Childhood Sexual Abuse among Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White College Women

Abstract

This study is thefirst to describe childhood sexual abuse (CSA) experiences of Hispanic and non-Hispanic White college women. There were no significant ethnic differences in the prevalence of CSA reported by Hispanics (2 7.1%) and non-Hispanic Whites (33.1%). Although the Hispanic women reported CSA that was more serious on almost every dimension (e.g., beginning at a younger age, more physically intrusive), no significant ethnic differences were found on severity nor on numerous other aspects of the CSA. A significantly greater proportion of Hispanic women reported that the perpetrators of their CSA were extended family members, as opposed to nuclear or extrafamilial perpetrators, than did non-Hispanic White women. Non-Hispanic Whites were more likely than Hispanics to indicate that nothing happened as a result of disclosing their CSA.