DOES SEXUAL COERCION PLAY A ROLE IN THE HIGH-RISK SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR OF ADOLESCENT AND YOUNG-ADULT WOMEN

Sexual coercion and ifs relationship to high-risk sexual behavior were examined in five samples of young women. Sample 1 (N = 22) consisted of sexually active adolescents aged 15 to 19. Samples 2 (N = 206) and 3 (N = 70) were recruited from among patients at three sexually transm itted disease clinics. Sample 4 (N = 51) consisted of young homeless w omen living on the street in a large city. Sample 5 (N = 51) was recru ited from among young women on a college campus. Across all samples, 4 4.4% of women indicated that they had been forced into some form of se xual activity against their will Self-reports of sexually coercive exp eriences were consistently related to risky sexual behavior It appears that many young women are coerced into engaging in high-risk sexual b ehavior. This implies the need for greater attention to male coercive sexual behavior and women's skills for coping with such behavior.