth and Well-being: The Texas Statewide Prevalence Study on Sexual Assault
is a statewide telephone survey conducted in English and Spanish. The study
used a randomly selected, representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans.
The purpose of this report is to present the descriptive findings on sexual assault
prevalence, health and well-being in Texas, including the victims’ relationship to perpe-
trators, involvement of alcohol, reporting of sexual assault to the police and the impact
of sexual assault on victims. Below are some of the highlights from this study.
Findings
Prevalence
6.3 million (4.2 million women and 2.1 million men) or 33.2%
of adult Texans have experienced some form of sexual as-
sault in their lifetime.
Annual Rate
413,000 (2.3% women and 2% men) or 2.2% of adult Texans
experienced sexual assault within a year prior to this survey.
Multiple Victimization Rate
65.2% of victims report multiple victimizations.
Gender
Sexual assault aects all genders; however, women (2 in 5)
are twice as likely to be sexually assaulted as men (1 in 5) in
their lifetimes.
Women are more likely to experience sexual assault when
they are 18 or older (26.1%), and men when they are ages
14 to 17 (10.6%).
Race and Ethnicity
Sexual assault aects all racial and ethnic groups. Al-
though African Americans (36.8%) and White, non-Hispan-
ics (35.2%) report the highest proportion of sexual assault
and Hispanics (27.9%) the lowest, these data indicate that
all racial/ethnic groups are at risk.
Impact on Health and Well-Being
Physical, mental and emotional problems that limit activities
are nearly twice as prevalent among sexual assault victims
(41.3%) than among non-victims (26.5%).
Sexual assault victims are more likely to experience cer-
tain medical conditions. Victims are almost twice as likely as
non-victims to suer from asthma (20.9% versus 12.5%), fre-
quent headaches (21% versus 11%), irritable bowel syndrome
(9% versus 4.2%), and chronic pain (20.3% versus 9.9%).
Use of Weapons
While most sexual assaults do not involve other physical
violence, a substantial minority (14.8% for women and 1.9%
for men) does.
1
Reports to Law Enforcement
Sexual assault continues to be a severely underreported
crime. Only 9.2% of victims reported their experience to the
police.
2
Alcohol and Drug Use
Only 14.6% of victims report that they were under the
influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the sexual assault
they chose to talk about. Almost twenty-four percent of
victims reported that the perpetrator was under the influ-
ence of drugs and/or alcohol.
3
Victims reported the use of alcohol only (25.2%) more often
than the use of both alcohol and drugs (8.3%) or drugs only
(5%) during the sexual assault.
4
Call to Action and Recommendations:
Although progress has been made in eorts to prevent sexual
assault, this is a crime that continues to aect hundreds of thou-
sands of citizens in Texas. Our findings indicate that sexual as-
sault impacts the lives of both women and men throughout their
lifetime. Sexual assault is much more prevalent among women
and thus should be considered a major health issue for Texas
women. However, the suering of men and boys should not be
minimized or ignored. Sexual assault has long lasting and poten-
tially negative consequences for all victims. Advances in science
and measurement have improved our ability to understand and
describe sexual assault victimization over the last decade. Given
its prevalence and impact in Texas, benchmarking in more fre-
quent intervals is critical.
1
Data on these findings are from follow-up questions to participants who reported sexual assault victimization. The participants were asked if they were willing to talk in more
detail about one sexual assault victimization experience.
2
Ibid.
3
Ibid.
4
Ibid.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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11© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Introduction
S
exual assault is a concern among women and men and a prevalent public health
problem impacting 6.3 million or 33.2% of adult Texans over their lifetime.
In the year prior to this survey, 413,000 sexual assault crimes occurred in Texas.
Before this study, the most current statewide study on sexual assault prevalence in
Texas was in 2003. In 2003, researchers at The University of Texas at Austin found
that approximately 1.9 million adult Texans (1,479,912 females and 372,394 males) or
13% of adult Texans reported sexual assault victimization at some point in their lives
(Busch, Bell, DiNitto, & Neff, 2003). While the 2003 study created a foundation for
our knowledge of statewide prevalence of sexual assault, innovations in the science of
measuring sexual assault warrant another study. Current and comprehensive under-
standings of the prevalence and extent of reported and unreported sexual assaults
are critical to understanding the scope of the problem, designing effective responses,
and developing primary prevention strategies.
Even though there were some more recent reports on sexual
victimization, there was still a need to benchmark sexual as-
sault prevalence data in Texas. Several state agencies in Texas
also collect updated data on interpersonal violence and sexual
assault, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Oce
of the Attorney General of Texas, and Texas Health and Human
Services Commission. While these data provide information on
reported sexual assault cases, most cases of sexual assault go
unreported. As a result, these estimates might not fully capture
the scope of the problem. Our study presents more detailed data
about the scope of sexual assault prevalence and incidence spe-
cifically focused on Texas.
This report contains the results of Health and Well-Being: The
Texas Statewide Prevalence Study on Sexual Assault. The pur-
pose of this report is to present the descriptive findings on sex-
ual assault prevalence, health and well-being in Texas, including
the victims’ relationship to perpetrators, involvement of alcohol,
reporting of sexual assault to the police and the impact of sex-
ual assault on victims. Advocates, policy-makers, researchers,
medical professionals and practitioners can use these findings
to better inform institutional responses and service delivery to
victims in Texas.
How to read this report?
This report has seven major sections. The introduction, back-
ground, and methodology sections provide details about the pro-
cedures. The findings section contains relevant analyses. To make
statistical data available and easy to understand infographics and
explanatory highlights are used for each major finding. Our hope is
that this presentation achieves that purpose. There are twelve in-
fographics findings. The infographics are designed as stand-alone
sections. Readers may also download infographics individually at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa/
Finally, it was important to include results that did not yield statis-
tically relevant findings. It is important to understand that conclu-
sions should not be drawn with these data.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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13© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Background
E
xtensive studies have pointed out the short and long term health consequences
of sexual assault on victims. Consequences range from sexually transmitted
infections and clinically diagnosable illnesses such as post-traumatic stress
disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders, major depression, and other mental health
issues (Chen & Ullman, 2010; Kilpatrick, Resnick, Ruggiero, Conoscenti & McCauley,
2007; Black et al., 2011; Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006; Coles, Lee, Taft, Mazza & Loxton,
2015) to gastrointestinal disorders, migraines and frequent headaches, and physical
disabilities (Jewkes, Sen & Garcia-Moreno, 2002). Recent studies found that women
who had experienced sexual assault had significantly higher prevalence of chronic
health conditions such as physical disabilities, asthma as well as mental health
conditions including depression, anxiety (Santaularia, 2014) and suicidal ideation
(Santaularia et al., 2014; Chang et al., 2015).
Further, sexual assault victims suering from PTSD are more
likely to suer from depression and anxiety (Amenu, & Hiko,
2014). These previously documented negative health associ-
ations may not reflect all health consequences of this crime.
Given the documented poor health associations and potential
consequences for mental and physical well-being we asked
questions about participant health and wellness.
Economic Costs
In addition to health costs, sexual assault also has staggering
economic costs in Texas. According to a 2006 study, adult
sexual assault victims cost the state $27 million annually, or
$15,000 - $50,000 per victim (Busch, Camp, & Kellison, 2006),
in medical costs, lost work productivity and mental healthcare.
A study by Busch-Armendariz et al. (2011) found that sexual
assault crimes cost the state of Texas $8 billion dollars annual-
ly. Another study concluded that sexual assault cost the state
of Michigan more than $6.5 billion that year, or $108,447 per
victim. To cover the cost of sexual assault, the authors suggest
that every Michigan resident would have had to pay a “rape
tax” of $700 (Post, Mezey, Maxwell, & Wilber, 2002). A nation-
al study in 2010 found that each sexual assault victim costs
around $151,000 (DeLisi et al., 2010). If we apply a conservative
estimated cost of $100,000 per sexual assault victim to Texas
and its 80,000 cases each year, sexual assault costs the Lone
Star State nearly $8 billion annually—or a rape tax of $319 per
Texas resident (Busch-Armendariz, Heron, & Bohman, 2011).
However, this still may not completely reflect the total tangible
and intangible costs of sexual assault on society.
Prevention
The consequences and costs of sexual assault demonstrate
the eminent need for prevention strategies. Most primary pre-
vention strategies focus on educational programs of unknown
eectiveness that are oriented toward producing individual
changes in knowledge and attitudes (DeGue et al., 2014). Em-
pirical studies indicate that programs focused on an ecological
approach with particular attention to peer and community con-
texts have been more eective (Casey & Lindhorst, 2009; Flood
& Pease, 2009), in the changing of norms (Casey & Lindhorst,
2009), and attitudes toward women (Flood & Pease, 2009).
Casey and Lindhorst (2009) call attention to the importance
of focusing on more types of community and societal-level pre-
vention approaches.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201514 © 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Primary prevention aims to prevent sexual assault from hap-
pening in the first place. Prevention requires earlier interven-
tion than at college-age since the risk of sexual assault begins
early in life. Bystander intervention is one prevention strategy
that focuses on the community level. This strategy concen-
trates on changing attitudes and norms, while assigning to the
community an active engagement in prevention (Cares et al.,
2015). For example, one of the elements of bystander interven-
tion includes speaking out against rape myths, sexist language
or intervening in situations that present potential future victim-
ization (DeGue et al., 2014). According to a systematic review
of primary prevention strategies for sexual assault, bystander
intervention is among the programs with the most promising
findings (Cares et. al., 2015; Coker et al., 2011) and positive
evaluation results in changing attitudes on college campuses
(Cares et al., 2015). Understanding the importance of gather-
ing statewide data that further inform prevention programs,
our study included questions about bystander attitudes such
as speaking out and readiness to help.
Benchmarking
In Texas, the need for current data and community requests
about the prevalence of this crime, led a group of stakeholders to
mobilize around an eort for the next sexual assault prevalence
study. The current study builds on the statewide prevalence
study A Health Survey of Texans in 2003 (Busch, Bell, DiNitto,
& Ne, 2003; Busch-Armendariz et al., 2011), The National
Violence Against Women Survey (Tjaden, 1996) conducted by
the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), and survey design of The
National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (Black
et. al., 2011) which provided advancements in methodology
warranting a revision of our 2003 study methods. A working
group of professionals across the state helped to plan a sur-
vey that would fill in the knowledge gaps in Texas. The research
working group for this study included members of Department
of State Health Services (DSHS), Texas Association Against
Sexual Assault (TAASA), the Oce of the Attorney General, and
The Institute on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (IDVSA)
at The University of Texas at Austin.
