Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Assault on Secondary Victims

Abstract

Much information has been collected on the effects of crime upon victims. Experts have spoken as well about the ripple effects of crime on those close to victims. To date, however, little empirical data are available to assess the impact of crime upon “secondary victims.” Our research looks at the effects of crime on a sample of persons named by victims of sexual and nonsexual assault as their primary significant others (SOs). We found that distress experienced by SOs did not vary according to victim distress or according to whether the crime was a sexual or nonsexual assault. Female SOs, however, experienced greater fear of crime than male SOs. High levels of SO distress did not interfere with the ability of SOs to lend supportive actions, but were associated with higher levels of SO unsupportive behavior. Higher levels of unsupportive behavior were also more likely among SOs of sexual assault victims than among SOs of nonsexual assault victims. Clinical implications of the findings are discussed.