Polyvictimization Rates in a National Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Youth: An Examination of Forty-Two Forms of Victimization

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Polyvictimization is a pervasive experience, with 18% and 26% of a national probability sample of youth (aged 2-17) experiencing four or more unique forms of victimization within the last year and across their lifetimes, respectively. No research has identified polyvictimization rates for sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY), despite evidence of their substantially higher rates of bullying victimization and childhood abuse. Utilizing a national sample of SGMY (N =1179), this study examined 42 forms of victimization to (a) identify rates of physical assault (bias and non-bias), childhood abuse, sexual victimization, intimate partner violence, peer and sibling victimization, indirect victimization, property victimization, and bullying victimization, (b) identify lifetime and last year polyvictimization rates, and (c) identify demographic differences across polyvictimization rates.

METHODS: The study utilized an Internet-based, quota sample of SGMY. Eligibility criteria included sexual or gender minority identity, 14-19 y/o, middle or high school enrollment, U.S. residency, and English literacy. The study utilized a cross-sectional, quantitative design and recruited participants through Facebook advertisements and promotional materials at 12 SGMY organizations. Polyvictimization was assessed utilizing adapted versions of the abbreviated Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (AJVQ) and the Swearer Bullying Survey. Consistent with past research, a cutoff of ten or more forms of victimization was used to determine polyvictimization rates. Descriptive analyses identified rates of eight different categories of victimization and lifetime and last year polyvictimization. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify significant demographic differences.

RESULTS: The majority of participants experienced at least one victimization incident during their lifetime: non-bias physical assault (71.5%; n = 843), bias physical assault (46.7%; n = 551), childhood abuse (77.1%; n = 909), sexual victimization (81.8%; n = 964), intimate partner violence (19.0%; n = 224), peer and sibling victimization (87.3%; n = 1029), indirect victimization (77.8%; n = 917), property victimization (81.1%; n = 956), and bullying victimization (89.6%; n = 1056). A substantial number also experienced at least one incident in the last year: non-bias physical assault (54.7%; n = 645), bias physical assault (42.2%; n = 498), childhood abuse (66.8%; n = 781), sexual victimization (46.1%; n = 544), intimate partner violence (11.7%; n = 138), peer and sibling victimization (58.2%; n = 686), indirect victimization (51.1%; n = 602), property victimization (61.7%; n = 727), and bullying victimization (63.0%; n = 743). The lifetime and last year polyvictimization rates were 71.3% and 42.7%, respectively. Significant differences in polyvictimization were found by gender identity and race.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study is the first to provide polyvictimization estimates for SGMY. In comparison to national estimates, SGMY appear to be nearly three times more likely to be polyvictimized during their lifetime and more than two times more likely to be polyvictimized during the last year. The identification of gender identity and race differences allows for the identification of adolescents at the greatest risk for polyvictimization. Future research is needed to identify the modifiable risk and protective factors associated with polyvictimization, including psychological distress, trauma symptoms, and emotional dysregulation.