DSHS and IDVSA started a partnership in June of 2014 to carry
out a statewide sexual assault prevalence study. Health and
Well-being: The Texas Statewide Prevalence Study on Sexual
Assault’s purpose was to understand the magnitude of
Texans’ experiences of sexual assault across the state. After
six months of working on the planning process and instrument
development, the survey was ready to be fielded. To conduct
the surveys, IDVSA contracted with the Customer Research In-
ternational (CRI). IDVSA in collaboration with CRI piloted and
then fielded the survey in November of 2014. Data collection
concluded in February 2015.
Background
15© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Other Statistics on Sexual Assault
Sexual assault is a highly underreported crime (National
Victim Assistance Academy, 1999). Prior to this statewide
study, information about the prevalence of rape was based
on the Uniform Crime Reports and the National Crime
Survey (NCS) conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics
(National Victim Assistance Academy, 1999). Advocates
working with sexual assault survivors, state policy makers, and
legislators in Texas and other states rely on these national
reports because state-specific statistics and reporting systems
that document the scope of sexual assault are not available.
However, these national reports have serious limitations.
The Uniform Crime Reporting Program (UCR) is a volun-
tary reporting program in which approximately 17,000 law
enforcement agencies report crimes to the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI). The UCR uses standardized oense defi-
nitions; therefore, law enforcement reports are based only on
cases that fit these definitions and are made without regard to
state statute. Currently, the development of the National Inci-
dent-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) is being used to update
this reporting system. NIBRS includes additional descriptive in-
formation about crimes. However, it still has limitations.
The National Crime Victim’s Research and Training Center
(NCVRTC, 2001) estimates that as few as one in six sexual
assault cases are reported to law enforcement. In an eort to
estimate the number of sexual assaults in Texas, both those re-
ported to law enforcement and those that are not, in April 2001,
the NCVRTC derived estimates based on a formula that utilized
findings from national surveys on sexual assault and demo-
graphics of the Texas population (such race, ethnicity, and gen-
der). However, the NCVRTC report concluded that in order “to
identify the extent of the actual problem of rape in the state of
Texas and to identify the rate of non-reported incidents and fac-
tors related to non-reporting, an epidemiological study similar
to the National Women’s Study could be conducted” (NCVRTC,
2001, p. 13). In response to this suggestion, the statewide sur-
vey of sexual assault described in this report was undertaken.
Impetus for the Study
This study adds significantly to our understanding of the expe-
rience of sexual assault among Texans. It provides information
that can assist direct service providers in targeting services to
high risk and underserved populations and developing inno-
vative services for sexual assault survivors. The findings may
dier from national studies for a variety of reasons.
This study is the second empirical study to examine prevalence
in the state of Texas specifically. While we have no reason to
believe that rates of sexual assault in Texas are dramatically dif-
ferent from other states or nationally, it is possible that there
are dierences within states that account for dierent rates of
sexual assault.
Second, studies vary in their definition or measurement of
sexual assault. As the following pages indicate, we have used
a behaviorally specific definition focusing on unwanted oral,
vaginal, and anal sex and unwanted sexual contact with other
objects. We believe that defining sexual assault in this way
results in more accurate reports of sexual assault than does
asking a person if she or he was raped. Advances in science
and measurement have improved our ability to understand and
measure sexual assault victimization over the last decade. As a
result, the prevalence and rates between 2003 and 2015 dier
(see Findings: Comparing 2003 and 2015 Prevalence in Texas
on page 31 for more information). Again, we have produced a
current, representative, and Texas-specific study of the preva-
lence of sexual assault. We have added, for the first time annual
rates. We hope that these data will assist agencies and policy-
makers in providing services for survivors of sexual assault.
Background
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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17© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Methodology
Overview
Health and Well-Being: The Texas Statewide Prevalence Study on
Sexual Assault is a statewide random digit dial (RDD) telephone
and cellphone survey of the English and Spanish speaking popu-
lation of Texas. The study used a randomly selected, representa-
tive sample of 1,203 adult Texans.
The purpose of this project is to understand Texans’ experienc-
es of health and well-being including sexual assault based on
the following research questions:
How do people living in Texas rate their health status and
behaviors, including drug and alcohol use?
How many Texans have experienced sexual assault in their
lifetime?
What is the annual rate of sexual assault in Texas?
What is the knowledge of Texans about services for victims
and involvement in eorts to end this crime?
We asked participants 15 behavioral-based questions about
their sexual assault and determined sexual assault victimiza-
tion based on the 2014 Texas Penal Code for sexual assault
and age range at the time of victimization and several follow up
questions.
Sampling Procedures
We drew a random sample from landline (60%) and mobile
phones (40%) using random-digit-dial methods. The sampling
error is ± 2.8 percentage points at the 95% confidence level
(see Appendix B for additional details about our sampling plan).
The interviewers made approximately 9,070 telephone and
mobile phone calls to reach the 1,203 participants in this study.
Eighty-two percent resulted in incomplete surveys, 48% were
non-qualified, completed surveys and 13% resulted in qualified
completed surveys. Incomplete surveys included participants
who declined to take the survey, or who the interviewers could
not reach after the initial contact. Non-qualified surveys includ-
ed participants who were underage or did not live in Texas. The
interviewers placed calls during the evening, nighttime and
weekends to ensure participants’ availability.
Limitations
There are several limitations in utilizing a telephone survey (both
landline and cellphone) to investigate sexual assault. First, it is
dicult to determine if participants (victims and non-victims)
who chose to answer this phone survey had dierent experienc-
es than those Texans who declined participation or withdrew
from the survey. Also, this phone survey may have excluded
people with disabilities, those without landline or cell phone
service, people who only spoke languages other than English or
Spanish and persons residing in institutions. Furthermore, peo-
ple who are saturated by telemarketing studies or other types
of unsolicited phone calls could have been less likely to answer
this survey. Also, participants with recent or current sexual
assault experiences might be less likely to report or even feel
ready to disclose these experiences.
Second, our methodology only included follow up questions of
one incident that participants reported. We could have missed
important data from participants who had experienced multi-
ples forms of victimizations. This might have aected data in
regard to the locations of sexual assaults and additional infor-
mation about incidents such as if they sought help, experienced
collateral violence, pregnancy and experienced distress as a re-
sult of other sexual assault victimizations.
The current study is the second time our state has examined
prevalence and rates of sexual victimization among Texans.
Although it provides the most comprehensive investigation of
sexual assault prevalence to date, many additional questions
about sexual assault victimization were generated as a result
of this undertaking.
Characteristics of the Sample
The sample of 1,203 participants consisted of 50.6% females
and 49.3% males. The racial and ethnic composition was
50.9% White, non-Hispanic, 36.1% Hispanics, 12.1% African
Americans, and 4% all other racial/ethnic groups or unknown
race/ethnicity. Participants varied in regard to income, with
21.1% under $25,000, 26.2% between $25,000 and $49,999,
19.2% between 50,000 and $74,999 and 33.4% with $75,000
and over annually. Education ranged from no schooling to
post-graduate degrees. A full description of the sample is pro-
vided in Appendix A.
Protection of Human Subjects
The Institutional Review Board (IRB) at the University of Texas at
Austin reviewed and approved this project (IRB approval No. 2014-
07-0034). Participation was completely voluntary. Participants
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201518 © 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
gave their informed verbal consent and could skip any question or
stop at any time. The CDC consent methodology of NISVS (2010)
was utilized, whereby, interviewers introduced each section with
possible outcomes so that participants could prepare emotional-
ly to answer the upcoming questions and decide if they wanted to
continue to participate.
The survey started with general questions on socio-demographic
information and health before moving on to victimization question
and a detailed report of victimization and closing with lighter ques-
tions to help the participant with emotional closure. All participants
received the National Sexual Assault Hotline number at the begin-
ning and end of the survey.
Training, Monitoring and Support of Interviewers
Customer Research International (CRI) administrators careful-
ly selected interviewers for this project. All interviewers were
CRI employees and received training on the use of the comput-
erized data collection procedures. Given the sensitive nature
of this survey, CRI interviewers, supervisors, and managers
completed two three-hour training workshops co-facilitated by
IDVSA researchers and the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center in
San Marcos, Texas. The topics of the workshops included sex-
ual assault myths, etiology, and post-traumatic responses to
sexual assault and protocols for distressed participants (see
Appendix C for more details on the training outlines).
The CRI supervisors closely monitored interviewers’ calls and
oered on-going support and suggestions to improve the data
collection procedures and compliance with protocols for the
protection of human subjects. The research team monitored
interviews during the pilot and data collection in real time and
provided ongoing feedback to CRI to ensure compliance with
protocols and the protection of subjects. The research team
also provided support to interviewers.
Distressed Participants and Protocol
The human subject’s review included a protocol for distressed
participants. Interviewers were trained on the protocol and pro-
cedures were developed to integrate our growing knowledge
of the neurobiology of sexual assault trauma including the rec-
ognition of post-traumatic responses that may have resulted
from the decision to talk about the sexual assault victimization
among study participants. The protocol included informa-
tion on identifying distressed behaviors that participants may
demonstrate such as: becoming withdrawn or quiet, taking long
pauses between the question and providing their answer, their
voice may quiver, or they may make statements that indicate
they want to end the call. In the case of an interview where a
research participant appears to be emotionally upset by the
questions in the interview guide, the interviewer will be trained
to follow the following protocol:
Ask participant if they would like to terminate the interview.
Reassure the participant that strong feelings are normal
when reliving a traumatic experience like sexual assault.
Remind participant that many people are helped to feel bet-
ter about themselves after talking with a professional about
the experience.
Tell participant about the National Sexual Assault Hotline
(NSAH).
Whenever possible, check in with the participant about what
plans they may have in place to help take care of themselves
and help problem-solve (for example, call a friend).
After hanging up with the research participant, the inter-
viewer will immediately report the incident to their supervi-
sor at CRI and fill out a report form, which will be delivered to
the CRI director.
Interviewers are encouraged to call the hotline themselves
to talk about their feelings about the call. The CRI director
will then, within 24 hours, forward the report to the Princi-
pal Investigator of the Research Project, Dr. Noël Busch-Ar-
mendariz, who will then report the incident to the IRB within
one week of the incident.
During this study, interviewers reported two cases of distressed
participants and referred both participants to the National
Sexual Assault Violence Hotline.
Survey Instrument Development
Our team of researchers developed the survey instrument in
collaboration with the Research Working Group, which consist-
ed of sexual assault experts from across the state including the
Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas Association
Against Sexual Assault, Oce of the Attorney General, and oth-
er members of IDVSA. Researchers consulted these experts
to design an instrument that was sensitive to the nature of
the study and all participants. CRI sta translated the English
version of the survey instrument. A native Spanish-speaking
Methodology
19© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
IDVSA researcher and two bilingual members of the IDVSA
research team reviewed the Spanish translation of the instru-
ment to ensure its accuracy and cultural appropriateness.
