Scripting Sexual Violence? Links Between Women's Pornography Exposure in Childhood and Later Sexual Victimization

Exposure to Internet pornography (IP) in childhood and early adolescence is common, representing an important focus for researchers interested in the impact of sexually explicit media consumption on psychosocial development and well-being. Recent research has documented connections between early IP use and elevated risk for young women's sexual victimization in adulthood, but possible mechanisms of this association remain largely unexplored. Grounded in sexual script theory, the current study aimed to investigate the role of pornography sex scripting (i.e., self-reported repetition of sexual behavior depicted in IP) in the relationship between individuals' self-reported early exposure to IP and later sexual victimization. Using data from a cross-sectional survey of emerging adult women (N = 677), the current study (1) replicated previously identified associations between women's early IP exposure during childhood and sexual victimization in adulthood; and (2) found that women's self-reported engagement in pornography sex scripting partially mediated this association. Results and implications for further research and sexual violence prevention efforts are discussed within the context of the current study's strengths and limitations.