Sexual Assasult Among Latinas (SALAS) Project

Latina women are at risk for sexual and other forms of victimization that have substantial negative effects. This study offers a cultural analysis of their experiences and responses to victimization. The goals include (1) an examination of many forms of sexual victimization including childhood and adult victimization, (2) an analysis of the other forms of victimization sexually victimized women faced during childhood and adulthood, (3) a thorough analysis of the help-seeking efforts of Latina women that addresses both effectiveness of services and help-seeking barriers, (4) measurement of particular cultural factors that affect sexually victimized Latina women, and (5) an assessment of current psychosocial outcomes associated with victimization.

This study will address significant gaps in the literature on sexual assault of Latina women especially concerning polyvictimization, help-seeking efforts, and the influence of cultural factors on experience, impact, and responses to sexual victimization. The findings will also be pertinent to shaping practice and policy. Data will be collected via phone interviews with a targeted sample of approximately 2,000 Latina women living throughout the United States. Participants will be asked about lifetime victimization, help-seeking efforts, psychological distress, PTSD symptomatology, religiosity, acculturation, gender-role ideology, and demographic information. Ultimately, a better, more culturally- based, understanding of sexual victimization among Latina women will be gained. ca/ncf