Childhood abuse and sexual revictimization in a female navy recruit sample

To examine effects of childhood abuse on adult rape, 1,887 female Navy recruits were surveyed. Overall 35% of recnrits had been raped and 57% had experienced childhood physical abuse (CPA) and/or childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Controlling for CPA, rape was significantly (4.8 times) more likely among women Mho had experienced CSA than among women who had not. III contrast, CPA (controlling for CSA) was unrelated to likelihood of adult rape. Alcohol problems and number of sex partners Mere examined as mediators. Although both variables predicted rape, their effects were independent of the effects of CSA. Finally despite ethnic group differences in the prevalence of victimization, the predictors of rape did not differ significantly across ethnic groups.