Questions build upon the National Intimate Partner and Sexual
Violence Survey (Black et al., 2011), the Statewide Prevalence
Study of Intimate Partner Violence in Texas (Busch-Armendariz,
Heron & Bohman, 2011), The Health Survey of Texans: A Focus
on Sexual Assault (Busch, Bell, DiNitto, & Ne, 2003), the Pacif-
ic Attitudes Toward Gender scale (Vaillancourt & Leaper, 1997),
the Bystander Ecacy Scale (Banyard, 2008), Readiness to
Help Scale (Banyard, Moynihan, Cares & Warner, 2014) and
several other references.
The survey has four sections. Section I covers demographic and
socioeconomic variables, participants’ health and well-being,
drug and alcohol use, attitudes and perceptions about sexual
assault. Since we framed the survey in the context of well-being,
it included a series of questions about participants’ health and
health-related experiences. Demographic information included
ethnicity, education, deployment status, income, and number of
household members. There were 37 queries about participants
general well-being, health, alcohol and drug use, and attitudes
about sexual assault and gender socialization.
Section II contains victimization questions divided into 3 age
ranges (13 and younger, 14 through 17, 18 and older), the rela-
tionship of the victim to the perpetrator, and if participants had
been sexually assaulted within the last year.
Section III asked follow-up questions to participants who report-
ed sexual assault victimization about the incident including:
What was the victim-perpetrator relationship?
What was the impact of victimization on mental and physical
health?
What was the extent and nature of injuries sustained?
To what extent did victims and survivors seek help after sex-
ual assault and utilize medical, mental health, and criminal
justice systems?
Section IV included additional demographic questions such as
participant’s marital status and sexual orientation, and the sur-
vey wrap-up.
Alcohol and Drug Use
The researchers used two approaches to capture information
about alcohol and drug use. First, interviewers gave partici-
pants who reported that they were victims of sexual assault
the opportunity to talk in more detail about one of those ex-
periences. These follow-up questions included one that asked
whether they or the perpetrator(s) were using alcohol or drugs
at the time of the assault. Second, interviewers asked all partic-
ipants questions based on a modification of the CAGE instru-
ment (Mayfield, McLeod, & Hall, 1974) and CAGE-AID (Brown
& Rounds, 1995) to screen for alcohol and drug problems.
Building on the CAGE instrument, which focuses exclusively on
alcohol, Brown and Rounds (1995) measure assesses alcohol
and drug use. An example of a question in Brown and Rounds
(1995) is “Have you felt you ought to cut down on your drink-
ing or drug use?” The clinical rationale for combining alcohol
and drugs is that clients are often less willing to admit drug use
than alcohol use. For this study, however, rather than combin-
ing questions about drugs and alcohol for each type of experi-
ence, we asked the questions separately for alcohol and drugs.
For both the CAGE instrument and our adaptations that include
drug questions, one “yes” answer indicates a positive screen
and the need for further assessment and follow-up. However,
two “yes” answers are often used with the CAGE instrument as
a cut-o screening score.
You can obtain a complete copy of the modified survey instrument
from Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz at nbusch@austin.utexas.edu.
Sexual Assault Victimization Questions
Improvements in the science and measurement of sexual as-
sault crimes have advanced the previous Health Survey of Tex-
ans: A Focus on Sexual Assault (Busch, N.B., Bell, H., DiNitto,
D.M., & Ne, J, 2003), which queried five victimization ques-
tions. The current study (2015) includes the 5 victimization
questions from our 2003 study, added 10 additional victimiza-
tion questions, and builds upon the National Intimate Partner
and Sexual Violence Survey (Black et al., 2011). Victims often
do not define their experiences as sexual assault. Therefore,
this survey was designed to help identify if participants had
ever been sexually assaulted. For this reason participants were
asked 15 behavioral-based questions about unwanted sexual
experiences, that occurred during three age periods: before the
Methodology
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201520 © 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
age of 14, between the ages of 14 and 17, and at age 18 and over.
The victimization question were as follows:
Victimization questions in 2015
1. Made you have vaginal sex
2. Made you have anal sex
3. Made you have oral sex
4. Put their fingers or an object in your vagina or anus
5. Tried to have vaginal, oral or anal sex
6. Exposed their bodies parts to you, flashed you, or
masturbated in front of you
7. Made you show your sexual body parts to them
8. Made you look at or participate in sexual photos
or movies
9. Kissed you in a sexual way
10. Fondled, groped, grabbed, or touched you in a way
that make you feel unsafe
11. Pressured by doing things like telling you lies, making
promises about the future they knew were untrue,
threatening to end your relationship, or threatening to
spread rumors about you
12. Wearing you down by repeatedly asking for sex, or
showing they were unhappy
13. Using their influence or authority over you, for example,
your boss or your teacher
14. Happened when you were drunk, high, drugged, or
passed out and unable to consent
15. Unwanted sexual experiences under any other
circumstances
Victimization questions in 2003
1. Made you have vaginal sex
2. Made you have anal sex
3. Made you have oral sex
4. Put their fingers or an object in your vagina or anus
5. Tried to have vaginal, oral or anal sex
Length of Interview
On average, an interview with a participant who had not
experienced sexual assault victimization took approximately 25
minutes. On average, an interview with a sexual assault victim
took 38 minutes.
Weighting
The research team weighted the row data based on the Texas
census and the design included eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age. The estimated margin of error for the sample in this
survey is ± 2.8% at the 95% confidence level. See Appendix B
for a full description of the weighting.
Data Analysis
To conduct data analysis, the research team tabulated using
age, gender, and ethnicity weights that reflect the census pop-
ulation distribution in the State of Texas. Research banners
include victimization status, gender, ethnicity, income and edu-
cation. Summary statistics included averages and percentages
as appropriate for the scale of the question response choices.
Standard inferential tests were also included in the tabula-
tion report, specifically z-tests for comparing proportions and
t-tests for comparing averages.
We established victimization by following rules that met the le-
gal definition of sexual assault and sexual oenses in the State
of Texas (More details are provided on Appendix D). We as-
sessed incidence by asking participants if any of the reported
sexual experiences that happened after they were adults oc-
curred within the last year.
Data Quality Assurance
The research team implemented several strategies and mecha-
nisms to monitor data collection and quality assurance. These
activities included the testing of links to make sure they re-
flected the content and the programming for both English and
Spanish versions of the survey, the survey instrument pilot,
the daily review of data collected and debriefing with CRI in-
terviewers and supervisors. During the pilot, the team tested
both survey content and methodology. These resulted in sev-
eral adjustments to the process and instrument programming.
During both the pilot and data collection, the team monitored
interviews in real time and provided ongoing feedback to CRI to
ensure quality assurance and compliance with protocols.
Additional activities during and after the piloting survey includ-
ed ongoing communication with CRI’s director and supervisors
and the monitoring of data collection. We held ongoing email
and phone calls with CRI on a weekly and sometimes bi-week-
ly basis to coordinate details of the field work and adjustments
to both survey content and programming. Internally, our team
met continuously over 6 months for formal meetings to make
adjustments to the instrument and move the project forward.
Methodology
21© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Call to Action and Recommendations
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Page was intentionally left blank
23© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
A
lthough progress has been made in efforts to prevent sexual assault, this crime
affects hundreds of thousands of residents in Texas. Our findings indicate
that sexual assault impacts the lives of both woman and men throughout their
lifetime. Sexual assault is much more prevalent among women and thus should be
considered a major health issue for Texas women. However, the suffering of men and
boys should not be minimized or ignored. Sexual assault has long lasting and poten-
tially negative consequences for all victims. Advances in science and measurement
have improved our ability to understand and describe sexual assault victimization
over the last decade. Given its prevalence and impact in Texas, benchmarking in more
frequent intervals is critical.
We Oer These Recommendations as a
Call to Action for Texas:
1. Health, mental health, and criminal justice organizations
should consider specific public health and criminal justice
strategies to reach women and girls.
2. The prevalence and rates and comparative analyses should
be repeated every five years and reported to the Department
of State Health Services.
3. Stable funding to organizations whose missions address
this crime and provide necessary victim/survivor services
is needed including: rape crisis centers, medical and other
healthcare providers, prevention and education programs,
law enforcement, prosecutors and other criminal justice ser-
vices as well as incarceration and intervention for oenders.
4. Develop innovative ways that will improve sexual assault vic-
tims’ confidence and comfort in reporting to formal systems,
including law enforcement.
5. Extend accessible, competent and trauma-informed services to
all victims of this crime.
Findings suggest that hundreds of thousands of Texans are vic-
tims of this violent crime. In the end, we must recognize sexu-
al assault crimes persist as a social problem in Texas and the
need to propel this issue to the public’s attention is pressing.
While prevention eorts are well underway, we need to continue
to do more to prevent victimization and perpetration. We hope
that this report serves as a catalyst and direction for future ef-
forts. Our actions should be strategic, swift, and revolutionary.
Call to Action and Recommendations
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Page was intentionally left blank
25© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Findings
The Cost and Prevalence of Sexual Assault in Texas
The Sexual Assault Prevalence in Texas
Comparing 2003 and 2015 Prevalence in Texas
Who are the Perpetrators?
Violence and Use of Weapons During Sexual Assault
Alcohol and Drug Use at the Time of Sexual Assault
Assessment on Health and Well-Being
Impact on Health and Well-Being
Impact: Disruption of Daily Life
Impact: Economic Hardship
Seeking Help After Sexual Assault
Who Participated in this Study
Lifetime Sexual Assault Prevalence by Victim Demographics
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Page was intentionally left blank
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 27
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
COST AND PREVALENCE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IN TEXAS
*
10%
OF SEXUAL
ASSAULTS
RESULT IN
PREGNANCY
**+
9.2%
OF VICTIMS
REPORTED
TO LAW
ENFORCEMENT
**
MILLION
$8 BILLION
$
42.8
MILLION
6.3
413,000
33.2%
$
340
ADULT TEXANS HAVE
EXPERIENCED SOME FORM
OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
IN THEIR LIFETIME
COSTS THE
STATE OF TEXAS
ADULT TEXANS HAVE
EXPERIENCED SOME FORM
OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
IN THE PAST YEAR
OF SEXUAL
ASSAULTS
NO WEAPON
WAS USED
**
ANNUAL EXPENDITURES
IN SERVICES FOR
VICTIMS
COSTS EACH TEXAN
of all texans
of
victims
report
multiple victimizations.
