Comparative data of childhood and adolescence molestation in heterosexual and homosexual persons

In research with 942 nonclinical adult participants, gay men and lesbian wo men reported a significantly higher rate of childhood molestation than did heterosexual men and women. Forty-six percent of the homosexual men in cont rast to 7% of the heterosexual men reported homosexual molestation. Twenty- two percent Of lesbian women in contrast to 1% of heterosexual women report ed homosexual molestation. This research is apparently, the first sun,ey th at has reported substantial homosexual molestation of girls. Suggestions fo r future research were offered.