Comparative data of childhood and adolescence molestation in heterosexual and homosexual persons

Arch Sex Behav. 2001 Oct;30(5):535-41. doi: 10.1023/a:1010243318426.

Abstract

In research with 942 nonclinical adult participants, gay men and lesbian women reported a significantly higher rate of childhood molestation than did heterosexual men and women. Forty-six percent of the homosexual men in contrast to 7% of the heterosexual men reported homosexual molestation. Twenty-two percent of lesbian women in contrast to 1% of heterosexual women reported homosexual molestation. This research is apparently the first survey that has reported substantial homosexual molestation of girls. Suggestions for future research were offered.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • California / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child Abuse, Sexual / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Heterosexuality / psychology
  • Heterosexuality / statistics & numerical data*
  • Homosexuality, Female / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Female / statistics & numerical data*
  • Homosexuality, Male / psychology
  • Homosexuality, Male / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Self-Assessment
  • Surveys and Questionnaires