97% 70%
OF SEXUAL ASSAULTS
ARE COMMITTED
BY A PERPETRATOR
KNOWN OR RELATED
TO THE VICTIM
**
65.2%
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201528
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims because this project
is grounded in the criminal justice system. As researchers, our aim is to
honor every person’s choice in language to describe themselves and to
name their experiences.
METHODOLOGY
• Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%) and
mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a 95%
confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using closed
ended questions with a specific survey protocol
Specific information about sexual assault experiences
is based on only one particular incident that victims
chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Oce
of Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and
conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website
at: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and IDVSA.
FOOTNOTES
* Costs are based on Busch-Armendariz et al. 2011
**These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in
detail and not based on all the sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
+ These analyses are base upon a small sample size therefore caution is warranted.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 29
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVALENCE IN TEXAS
EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM
VICTIMIZATION BY GENDER AND AGE
22.5%
33.2%
43.8%
LIFETIME
9.7%
18%
26.1%
AGES 18 AND OLDER
23%
16.8%
10.6%
AGES 14—17
22.2%
16.3%
10.4%
AGES 13 AND UNDER
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
2 IN 5 WOMEN 1 IN 5 MEN
6.3 MILLION
Adult Texans have experienced some
form of sexual assault in their lifetime
413,000
Adult Texans experienced some form
of sexual assault in the past year
65.2%
of victims
report
multiple
victimizations
2.1 M
MALE VICTIMS
4.2 M
FEMALE VICTIMS
2.2%
ALL
TEXANS
2.3%
FEMALE
VICTIMS
2%
MALE
VICTIMS
LIFETIME REPORT OF SEXUAL
ASSAULT BY GENDER OF VICTIM
54.7%
9%
52.9%
93.7%
MALE VICTIMS
FEMALE VICTIMS
FEMALE PERPETRATORS
MALE PERPETRATORS
LIFETIME REPORT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY
RELATIONSHIP TO PERPETRATOR*
STRANGER ACQUAINTANCE OR FRIEND
PERSON OF AUTHORITY CLOSE RELATIONSHIP
*
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
34% 53.3%
23.3% 59.9%
52.2%
29.5%
4.8%
5.7%
THINK SEXUAL VIOLENCE IS
A PROBLEM IN TEXAS
**
KNOW OF A RAPE CRISIS CENTER
THAT SERVES THEIR COMMUNITY
+
HAVE BEEN OR ARE CURRENTLY
INVOLVED IN ONGOING EFFORTS
TO END SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN
THEIR COMMUNITY
**
45.1%
41.8%
48.5% 43.4%
48.5%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMS
FEMALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
15.6%
17.5%
19.4%
17.6%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
17.6%
FEMALE TEXANS
64% 67.6%
71.2%
59.2%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
65.2%
Percentages may sum to more than 100% because of multiple
victimizations by both male and female perpetrators.
Percentages may sum to more than 100% because of multiple
assaults experienced by both male and female victims.
n=399
n=1141
n=1164
n=399
n=1203
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims because this project
is grounded in the criminal justice system. As researchers, our aim is to
honor every person’s choice in language to describe themselves and to
name their experiences.
HIGHLIGHTS
FOOTNOTES
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201530
METHODOLOGY
• Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%) and
mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a 95%
confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using closed
ended questions with a specific survey protocol
Specific information about sexual assault experiences
is based on only one particular incident that victims
chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Oce
of Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and
conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website
at: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and IDVSA.
UNDERSTANDING THE PERPETRATORS OF WOMEN
Women are primarily sexually assaulted by men.
93.7% of women report that their perpetrators were male and a significant
minority of women (9%) report being victimized by a female oender.
Women are most vulnerable to sexual assault from someone they
know and often trust.
53.3% of women report that an acquaintance or friend was the oender.
52.2% of women report that someone in a close relationship to them
was their oender, including spouses, dating partners, family mem-
bers, and relatives.
About a third of women, 34% report that the oender was a stranger.
UNDERSTANDING THE PERPETRATORS OF MEN
Men have an almost equal chance of being assaulted by either
a woman or a man.
52.9% of men who have been assaulted report that their perpetrators
were female.
54.7% of men report that their perpetrators were male.
Men are more likely than women to be victimized by an
acquaintance or friend (59.9%).
Men are less likely than women to be assaulted by someone they have
a close relationship with (29.5%).
VICTIMIZATION BY GENDER AND AGE
Sexual assault aects both men and women. Women are twice as likely
to be sexually assaulted as men in their lifetimes, 43.8% compared to
22.5% respectively.
Women experience sexual assault at higher rates than men for every
age group surveyed.
The highest prevalence rate of sexual assault for women occurs in the
18 and older age group; in contrast, men report higher sexual assault
prevalence for ages 17 and under.
*RELATIONSHIP DEFINITIONS: Stranger is defined as a person the victim never met or met in the 24 hours
prior to the sexual assault. Acquaintance or friend is defined as friend, roommate, neighbor, parent of friend,
family friend, co-worker, ex-coworker, co-volunteer, ex-co-volunteer, employee, ex-employee, classmate,
or ex-classmate. Person of authority is defined as boss, supervisor, teacher, professor, instructor, coach,
doctor, nurse, other health professional, faith leader, or landlord.
**Participants responded to questions based on a 10 point scale where 10 means “very much true” and 1
means “not at all true.” Analyses are based on reporting into one collapsed category where responses 8, 9
and 10 were summed.
+ On this question participant choices were "yes," "no," and, "don’t know." Percentages are calculated on "yes" responses.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 31
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
COMPARING 2003 AND 2015 PREVALENCE IN TEXAS
VICTIMIZATION SCREENING QUESTIONS
OVERALL LIFETIME
VICTIMIZATION RATE
LIFETIME VICTIMIZATION RATE
FOR WOMEN
LIFETIME VICTIMIZATION RATE
FOR MEN
33.2%
8.6%
20%
18.3%
5%
27.6%
13%
22.5%
43.8%
2015
5 Q
2015
5 Q
2015
5 Q
2015
15 Q
2015
15 Q
2015
15 Q
2003
5 Q
2003
5 Q
2003
5 Q
2003 SURVEY
5 questions that met 2003 Texas
Penal Code
Questions applied to all ages
2015 SURVEY
5
questions from 2003 survey that met Texas Penal Code for 2003 and 2014
10 additional questions that met 2014 Texas Penal Code
New questions applied to certain age groups
WHY ARE 2015 RATES SO MUCH HIGHER?
The increase of sexual assault victimization across all categories is likely a result of the expansion of the Texas
Penal Code on sexual assault, better scientific methods for measuring sexual assault, an increase in knowledge
and public awareness of sexual victimization, the willingness of Texans to identify their victimization, and an
underestimation of the 2003 sexual assault data. There may also be other explanations for the increase.
Although direct comparisons should not be made, these data indicate that sexual assault should be a crime of
great concern in the State of Texas, given its prevalence and impact upon Texans.
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201532
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims because this project
is grounded in the criminal justice system. As researchers, our aim is to
honor every person’s choice in language to describe themselves and to
name their experiences.
METHODOLOGY
• Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%) and
mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a 95%
confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using closed
ended questions with a specific survey protocol
Specific information about sexual assault experiences
is based on only one particular incident that victims
chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Oce
of Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and
conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website
at: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and IDVSA.
COMPARING 2003 AND 2015 PREVALENCE IN TEXAS
Determining sexual assault prevalence rates is complex. This study
shows an increase in lifetime sexual assault prevalence over the
past decade for all victim categories.
In 2003, five questions that met the 2003 state Penal Code for sexual
assault crimes were used to estimate the prevalence of sexual assault
in Texas.
In 2015, 15 questions that met the 2014 state Penal Code for sexual assault
crimes were used to estimate the prevalence of sexual assault in Texas.
Given that ten new questions were added in 2015, only partial compari-
sons can be made about the prevalence rates in these two time periods.
Comparisons should be made using the five similar questions asked
both years.
Victims often do not define their experiences as sexual assault. There-
fore, this survey was designed to help identify if participants had ever
been sexually assaulted. For this reason participants were asked 15
behavioral-based questions about unwanted sexual experiences, that
occurred during three age periods: before the age of 14, between the
ages of 14 and 17, and at age 18 and over. The victimization question
were as follows:
Victimization questions in 2003
1. Made you have vaginal sex
2. Made you have anal sex
3. Made you have oral sex
4. Put their fingers or an object in your
vagina or anus
5. Tried to have vaginal, oral or anal sex
Results indicate an increase in
lifetime sexual assault victimization
among adult Texans from 13% in the
2003 to 18.3% in 2015.
Women reported the greatest
increase of sexual assault lifetime
victimization, from 20% in 2003 to
27.6% in 2015.
Victimization questions in 2015
1. Made you have vaginal sex
2. Made you have anal sex
3. Made you have oral sex
4. Put their fingers or an object in your
vagina or anus
5. Tried to have vaginal, oral or anal sex
6. Exposed their bodies parts to you,
flashed you, or masturbated in front
of you
7. Made you show your sexual body parts
to them
8. Made you look at or participate in sexual
photos or movies
9. Kissed you in a sexual way
10. Fondled, groped, grabbed, or touched
you in a way that make you feel unsafe
11. Pressured by doing things like telling
you lies, making promises about the fu-
ture they knew were untrue, threatening
to end your relationship, or threatening
to spread rumors about you
12. Wearing you down by repeatedly asking
for sex, or showing they were unhappy
13. Using their influence or authority over
you, for example, your boss or your
teacher
14. Happened when you were drunk, high,
drugged, or passed out and unable to
consent
15. Unwanted sexual experiences under
any other circumstances
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 33
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
WHO ARE THE PERPETRATORS?
REPORT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY AGE OF VICTIM AND GENDER OF PERPETRATOR
REPORT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT BY RELATIONSHIP TO PERPETRATOR AND AGE OF VICTIM*
VICTIMS AGE 13 AND UNDER
VICTIMS AGE 18 AND OLDER
VICTIMS AGE 14 TO 17
VICTIMS LIFETIME
The percentages for female and male victims sum to more than 100% because victims may have been assaulted multiple times and their perpetrators may include both males and females.
