Intersections of Childhood Victimization Experiences, Gender, and Dominance: The Makings for Sexual Coercion Transnationally?

• Published date: 01 June 2021
• Author: Aimée X. Delaney
• Date: 01 June 2021
• DOI: 10.1177/1057567720982655
• Subject Matter: Articles

Article

Intersections of Childhood

Victimization Experiences,

Gender, and Dominance: The

Makings for Sexual Coercion

Transnationally?

Aim´

ee X. Delaney

1

Abstract

Although the use of sexual violence has been widely researched, data on sexual offending tend to be

limited. Since adverse childhood experiences have been found to be correlated with being a victim of

sexually coercive behavior, more research is needed to understand the impact of adverse childhood

experiences on the perpetration of sexually coercive behaviors. Yet, there is little published

research explaining such risk factors for sexually coercive behaviors and even less transnationally.

This study seeks to expand the current literature by exploring the impact of violence and

dominance-based beliefs on sexually coercive behaviors. Using data from the International Dating

Violence Survey, the results from multilevel modeling regression analysis indicate that beliefs in

relational dominance moderate the relationship between violent childhood experiences and sexually

coercive behaviors. More importantly, despite theoretical premises that men engage in more

sexually coercive behaviors, the results found that sexually coercive behaviors are more prevalent

among those who hold dominance-based belief systems over intimate partners regardless of gender.

Implications of these findings are discussed.

Keywords

sexual coercion, dominance, violence, gender, international

Elements of a nation’s culture influence the perpetration of sexually coercive behavior (DeGue

et al., 2010). One of these elements involves the socialization of youth. When childhood experiences

involve violence, both direct and vicarious experiences, these experiences may permeate socializa-

tion processes and invoke the normative transmission of violence. This transmission may be par-

ticularly salient when youth are faced with conflict and the resolution of that conflict involves direct

1

Department of Criminal Justice, Worcester State University, MA, USA

Corresponding Author:

Aim´

ee X. Delaney, Department of Criminal Justice, Worcester State University, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA

01602, USA.

Email: adelaney@worcester.edu

International CriminalJustice Review

2021, Vol. 31(2) 106-121

ª2020 Georgia State University

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sagepub.com/journals-permissions

DOI: 10.1177/1057567720982655

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experiences with violence, witnessing others use violence, and being advised to engage in violence

to resolve conflict. Because socialization transmits cultural values of society, culture may then be

reflected in behavioral choices (Gorman-Smith & Tolan, 1998). This includes the use of sexually

coercive behaviors toward an intimate partner who resists sexual relations.

With research indicating a high prevalence of sexually coercive behaviors within intimate rela-

tionships (Forbes & Adams-Curtis, 2001; O’Leary et al., 2007; Parkhill Purdie et al., 2010; Poppen

& Segal, 1988; Williams et al., 2008), more information is necessary to understand the risk factors

for sexual perpetration within intimate relationships (e.g., see Casey, Beadnell, & Lindhorst, 2009;

Koss, Gidycz, & Wisniewski, 1987; Milletich et al., 2010; Zurbriggen et al., 2010). But most

research on the perpetration of sexually coercive behaviors focuses on the United States (e.g., Forbes

& Adams-Curtis, 2001; Poppen & Segal, 1988). We have yet to understand whether there might be

culturally based issues, such as patterns of similar childhood violent experiences across nations, that

shape sexually coercive behaviors within an intimate relationship. Therefore, more is needed to

understand the contributing factors to sexually coercive behaviors from an international perspective.

If childhood is inundated with experiences of violence, youth become inculcated with a norma-

tive sense that conflict resolution between intimate partners is achieved through violent means. Such

violent conflict resolution between intimate partners may instill belief in dominance over others in

order to achieve specific goals. When one intimate partner desires sexual relations despite the wishes

of the other partner, the intimate partner may take a dominant position in order to engage in sexual

activity. This dominance may manifest as sexually coercive behaviors, a range of behaviors used to

achieve sexual goals over unwilling intimate partner, from assertive, aggressive nonphysical coer-

cion to physical force.

But belief systems alone may be erratic predictors of sexually coercive behaviors (White & Koss,

1993). The influence of violent childhood experiences and the belief systems of the perpetrator

become important factors in predicting the use of sexually coercive behavior. Yet there appears to be

no published studies exploring childhood violent experiences, exasperated by dominance-based

belief systems, manifesting as sexually coercive behaviors. By examining individual- and

national-level influences on the perpetration of sexually coercive behaviors, this study seeks to

understand the extent to which sexual coercion manifests culturally within and between nations.

Since the intersection of belief systems and experiences tends to shape behavior toward others and

may be particularly salient in the use of sexually coercive behaviors (Berkowitz et al., 1994), the

combination of violent experiences and beliefs supporting relational dominance could favor a need

for power within intimate relationships. Such an entitlement may be manifested within sexually

coercive behaviors.

This study will address these theoretical propositions by seeking to know (1) to what degree do

violent childhood experiences impact the use of sexually coercive behaviors on an intimate partner

across different nations and (2) is variation in this relationship based on belief in relational dom-

inance. The study further explores the impact of these experiences and beliefs as they relate to

gender specific responses to sexual conflict within an intimate relationship to determine whether

there are gender differences in the perpetration of sexually coercive behaviors on an intimate partner

across different nations? Answers to these questions will provide a more comprehensive under-

standing of the risk factors for sexually coercive behaviors transnationally.

Sexual Coercion

Sexually coercive behaviors can be defined as actions made in deliberate attempt to engage in

sexual behavior despite resistance by an intimate partner. Sexually coercive behaviors may include

violence such as threats and forced intercourse. But not all actions associated with sexually coercive

behaviors occur as a result of force. Sexually coercive behavior is mostly subtle behaviors to induce

Delaney 107