Predicting Coercive Sexual Behavior Across the Lifespan in a Random Sample of Canadian Men

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Abstract
In order to end or at least reduce the amount of sexual violence in our society, it is necessary to identify the factors that play a part in men's sexual aggression against women they know. One hundred and ninety-five men ranging in age from 19 to 82 were randomly sampled from enumeration records of a small Canadian city and completed questionnaires. Overall, 73 percent of men reported never having been sexually coercive. Logistic regression analysis, using a dichotomous coercion criterion, established that childhood abuse, adolescent promiscuity, and restrictive emotionality all increased the likelihood of sexual coercion. Early sexual socialization and aspects of the male role related to emotional expressivity appear to be important in the development of coercive behavior. As such, prevention programs must be aimed at earlier interventions in families, communities, and schools.