VICTIMS AGE 18 AND OLDER
FEMALE PERPETRATORS
MALE PERPETRATORS
17.4% 76.1%
VICTIMS AGE 14 TO 17
FEMALE PERPETRATORS
MALE PERPETRATORS
18.2% 75.6%
VICTIMS AGE 13 AND UNDER
FEMALE PERPETRATORS
MALE PERPETRATORS
20.3% 80.9%
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
ACQUAINTANCE
OR FRIEND
ACQUAINTANCE
OR FRIEND
ACQUAINTANCE
OR FRIEND
ACQUAINTANCE
OR FRIEND
48%
54.1%
57.9%
59.9%
34.6%
41.9%
56.8%
53.3%
STRANGER
STRANGER
STRANGER
STRANGER
17.5%
35.3%
22%
34%
14.6%
33.7%
21.5%
30.4%
38.8%
45.2%
57.1%
55.5%
49.7%
33.7%
29%
44.6%
8.1%
6.5%
4.3%
9.9%
1.5%
5.7%
29.5%
20.6%
23.3%
PERSON OF
AUTHORITY
PERSON OF
AUTHORITY
PERSON OF
AUTHORITY
PERSON OF
AUTHORITY
CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP
CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP
CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP
CLOSE
RELATIONSHIP
53.2%
38.2%
37.6%
52.2%
42%
21.2%
29.5%
0.4%
4.7%
3.5%
4.8%
2.3%
4.5%
3%
5.1%
HIGHLIGHTS
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201534
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims because this project
is grounded in the criminal justice system. As researchers, our aim is to
honor every person’s choice in language to describe themselves and to
name their experiences.
METHODOLOGY
• Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%) and
mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a 95%
confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using closed
ended questions with a specific survey protocol
Specific information about sexual assault experiences
is based on only one particular incident that victims
chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Oce
of Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and
conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website
at: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and IDVSA.
GENDER OF PERPETRATORS:
Male perpetrators commit the majority of sexual assaults, over 75%
across all victim age categories. Victims age 14 to 17 (75.6%) report
the lowest number of sexual assaults committed by male perpetrators.
Victims age 13 and under report the highest percentage of sexual
assaults by both genders, with 80.9% by male perpetrators and 20.3%
by female perpetrators.
RELATIONSHIP TO PERPETRATOR:
Female perpetrators commission of sexual assault increases as the vic-
tims’ age decreases, with the lowest report by victims’ age 18 and older
(17.4%).
The majority of lifetime sexual assaults are most likely to be committed
by an acquaintance or friend of the victim (55.5%).
Women and men ages 18 and older (45.2%) and ages 14 to 17 (57.1%)
were more likely to be victimized by someone they knew as an acquain-
tance or friend.
For young women and men age 13 and under (49.7%) the most likely
perpetrator of sexual assault was someone with whom they had a close
relationship, this includes family members and relatives.
Although a person of authority was less likely to perpetrate a sexual
assault across all age categories, they posed the greatest risk (4.5%) to
young women and men ages 14 to 17.
Women and men ages 18 and older were as likely to be victimized by a
stranger (33.7%) as they were by someone they had a close relationship
with (33.7%).
*RELATIONSHIP DEFINITIONS:
Stranger is defined as a person the victim never met or met in the 24
hours prior to the sexual assault.
Acquaintance or friend is defined as friend, roommate, neighbor, parent
of friend, family friend, co-worker, ex-coworker, co-volunteer, ex-co-
volunteer, employee, ex-employee, classmate, or ex-classmate.
Person of authority is defined as boss, supervisor, teacher, professor,
instructor, coach, doctor, nurse, other health professional, faith leader,
or landlord.
Close relationships is defined as spouses, ex-spouse, dating partner,
ex-dating partner, other family members or relatives.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 35
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
VIOLENCE & USE OF WEAPONS DURING SEXUAL ASSAULT
n=383
n=384
COLLATERAL VIOLENCE
USE OF A WEAPON DURING ASSAULT
VICTIM REPORTED THAT THE OFFENDER
THREATENED TO HARM OR TO KILL THEM OR
SOMEONE CLOSE TO THEM
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
VICTIM BELIEVED SHE/HE OR SOMEONE
CLOSE TO HER/HIM WOULD BE SERIOUSLY
HARMED OR KILLED
VICTIM WAS PHYSICALLY INJURED
97%
NO WEAPON
0.4%* – UNSURE 0.4%* – UNSURE
0.5% – YES,
OTHER WEAPON
1.2% – YES, KNIFE
1% – YES, GUN
99.6%
NO WEAPON
97%
NO WEAPON
0.4%* – UNSURE
0.3% – YES,
OTHER WEAPON
0.8% – YES, KNIFE
0.7% – YES, GUN
12.3%
15.9%
5.2%
15.9%
21.2%
5.3%
14.8%
10.4%
1.9%
These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in detail and not based on all the
sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
* For an explanation of “unsure” see back under Highlights.
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201536
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
VIOLENCE AND USE OF WEAPONS
DURING SEXUAL ASSAULT
Weapons were not used during the occurrence of most sexu-
al assaults in Texas, with almost 98% of all victims reporting
no weapon use.
As a result of age, incapacitation or a trauma response
victims (0.4%) may not be able to recall or may be unsure of
whether a weapon was present.
Women are three times more likely than men to be threat-
ened with harm to themselves or someone close to them.
Women have seven times the risk of being physically injured
in comparison to men during their sexual assault experience.
When a weapon is used on a woman it is primarily a knife
(1.2%) or a gun (1.0%).
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 37
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
ALCOHOL & DRUG USE AT THE TIME OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
VICTIM USING
PERPETRATOR USING
14.8%
13.7%
15.4%
10.9%
10.2 %
10.4%
2.8%
1.8%
2.1%
1.8%
2.2%
2.1% 6.2%
2.5%
8.1%
2.9%
1.2%
3.7%
alcohol onlydrugs onlyboth alcohol & drugs
n=382; Female Victims n=255; Male Victims n=127 n=383; Female Victims n=255; Male Victims n=128
These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in detail and not based on all the sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
49.8%
of victims indicated that
the perpetrator was not
using alcohol or drugs
26.2%
of victims did not know
if the perpetrator was
using alcohol or drugs
13.7% of victims reported they were
incapacitated by a substance or asleep at the
time of the sexual assault.
14.8% of victims reported that the
perpetrator was using alcohol during
the sexual assault.
83.9%
of victims were
not using alcohol
or drugs
1% declined to answer
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201538
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
ALCOHOL & DRUG USE AT THE
TIME OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
Alcohol was not a major contributing factor in the sexual assaults
reported by this study for either the perpetrator or victim.
Victims reported that their perpetrators were using alcohol
(14.8%) or a combination of alcohol and drug use (6.2%).
Alcohol use (10.4%) and alcohol combined with drug use
(2.1%) was lower for victims.
Drug use “only” by perpetrator (2.9%) and victim (2.1%) is less
common.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 39
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
ASSESSMENT ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
+
+ Percentage may not equal 100% because of rounding.
GENERAL HEALTH AMONG TEXANS
*
HEALTH PROBLEMS AMONG TEXANS
*
n=1203
EXCELLENT
ASTHMA
CHRONIC PAIN
GOOD
IRRITABLE BOWEL
SYNDROME
DIFFICULTY SLEEPING
FAIR
FREQUENT
HEADACHES
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
n=1201
FEMALE TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMS
ALL NON-VICTIMS
ALL NON-VICTIMS
ALL NON-VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
ALL TEXANS
ALL TEXANS
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
5.8%
15.3%
13.3%
14.3%
20%
FEMALE TEXANS
18.8% 24.2%
21.4%
19.5%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
20.6%
4.2% 11%
15.8%
12.5%
9.9%
9% 21%
28.4%
20.9%
20.3%
8.5% 19.7%
23%
17.3%
15%
3% 9%
16.9%
13.2%
11.7%
FEMALE TEXANS
34.3% 34.5%
33.5%
33.1%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
34.4%
FEMALE TEXANS
46.9% 41.3%
45%
45.4%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
45.1%
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
FOOTNOTES
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201540
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
ASSESSMENT ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
It appears that sexual victimization negatively impacts the
health and wellbeing of victims.
In Texas, victims report more health issues compared to
non-victims from poorer health (5%) and twice as many
incidences of irritable bowel syndrome (9%), frequent
headaches (21%), chronic pain (20.3%) and higher rates of
asthma (20.9%) and sleeping diculties (28.4%).
*Participants responded to questions based on a 5 point scale where 1
means “excellent,” 2 “very good” 3 “good” 4 means “fair” 5 means “poor.
Analyses are based on reporting into three collapsed categories (excellent/
very good, good, fair/poor).
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 41
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
IMPACT ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
*
* Percentage may not equal 100% because of rounding.
68.4% 47. 2%
59.2%
63.3%
26.5%41.3%
32.5%
30.5%
USUALLY SOMETIMES NEVER
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
FEMALE TEXANS
5.2% 11.4%
8.3%
6.2%
MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
61.4%
FEMALE TEXANS MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
31.4%
FEMALE TEXANS MALE TEXANS
ALL NON-VICTIMSALL VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
7.2%
LIMITATIONS OF ACTIVITIES BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL,
MENTAL OR EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AMONG TEXANS
**
n=1195
16.4%12.3%
10.4%
7.4%8.5%
0.7%0.2%
0.5%
0.3%0.7%
9.3%4.8%
7.1%
6%9.5%
25.2%19%
17.6%
13.8%16.2%
18.6%
14.5%
10.2%
6.1%
5.9%
2.3%
0.9%
1.5%
1.1%
2.2%
DRUGS TAKEN IN THE PAST MONTH
SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT
RESULTED IN PREGNANCY
+
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
TRANQUILIZERS, SLEEPING
PILLS OR OTHER SEDATIVES
PRESCRIPTION
PAINKILLERS
UPPERS, SPEED
OR AMPHETAMINES
CRACK, HEROIN OR
ANGEL DUST
MARIJUANA
ANTI-
DEPRESSANTS
n=1203
10.1%
YES
89.9%
NO
89.9%
NO
10.1%
YES
n=26
* Percentage may not equal 100% because of rounding.
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
FOOTNOTES
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201542
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
IMPACT ON HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
It appears that sexual victimization negatively impacts the
health and wellbeing of victims.
Limitations of activities due to physical and psychological
problems are more likely for victims (11.4%) than
non-victims (5.2%).
Legal and illicit drug use is reported more frequently for
victims including the use of sedatives/sleeping pills (16.4%),
anti-depressants (18.6%) and prescription painkillers (25.2%)
compared to non-victims (7.4%, 6.1% and 13.8% respectively).
A significant minority of sexual assault victims report that their
victimization resulted in pregnancy.
** Participants responded to questions based on a 5 point scale where 1 means
“always,” 2 “usually,” 3 “sometimes,” 4 “rarely,” and 5 “never.” Analyses are
based on reporting into three collapsed categories (always/usually, sometimes/
rarely, never).
+ These analyses are base upon a small sample size therefore caution is warranted.
