Substance Abuse Research Development Program for Underserved Populations
A Health Survey of Texans:
A Focus on Sexual Assault Experiences
Investigators: Noel Busch, Ph.D.; Diana DiNitto, Ph.D.; James Alan Neff, Ph.D., MPH; and Holly Bell, Ph.D.
Current Project Status and Findings: Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and prevalence of sexual assault in the State of Texas. In addition, this project sought to explore other risks that sexual assault victims face, including alcohol and drug addiction. National studies indicate that rape victims are at higher risk for alcohol and other drug use (National Victim Assistance Academy, 1999).
The 1200 adult Texans interviewed were males and females age 18 and older. The sample was randomly drawn and included representation from diverse ethnic/racial, socioeconomic, and educational groups. Residents from 155 of 254 Texas counties were included in the survey. Participants were asked detailed questions about their unwanted sexual experiences during three time periods: before the age of 14, between the ages of 14 and 17, and age 18 and over.
Highlights
Approximately 1.9 million adult Texans (12.6%) have been sexually assaulted at some time in their lifetime.
The proportion of sexual assault is much higher for females than males (20% versus 5%).
It appears that drug use is much higher among victims compared to non-victims in Table 2.(See below.) For example 18 percent of victims report using barbiturates, while only 8 percent of non-victims report using this class of drugs. The association with alcohol use is less pronounced. For the total sample, alcohol use is actually higher among non-victims. However, once the sample is restricted to females, we see that victims use more alcohol than non-victims.
In terms of the alcohol and drug problems, data on the CAGE (scored positive for 2+ scores) indicates little difference between victims and non-victims for alcohol, though larger differences for drug problems.
Funded by: The Office of the Texas Attorney General, Sexual Assault Prevention & Crisis Services and the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault. Total Funding: $160,000
Publications and Presentations: Busch, N., "The Prevalence of Sexual Assault in Texas: Statistics and Trends", Presentation at the Texas Association Against Sexual Assault conference. February 2003.
Addiction Research Institute
Center for Social Work Research
School of Social Work
University of Texas at Austin
1717 West 6th Street, Suite 335
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 232-0616
FAX: (512) 232-0617
copyright © The University of Texas