Risk Factors for Non-consensual Sex Victimization by an Intimate Partner in Women and Men: a Systematic Literature Review

Abstract

Research on Intimate partner violence (IPV) has primarily focused on studying psychological aggression and physical violence, and to a lesser extend sexual aggression/violence. Furthermore, IPV has been studied within a variety of samples; hence, methodological characteristics were thought to vary within studies. The present literature review aim was twofold, first it aimed at identifying risk factors of non-consensual sex (NCS) victimization by an intimate partner, and it also endeavored to investigate methodological characteristics of studies that have addressed risk factors of NCS victimization by an intimate partner. A systematic search identified a total of 38 published studies meeting inclusion criteria. Results indicate an array of risk factors of NCS victimization by an intimate partner. In regard to female victimization, most risk factors stem from the ontogenetic and microsystems, while exosystem and macrosystem risk factors were less frequently identified. Only six studies (15.8%) addressed male victimization. Methodological aspects of empirical studies that can be improved include consistency in the definition and measurement tools of NCS to better understand the nature and magnitude of the phenomenon.