‡ These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in
detail and not based on all the sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 43
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
IMPACT: DISRUPTION OF DAILY LIFE
EXPERIENCED PSYCHOLOGICAL OR EMOTIONAL DISTRESS
HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM HOUSEHOLD RESPONSIBILITIES
BY GENDER
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
BY GENDER
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
BY GENDER
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
2%
VICTIM UNSURE
51.9%
YES
NO
46.1%
HAD TO TAKE TIME OFF FROM SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
UNSURE:
1.1% Female Victims; 3.8% Male Victims
UNSURE:
1.0% Female Victims; .4% Male Victims
YES
NO
63.9%
35%
28.1%
68.1%
YES
NO
7.7%
18.6%
80.4%
91.9%
UNSURE:
0.7% Female Victims
YES
NO
2.8%
12.3%
87.1%
97.2%
n=383
n=383
n=384
These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in detail and not based on all the
sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
ALL VICTIMS
ALL
VICTIMS
14.9%
YES
ALL VICTIMS
9.1%
YES
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201544
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
IMPACT: DISRUPTION OF DAILY LIFE
Psychological Impact:
Over half, 51.9%, of all sexual assault victims report psychologi-
cal or emotional distress.
Women are more than twice as likely as men to experience
psychological or emotional distress because of their sexual
assault experience (63.9% to 28.1% respectively).
Social/Household Impact:
Women (18.6%) report higher rates of taking time o from social
and recreational activities compared to men (7.7%) as a result of
the sexual assault.
Women report taking more time o from household responsibili-
ties (12.3%) than men (2.8%).
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 45
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
IMPACT: ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
STRESSED ABOUT ABILITY TO PAY THE MORTGAGE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR
STRESSED ABOUT HAVING ENOUGH NUTRITIONAL MEALS WITHIN THE PAST YEAR
NEEDED TO SEE A DOCTOR BUT COULDN'T AFFORD TO WITHIN THE PAST YEAR
Always
39%
Sometimes
Never
44.6%
39%
16.4%
ALWAYS
SOMETIMES
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
ALL TEXANS
FEMALE TEXANS
MALE TEXANS
ALL VICTIMS
NON-VICTIMS
NEVER
14.7%18.1%
37.4%40.7%
47.9%41.3%
14.7%19.7%
37.1%42.7%
48.1%37.6%
Always
Sometimes
Never
58.9%
32.4%
8.7%
n=1201
n=1195
n=1193
ALWAYS
SOMETIMES
NEVER
7.7%9.8%
29%35.6%
63.4%54.5%
7.2%11.7%
30.5%36.4%
62.3%
51.9%
ALWAYS
SOMETIMES
NEVER
6.4%9.4%
17.7%26.7%
75.9%63.9%
6.1%11.4%
18.8%29.7%
75.2%58.8%
Participants responded to questions based on a 5 point scale where 1 means “always,” 2
“usually,” 3 “sometimes,” 4 “rarely,” and 5 “never.” Analyses are based on reporting into
three collapsed categories (always/usually, sometimes/rarely, never).
Participants responded to questions based on a 5 point scale where 1 means “always,” 2
“usually,” 3 “sometimes,” 4 “rarely,” and 5 “never.” Analyses are based on reporting into
three collapsed categories (always/usually, sometimes/rarely, never).
Participants responded to questions based on a 5 point scale where 1 means “always,” 2
“usually,” 3 “sometimes,” 4 “rarely,” and 5 “never.” Analyses are based on reporting into
three collapsed categories (always/usually, sometimes/rarely, never).
Always
Sometimes
Never
69.7%
22.4%
7.9%
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201546
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
IMPACT: ECONOMIC HARDSHIP
It appears that economic hardship aects women and victims
more than men and non-victims.
Economic hardship was greater for victims of sexual assault
compared to non-victims, and woman were more likely than
men to report these findings.
Always being stressed over mortgage payments during the past
year was more likely for victims (19.7%) and women (18.1%)
compared to non-victims (14.7%) and men (14.7%).
Always being stressed about having enough nutritional meals
was more likely for victims (11.7%) and women (9.8%) and less
likely for non-victims (7.2%) and men (7.7%).
Never being unable to aord to see a physician was more
common for men (75.9%) and non-victims (75.2%) in
comparison to women (63.9%) and victims (58.8%).
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 47
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
SEEKING HELP AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT
+
ASSAULT REPORTING PATTERNS
OTHER REASONS GIVEN
Wanted to forget about it and move on with their lives.
Did not think they would be believed.
Were prevented from reporting it.
Thought that reporting it might jeopardize
their employment.
Blamed themselves.
Worried about jeopardizing their immigration status.
WHEN WAS IT REPORTED TO POLICE?
*
WERE CRIMINAL CHARGES EVER FILED?
*
FRIEND
FAMILY MEMBER
INTIMATE PARTNER
SOCIAL WORKER/
HELPING PROFESSIONAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT
MEDICAL CARE
SEXUAL ASSAULT
NURSE EXAMINER
CRISIS HOTLINE
45.3%
3.5%
1.6%
80.5%
62.2%
WOMEN
MEN
TOTAL
58%
24
HOURS
12
3
9
6
28.4% 35%
WITHIN FOUR DAYS
AFTER FOUR DAYS
3%
3.7%
36.7%
38.9%
24.4%
19.5%
55.2%
25.3%
40.7%
35.1%
24.2%
YES
NO
UNSURE
6.4%
TOP REASONS VICTIMS DID NOT
REPORT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT
Did not define their experience as a crime.
Were too young to report their victimization
to law enforcement.
Were too scared to report.
Chose to deal with the sexual assault themselves
or ask friends or family for help.
Felt “stupid,” ashamed, or embarrassed about
what had happened to them.
31.5%
16.9%
15.5%
9.2%
7%
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
n=384
n=35 n=35
FOOTNOTES
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201548
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
SEEKING HELP AFTER SEXUAL ASSAULT
Women and men victimized by sexual assault turn to friends
(45.3%) and family members (31.5%) for help, and are least
likely to contact a crisis hotline (1.6%).
Intimate partners (16.9%) were seen as a support at a slightly
greater rate than social workers and/or helping professionals
(15.5%),
Victims sought help from the criminal justice and healthcare
systems at a lower rate than personal supports. Law enforcement
was only contacted by 9.2% of the victims and at a slightly high-
er rate than medical care providers (6.4%) and sexual assault
nurse examiners (3.5%).
REPORTING AND FILING CHARGES:
If victims chose to report the sexual assault to police, 62.2%
reported within 24-hours, 3.7% within four days and, 28.4%
after four days.
Female victims (58%) were less likely than male victims
(80.5%) to report to police within 24 hours of the assault.
Female victims reported that charges were filed more often
(40.7%) than not (35.1%), whereas, male victims reported more
often that charges were not filed (55.2% to 19.5%).
Nearly a quarter (24.4%) of all victims that reported to police
were unsure whether criminal charges were ever filed.
+
These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose to describe in
detail and not based on all the sexual assaults reported by victims in this survey.
* These analyses are base upon a small sample size therefore caution is warranted.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 49
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
WHO PARTICIPATED IN THIS STUDY
GENDER
SEXUAL ORIENTATION
*
RACE/ETHNICITY
*
49.3%
MALE TEXANS
50.6%
FEMALE TEXANS
93%
1.6%
0.3%
5.1%
HETEROSEXUAL
GAY OR LESBIAN
IDENTIFIED
AS OTHER
DECLINED
50.9%
36.1%
12.1%
3.9%
WHITE
NON-HISPANIC
HISPANIC
AFRICAN
AMERICAN
ALL OTHER RACES/
ETHNICITIES
EDUCATION
HOUSEHOLD INCOME
$
19.5%
HIGH SCHOOL
GRADUATE
13% 21.1%
32.5% 19.2%
DID NOT
GRADUATE
HIGH SCHOOL
UNDER
$25,000
SOME COLLEGE
OR VOCATIONAL
SCHOOL
$50,000 –
$74,999
23.6% 26.2%
11.4% 33.4%
4-YEAR
COLLEGE
DEGREE
$25,000
$49,999
POST-GRADUATE
DEGREE
$75,000
OR MORE
PARTICIPANTS (OR THEIR PARTNERS)
HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED TO A COMBAT
ZONE OR HOSTILE REGION
9.2%
**
61.1%
+
32.5%
+
PARTICIPANT
WAS DEPLOYED
PARTNER DEPLOYED
6.4%
+
BOTH DEPLOYED
n=1199
n=1188
n=1200
n=1199
n=1196
n=1105
** n=1199
+
n=108
*Percentages may total to more than 100% because participants could select more than one category.*Percentages may total to more than 100% because participants could select more than one category.
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201550
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims because this project
is grounded in the criminal justice system. As researchers, our aim is to
honor every person’s choice in language to describe themselves and to
name their experiences.
METHODOLOGY
• Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%) and
mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a 95%
confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using closed
ended questions with a specific survey protocol
Specific information about sexual assault experiences
is based on only one particular incident that victims
chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State Health Services, Oce
of Title V & Family Health (Contract No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and
conclusions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not
necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website
at: https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institutes/idvsa
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and IDVSA.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 51
Permission to reproduce any portion of this report is granted on the condition that the authors are fully credited. When using this data please use the following citation:
Busch-Armendariz, N.B., Olaya-Rodriguez, D., Kammer-Kerwick, M., Wachter, K. & Sulley C. (2015). Health and well-being: Texas statewide sexual assault prevalence. Austin, TX:
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault, The University of Texas at Austin.
LIFETIME SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVALENCE BY VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS
RACE/ETHNICITY
INCOME
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
FEMALE VICTIMS
MALE VICTIMS
ALL VICTIMS
EDUCATION
LESS THAN $25K
34.7%
45.8%
19.4%
$25K — $49K
34.9%
24.9%
46.1%
$50K— 74K
31.5%
22.8%
39.6%
$75K AND UP
33.8%
46%
24%
HS OR LESS
25.4%
36.1%
17.1%
SOME COLLEGE
38.4%
49.4%
25.3%
COLLEGE DEGREE
35%
24.3%
44.2%
GRAD DEGREE
36.9%
44.4%
29.3%
HISPANIC
21.2%
34.6%
27.9%
OTHER
50%
34.6%
40.7%
AFRICAN
AMERICAN
23.6%
48.5%
36.8%
WHITE
NON-HISPANIC
35.2%
48.3%
21.7%
n=399
n=398
n=374
*Percentages may total to more than 100% because participants could select more than one category.
*Percentages may total to more than 100% because participants could select more than one category.
*Percentages may total to more than 100% because participants could select more than one category.
