Women with a history of sexual abuse have particular patterns of drug involvement and sexual risk behavior. This study is an analysis of women interviewed in 1996-97 for the Drug Use Forecasting Program (DUF), N=836. DUF interviews arrested women booked for felony and misdemeanor crimes, obtaining data on demographics, arrest charge and self-reported drug use. A DUF-Manhattan supplement obtained information about sexual abuse and sexual risk behavior. Urine specimens are collected from DUF participants and tested for 10 drugs and for pregnancy. Twenty-five percent (25%) of women in the sample reported sexual abuse. Of those women: 49% reported childhood sexual abuse (CSA, abuse experienced while 17 years old and younger), 18% reported CSA and adult sexual abuse (ASA), and 33% reported ASA only (abuse experienced while 18 years and older). Women in this sample were heavily drug involved with over 80% testing positive for at least one illicit drug. Eight measures of drug involvement and four measures of sexual risk behavior were used or developed. This study demonstrated that sexual abuse predicted more drug involvement and sexual risk behavior among arrested women. Results are important for drug treatment programs, which are beginning to consider abuse history an important factor in healing and recovery. Likewise, foster care, public health agencies, educational institutions, and other child-service agencies will find results useful in constructing prevention and intervention efforts relating to drug using women, their children and families.
Learning Objectives: Learning Objectives: 1. Describe patterns of drug use and sexual risk behavior among a representative sample of under-served arrested women. 2. Recognize HIV/AIDS risks behaviors among women who are drug involved. 3. Understand the role of sexual abuse among drug involved women. 4. Distinguish different patterns of drug and sexual risk behavior among women who report sexual abuse and those who do not report sexual abuse. 5. Discuss a variety of constructive options for prevention and intervention efforts effective among drug involved women with a history of sexual abuse. Teaching Objectives: Outcomes which describe faculty/teacher activities: 1. During this session, faculty will discuss drug involvement of arrested women. 2. During this session, faculty will construct a framework for understanding drug and sexual risk behavior among under-served women 3. During this session, faculty will discuss and make suggestions for improved measures and interventions for drug involved women with a history of sexual abuse.
Keywords: Sexual Assault, HIV Risk Behavior
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.