Sexual Violence Among the New Jersey Population: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence, Perpetration, and Health Outcomes Using 2017 New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Data: Implications for Social Work and Social Policy

Background: Sexual violence (SV), defined as rape, sexual harm, and/or any type of nonconsensual/unwanted sexual act, is common in the United States. SV is linked to numerous health risk behaviors and many negative health consequences. This can result in a significant social burden with exorbitant costs to communities and individuals. Yet, SV data is limited at the state level, stifling prevention and response efforts among social workers and social policymakers. This paper contributes to the literature by 1) providing prevalence and perpetration estimates for SV at the state level in New Jersey, and 2) explores demographic and health factors associated with experiences of SV. Social workers and policymakers can use this analysis to make data-informed programmatic decisions at the individual, relational, community, and societal levels, and address sociodemographic and health disparities among survivors, within a state context.

Methods: In 2017, 4,565 individuals responded to questions regarding their experiences with SV as part of the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS), which works within the national survey, as a component of the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). NJBRFS is an ongoing telephone survey designed to collect health-related data from noninstitutionalized adults. Bivariate statistical analyses were conducted using cross-tabulations and chi-squares to examine the associations of SV outcomes with health and demographic characteristics and factors. Odds ratios were calculated using logistic regression methods. Weighting procedures were used to account for the complex sampling design of the NJBRFS.

Results: Results indicate that 8.5% of NJ adults have encountered some kind of SV in their life, with 2.3% in the past 12 months. Perpetrator characteristics indicate that approximately 87% of SV acts are committed by someone already familiar to the survivor (e.g., spouse, family member, acquaintance); 96% of SV incidents are perpetrated by a member of the opposite sex. NJ women were two times more likely to experience SV than men within the previous 12 months, and Black residents had 1.5 greater odds of experiencing SV in the past 12 months compared to white NJ residents. Moreover, 25% of respondents who experienced SV in the past 12 months also experienced mental health challenges in the past 30 days, compared to 8% of those who did not encounter a SV incident in the past 12 months. Also, 27% of residents reporting SV were more likely to report engaging in HIV risk behaviors, and/or having received treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections, compared to 5% who did not experience sexual violence in the past 12 months.

Implications: This study shows that SV affects the lives of NJ residents differently, depending on gender and race, which may have important impacts on residents’ health. Social workers must work to both prevent these incidences and respond when they occur. Ongoing efforts of social workers and policymakers at the state level should encourage community-based, culturally & gender specific prevention and resources, as well as multisectoral collaborative responses for survivors in order to tackle inequalities, advocate for social justice, and ensure the needs of survivors are met.