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
HIGHLIGHTS
For more information about the Institute, please visit our website at:
https://socialwork.utexas.edu/cswr/institute s/idvsa
RESEARCH TEAM
Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
School of Social Work, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Noël Busch-Armendariz
Principal Investigator
Deidi Olaya-Rodriguez
Research Project Director
Dr. Matt Kammer-Kerwick
Research Scientist
Karin Wachter
Research Team
Caitlin Sulley
Research Team
METHODOLOGY
Representative sample of 1,203 adult Texans
Sample drawn randomly from landline (60%)
and mobile phones (40%)
Sampling error is ± 2.8 percentage points at a
95% confidence level
Weights include design eects for gender, ethnicity,
and age
Telephone interviewers collected data using
closed ended questions with a specific survey
protocol
Specific information about sexual assault expe-
riences is based on only one particular incident
that victims chose to talk about
This project was funded by the Texas Department of State
Health Services, Oce of Title V & Family Health (Contract
No.2014-045645). The opinions, findings, and conclusions
expressed in this publication are those of the authors and
do not necessarily reflect those of the Texas Department of
State Health Services.
Sexual assault survivors are referred to as victims
because this project is grounded in the criminal justice
system. As researchers, our aim is to honor every
person’s choice in language to describe themselves
and to name their experiences.
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201552
Working group members included: DSHS, TAASA, OAG, and
IDVSA.
LIFETIME SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVALENCE BY
VICTIM DEMOGRAPHICS
Sexual assault aects all racial and ethnic groups. African
Americans report the highest incidents (36.8%) followed
closely by Whites, non-Hispanic (35.2%) and Hispanics (27.9%),
indicating all racial/ethnic groups are at risk for sexual assault.
The highest rate of sexual assault for women was reported
by those with some college (49.4%) followed by women with
graduate degrees (44.4%).
Participants with a high school education or less reported the
lowest rates of sexual assault (25.4%).
All income groups are at risk for sexual assault with almost
equal percentages reported for all income categories.
53© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Additional Findings
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Length of Physical and Psychological Limitations
Special Needs and Mobility Equipment Due to Health Problems
Alcohol and Drug Addiction
DETAILS OF ASSAULT VICTIMS CHOSE TO TALK ABOUT
Perpetrator Victims Chose to Talk About
Types of Assault Victims Chose to Talk About
Location of Sexual Assault
Victims that Contracted Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
VICTIMS WHO WERE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER
Partner Relationship Status at the Time of Victimization
HELPFULNESS OF VICTIM SUPPORT
Helpfulness of Counseling Services
Helpfulness of a Friend
Helpfulness of a Family Member
Helpfulness of a Partner
Helpfulness of Law Enforcement
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Page was intentionally left blank
55© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
This section includes analyses for the entire sample (n=1203).
Health and Well-Being
Length of Physical and Psychological Limitations
Total Women Men
Total
Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Total
Non-Victims
Female
Non-Victims
Male
Non-Victims
Total
450 239 211 204 141 64 246 98 147
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Less Than A Year
121 54 67 41 27 14 80 27 53
26.9% 22.5% 31.9% 20.1% 19.4% 21.7% 32.6% 27.0% 36.3%
More Than A Year But Less
Than 3 Years
105 70 35 51 39 13 54 32 22
23.3% 29.4% 16.5% 25.2% 27.4% 20.3% 21.8% 32.2% 14.8%
3 or More years
224 115 109 112 75 37 112 40 72
49.7% 48.1% 51.6% 54.7% 53.2% 58.0% 45.6% 40.8% 48.8%
Declined to Answer 753 369 381 195 125 69 558 243 311
n=450
Special Needs and Mobility Equipment Due to Health Problems
Total Women Men
Total
Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Total
Non-Victims
Female
Non-Victims
Male
Non-Victims
Total
1201 607 590 399 266 133 802 341 457
100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Yes
82 41 41 38 22 16 44 19 25
6.8% 6.8% 6.9% 9.4% 8.1% 11.9% 5.5% 5.7% 5.5%
No
1119 566 549 362 244 117 758 322 432
93.2% 93.2% 93.1% 90.6% 91.9% 88.1% 94.5% 94.3% 94.5%
Declined to Answer 2 1 1 - - - - - -
n=1201
Alcohol and Drug Addiction
Total Women Men
Total
Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Total
Non-Victims
Female
Non-Victims
Male
Non-Victims
Alcohol 2+ 8.86% 7.05% 10.48% 12.01% 10.11% 15.63% 7.25% 4.31% 9.04%
Drugs 2+ 5.63% 4.03% 7.06% 7.07 % 5.32% 10.42% 4.89% 2.39% 6.12%
ALCOHOL 2+ n=835
DRUGS 2+ n=403
Note: The table above shows the percentage of respondents who use alcohol/drugs and scored 2 or more points on the CAGE questions
Additional Findings
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201556
Details of Sexual Assault Experiences that Victims Chose to Talk About
The methodology of this study included a section of follow up
questions that applied only to participants who had reported
experiencing some form of sexual assault. This section con-
tained detailed questions about the assault. If participants
had experienced more than one incident of sexual assault, the
interviewer asked them to choose an experience they wanted
to share additional information about. This represents a slight
tweak on the methodology used in 2003 when participants
were asked about their most recent sexual assault. This time,
the researchers wanted to give the participants a choice when
deciding which assault they talked about. The information be-
low is based on those follow up questions, which included the
perpetrators' relationship to victims, types of sexual assault,
locations, reporting the incident reporting the incident, sought
help, and experienced collateral violence and/or services re-
ceived. The information presented may also include partici-
pants that reported one victimization. The information present-
ed below contains responses from both participants who only
had one experience, meaning that they didn’t have to choose,
and participants who had multiples experiences. Based on this
information, participants responded to additional follow-up
questions including if they reported the incident, sought help,
and experienced collateral violence and/or services received.
Perpetrator Victims Chose to Talk About
All Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Family Member/Relative 53.3% 57.1% 45.8%
Dating Relationship/Spouse 15.3% 15.0% 15.9%
Acquaintance or Friend 31.4% 28.0% 38.4%
Stranger/Unknown 18.6% 19.7% 16.5%
Preferred Not to Disclose 5.9% 5.5% 6.6%
Type of Assault Victims Chose to Talk About
All Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Exposed, Flashed,
Or Masturbated
24.3% 24.9% 23.1%
Make You Show
Sexual Body Parts
4.7% 4.8% 4.6%
Sexual Photos Or Movies 3.8% 3.1% 5.4%
Verbally Harassed 5.8% 6.8% 3.8%
Kissed In Sexual Way 13.1% 8.2% 23.1%
Fondled, Groped,
Grabbed, Or Touched
16.7% 17. 2% 15.6%
Vaginal 8.1% 11.2% 1.9%
Anal 1.5% 0.5% 3.5%
Oral 2.5% 2.6% 2.3%
Fingers Or Object 3.4% 4.2% 1.6%
Penetration Did Not Occur 4.3% 4.1% 4.7%
Pressured 4.6% 5.0% 3.9%
Repeated Asking 2.4% 1.9% 3.3%
Influence Or Authority 0.9% 1.4%
Drunk, High, Drugged 2.0% 1.8% 2.6%
Other Circumstance 1.8% 2.4% 0.6%
n=399
Location of Victimization
All Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Victim's home or yard 20.7% 21.6% 19.0%
Perpetrator's home or yard 22.2% 23.0% 20.5%
Victim's/Perpetrator's home or
yard
4.1% 5.9% 0.7%
Someone else's home or yard 7.9% 8.0% 7.8%
Street, alley 4.6% 6.2% 1.3%
Parking lot 1.6% 2.4%
Car 4.6% 3.6% 6.7%
Your workplace 5.6% 4.4% 8.1%
His/her workplace 1.9% 1.8% 2.1%
Restaurant, store 1.5% 1.8% 0.9%
Bar, dance club, pool hall 4.2% 2.5% 7.7%
Rural areas, woods, park, camp-
ground
3.2% 3.2% 3.2%
Other public building, hospital 1.8% 0.7% 4.1%
School, college, campus 7.3% 7.9% 6.1%
Lake, dock, beach, lagoon, pool 1.5% 1.1% 2.4%
Motel, hotel 1.2% 1.3% 1.1%
Other 6.0% 4.9% 8.3%
n=380
Victims that Contracted Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
All Victims
Female
Victims
Male
Victims
Yes 2.1% 3% 0.5%
No 96.9% 96.7% 97.5%
Unsure 0.9% 0.4% 2%
n=383
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault 57© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Victims Who Were Sexually Assaulted
by an Intimate Partner
Note: These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose
to provide more details about and not based on all the sexual assaults
reported by victims in this survey.
Partner Relationship Status at the Time of Victimization
Total Female Male
Total
46 46 46
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Were Still Involved
27 23 3
58.6% 60.0% 50.2%
After Relationship Ended
5 5 -
12.0% 14.1% -
Both
12 9 3
26.6% 22.5% 49.8%
Declined to Answer
1 1 -
2.8% 3.3% -
n=46
Helpfulness Of Victim Support
Note: These analyses are based on one victimization that victims chose
to provide more details about and not based on all the sexual assaults
reported by victims in this survey.
