Invisible Wounds: How Childhood and Adulthood Sexual Trauma Shape the Lives of Asexual Youth

Background and Purpose:

Despite growing attention to sexual violence among sexual minorities, asexual individuals remain severely underrepresented in both empirical research and social policy. Asexual youth face unique psychosocial challenges, including heightened levels of social stigma, isolation, and mental health vulnerability. Preliminary evidence suggests that sexual violence is not only prevalent among this population but also severely underreported and misunderstood. This study aims to (1) investigate the prevalence of childhood and adulthood sexual violence among asexual youth; (2) compare their differential effects on health, well-being, and non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI); and (3) explore impaired social inclusion as a mediating mechanism linking sexual violence to negative psychological outcomes.

Methods:

Data were drawn from the 2021 Ace Community Survey (N = 6,163), targeting self-identified asexual individuals aged 18–30. Participants were recruited through a combination of snowball sampling and targeted outreach via online platforms frequented by the asexual community. The survey included validated measures on lifetime exposure to childhood and adulthood sexual violence, perceived impairment in social inclusion (online/offline), self-reported physical and mental health, and NSSI thoughts and behaviors. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed using Mplus 8.0, with model fit assessed via CFI, TLI, RMSEA, and SRMR. Bootstrapping (2,000 samples) was used to test indirect effects.

Results:

A substantial proportion of respondents reported experiencing sexual violence: 30% during childhood and 47.5% during adulthood. Childhood sexual violence was significantly associated with higher levels of impaired health and well-being (β = 0.176), increased NSSI (β = 0.284), and reduced social inclusion (β = 0.212). Adulthood sexual violence was also associated with impaired social inclusion (β = 0.118) and NSSI (β = 0.050), though with weaker magnitude. Impaired social inclusion emerged as a significant mediator in the pathways linking both childhood and adulthood sexual violence to adverse outcomes, mediating the effects on health (β = 0.128 and β = 0.071, respectively) and NSSI (β = 0.023 and β = 0.013). Subgroup analyses revealed that genderqueer and non-binary individuals, those unemployed, and non-aromantic asexual individuals were disproportionately affected.

Conclusions and Implications:

This study highlights the persistent and profound impacts of sexual violence on asexual youth, particularly when trauma occurs in childhood. It provides empirical validation for both the Minority Stress Theory and the Stress-Vulnerability Model by demonstrating how sexual violence, compounded by stigma and impaired social inclusion, severely compromises health and well-being. The findings call for inclusive, trauma-informed interventions that specifically address the intersecting identities and social realities of asexual youth. Mental health practitioners, educators, and policymakers must actively work to dismantle barriers to care and develop culturally competent services that validate asexual identities and experiences. Prioritizing social inclusion is critical in mitigating long-term harm and promoting healing and resilience.