Helpfulness of Counseling Services
Total Female Male
Total
60 49 11
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Very Helpful
31 24 7
52.0% 48.9% 66.5%
Somewhat Helpful
17 16 1
28.3% 31.8% 12.2%
A Little Bit Helpful
4 4 -
6.1% 7. 5% -
Not Helpful at All
8 6 2
13.6% 11.9% 21.4%
n=60
Helpfulness of a Friend
Total Female Male
Total
174 125 49
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Very Helpful
82 69 13
47. 1% 55.0% 26.5%
Somewhat Helpful
43 28 15
24.5% 22.4% 30.0%
A Little Bit Helpful
19 13 6
11.2% 10.6% 12.6%
Not Helpful at All
28 14 14
15.9% 11.3% 27.8%
Unsure
2 1 1
1.3% 0.7% 3.0%
n=174
Helpfulness of a Family Member
Total Female Male
Total
121 91 30
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Very Helpful
73 53 20
60.1% 57.6% 67. 8%
Somewhat Helpful
19 18 1
15.7% 19.4% 4.4%
A Little Bit Helpful
11 8 2
8.8% 9.0% 7.9%
Not Helpful at All
19 13 6
15.4% 14.0% 19.9%
n=121
Helpfulness of a Partner
Total Female Male
Total
65 44 21
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Very Helpful
31 23 9
48.0% 51.6% 40.5%
Somewhat Helpful
13 10 3
20.5% 23.9% 13.6%
A Little Bit Helpful
9 4 6
14.4% 8.5% 26.4%
Not Helpful at All
10 6 4
15.4% 13.4% 19.6%
Unsure
1 1 -
1.8% 2.6% 0.0%
n=65
Helpfulness of Law Enforcement
Total Female Male
Total
35 29 7
100.0% 100.0% 100.0%
Very Helpful
17 14 3
48.8% 48.1% 51.9%
Somewhat Helpful
7 6 1
19.2% 21.3% 10.3%
A Little Bit Helpful
3 2 1
7.9% 6.8% 12.8%
Not Helpful at All
5 4 1
12.9% 13.0% 12.5%
Unsure
4 3 1
11.2% 10.9% 12.5%
n=35
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59© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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61© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Appendices
APPENDIX A
Description of the Sample
Gender
Race/Ethnicity
Education
Income
APPENDIX B
Sampling Strategy and Weighting Procedures
Census Distribution as Counts
Census Distribution as Percentages
Survey Counts
Survey Percentages
Weight as Proportions
Weights to Gross the Sample Counts Up to Population Values
APPENDIX C
Training Outlines
First Training
Second Training
APPENDIX D
Assessment of Questions According to Age of Participant at the Time of Victimization
© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
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63© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Appendices
APPENDIX A
Description of the Sample
Gender
Total Female Male
Total 1199 608 591
Male
591 - 591
49.3% 100.0%
Female
607 607 -
50.6% 99.9%
Transgender Female
1 1 -
0.0% 0.1%
Transgender Male - - -
Genderqueer/Gender-noncon-
forming
- - -
Race/Ethnicity
Total Female Male
Total 1196 607 587
White, non-Hispanic
610 310 297
50.9% 51.1% 50.7%
Hispanic or Latino/Latina
432 218 214
36.1% 35.9% 36.5%
African American
144 75 69
12.1% 12.4% 11.8%
Asian
13 8 6
1.1% 1.2% 1.0%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific
Islander
1 - 1
0.1% 0.2%
American Indian or Alaskan
Native
14 7 7
1.1% 1.1% 1.1%
All Other Racial/Ethnic Groups
20 8 11
1.6% 1.3% 1.9%
Declined 7 1 5
Education
Total Female Male
Total 1200 606 590
No schooling
8 5 3
0.7% 0.8% 0.5%
1st - 8th grade
72 33 39
6.0% 5.5% 6.6%
Some high school
75 28 47
6.3% 4.6% 8.0%
High school graduate or equiv-
alent
234 106 126
19.5% 17. 5% 21.4%
Technical or vocational school
(attended or graduated)
79 47 32
6.6% 7.7% 5.5%
Some college
311 166 144
25.9% 27.3% 24.4%
4-year college degree
283 153 130
23.6% 25.2% 22.1%
Postgraduate
137 69 68
11.4% 11.4% 11.5%
Declined 3 2 1
Income
Total Female Male
Total 1105 546 558
Under $25,000
233 136 96
21.1% 24.9% 17. 3%
$25,000 to $49,999
290 137 153
26.2% 25.0% 27.5%
$50,000 to $74,999
212 109 103
19.2% 20.0% 18.5%
$75,000 to $99,999
139 55 84
12.6% 10.0% 15.0%
$100,000 to $124,999
82 39 43
7.4% 7. 2% 7.6%
$125,000 to $149,999
63 29 34
5.7% 5.4% 6.0%
$150,000 to $174,999
18 11 8
1.6% 1.9% 1.3%
$175,000 to $199,999
17 10 7
1.5% 1.9% 1.2%
$200,000 and over
51 20 31
4.6% 3.6% 5.5%
Declined 98 61 33
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201564 © 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
APPENDIX B
Sampling Strategy and Weighting Procedures
The survey data were weighted to match on the Texas census,
including eects for gender, ethnicity, and age. The first four
tables in this appendix show the Census data for adult Texans
and the survey sample distribution (in terms of counts and
percentages), both cut by gender, ethnicity, and age. Weights
were calculated as the ratio of these distributions and used
to project the survey results to the adult Texan population as
both percentages and population counts. The weights used are
shown in the final two tables.
Census Distribution as Counts
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18-24 485494 513219 569558 620680 169673 175228 77249 73301
25-35 794163 804164 829995 888579 246476 230610 124181 133496
36-45 733616 743805 694003 692731 219337 199166 113726 124141
46-55 894503 885978 535583 537297 220490 200895 89435 96189
56-65 828672 792759 352234 325227 159303 136539 62105 71839
65+ 967148 776358 316798 238483 132244 87756 44546 53879
Source census http://txsdc.utsa.edu/Data/TPEPP/Estimates/Index.aspx
Census Distribution as Percentages
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18-24 2.55% 2.69% 2.99% 3.26% 0.89% 0.92% 0.41% 0.38%
25-35 4.17% 4.22% 4.35% 4.66% 1.29% 1.21% 0.65% 0.70%
36-45 3.85% 3.90% 3.64% 3.63% 1.15% 1.04% 0.60% 0.65%
46-55 4.69% 4.65% 2.81% 2.82% 1.16% 1.05% 0.47% 0.50%
56-65 4.35% 4.16% 1.85% 1.71% 0.84% 0.72% 0.33% 0.38%
65+ 5.07% 4.07% 1.66% 1.25% 0.69% 0.46% 0.23% 0.28%
Total 24.67% 23.69% 17. 3 0% 17.33% 6.02% 5.40% 2.68% 2.90%
Survey Counts
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18 - 24 29 47 31 31 6 10 11 13
25 - 35 51 46 56 41 10 9 15 18
36 - 45 35 56 46 30 15 4 9 12
46 - 55 66 65 26 28 8 11 5 12
56 - 65 64 41 24 14 9 9 5 6
66 or older 74 57 12 7 8 4 8 5
Total 319 312 195 151 56 47 53 66
Appendices
65© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
Appendices
Survey Percentages
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18-24 2.42% 3.92% 2.59% 2.59% 0.50% 0.83% 0.92% 1.08%
25-35 4.25% 3.84% 4.67% 3.42% 0.83% 0.75% 1.25% 1.50%
36-45 2.92% 4.67% 3.84% 2.50% 1.25% 0.33% 0.75% 1.00%
46-55 5.50% 5.42% 2.17% 2.34% 0.67% 0.92% 0.42% 1.00%
56-65 5.34% 3.42% 2.00% 1.17% 0.75% 0.75% 0.42% 0.50%
65+ 6.17% 4.75% 1.00% 0.58% 0.67% 0.33% 0.67% 0.42%
26.61% 26.02% 16.26% 12.59% 4.67% 3.92% 4.42% 5.50%
Weights as Proportions
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18-24 1.05 0.69 1.16 1.26 1.78 1.10 0.44 0.35
25-35 0.98 1.10 0.93 1.36 1.55 1.61 0.52 0.47
36-45 1.32 0.84 0.95 1.45 0.92 3.13 0.79 0.65
46-55 0.85 0.86 1.30 1.21 1.73 1.15 1.13 0.50
56-65 0.81 1.22 0.92 1.46 1.11 0.95 0.78 0.75
65+ 0.82 0.86 1.66 2.14 1.04 1.38 0.35 0.68
0.93 0.91 1.06 1.38 1.29 1.38 0.61 0.53
Weights to Gross the Sample Counts Up to Population Values
White, non-Hispanic Hispanic African American
All Other
Racial/Ethnic Groups
Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male
18-24 16741 10920 18373 20022 28279 17523 7023 5639
25-35 15572 17482 14821 21673 24648 25623 8279 7416
36-45 20960 13282 15087 23091 14622 49792 12636 10345
46-55 13553 13630 20599 19189 27561 18263 17887 8016
56-65 12948 19336 14676 23231 17700 15171 12421 11973
65+ 13070 13620 26400 34069 16531 21939 5568 10776
HEALTH AND WELL-BEING: Texas Statewide Sexual Assault Prevalence Study | Final Report, August 201566 © 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
APPENDIX C
Trainings Outlines
First Training
1. Overview to the study
2. Overview of sexual assault
Overview of sexual assault in Texas (myths and realities)
Why most survivors dont report
Post-traumatic responses to sexual assault
How to listen for distress over the phone, what it might
sound like
Secondary trauma and counter-transference (especially if
surveyor is a survivor)
How interviewers can take care of themselves & connect-
ing with Hayes-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC)
3. Survey instrument run-through
4. Protocol Practice
How to oer a referral to the National Sexual Assault Ho-
tline in a way that is sensitive and does not imply that the
research participant’s reactions are inappropriate (HCWC)
Review the protocol for recognizing signs of distress, pro-
viding the hotline number, oering to connect them to the
national hotline (IDVSA)
Role-play (recognizing signs of distress and administering
the protocol) (HCWC)
Second training
New Interviewers:
1. Overview to the study
2. Overview of sexual assault
Overview of sexual assault in Texas (myths and realities)
Why most survivors dont report
Post-traumatic responses to sexual assault
How to listen for distress over the phone, what it might
sound like
Secondary trauma and counter-transference (especially if
surveyor is a survivor)
How interviewers can take care of themselves & connect-
ing with Hayes-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC)
3. Protocol Practice (IDVSA & HCWC)
How to oer a referral to the National Sexual Assault Ho-
tline in a way that is sensitive and does not imply that the
research participant’s reactions are inappropriate (HCWC)
Review the protocol for recognizing signs of distress, pro-
viding the hotline number, oering to connect them to the
national hotline (IDVSA)
4. Follow-up training (Both new and interviewers already
trained) (IDVSA & HCWC)
Check-in with previously trained interviewers about
experiences with distressed participants questions and
concerns.
Appendices
67© 2015 The University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work Institute on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
APPENDIX D
Assessment of Questions According to Age of Participant at the Time of Victimization
Question
Age of participant at time of unwanted
sexual experience
Made you have vaginal sex All ages
Made you have anal sex All ages
Made you have oral sex All ages
Put their fingers or an object in your vagina or anus All ages
Tried to have vaginal, oral or anal sex All ages
Exposed their bodies parts to you, flashed you, or masturbated in front of you All ages
Made you show your sexual body parts to them All ages
Made you look at or participate in sexual photos or movies 13 and under, and/or between 14 and 17
Kissed you in a sexual way 13 and under and/or between 14 and 17
Fondled, groped, grabbed, or touched you in a way that made you feel unsafe 13 and under or between 14 and 17
Pressured by doing things like telling you lies, making promises about the future
they knew were untrue, threatening to end your relationship, or threatening to
spread rumors about you
13 and under
Wearing you down by repeatedly asking for sex, or showing they were unhappy 13 and under
Using their influence or authority over you, for example, your boss or your teacher 13 and under and/or between 14 and 17
Happened when you were drunk, high, drugged, or passed out and unable
to consent
All ages
Any other circumstance
Depending of type of behavior and age
of participant at the time of incident
Appendices
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