Recent and Lifetime Prevalence of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence Among Women in Substance Use Treatment

The majority of women in substance use treatment report a lifetime trauma history, including sexual violence (SV) and intimate partner violence (IPV). However, little is known about more recent and various forms of SV and IPV victimization among this population. The present study sought to determine the prevalence and nature of recent and lifetime SV and IPV among women in a predominantly rural community seeking treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs).

A total of 90 women were recruited from residential and outpatient SUD treatment facilities. Participants completed behaviorally specific self-report measures that assessed lifetime SV, past three months SV and IPV victimization, and types of SV and IPV exposure.

Results indicated that 89% of women reported a history of lifetime SV, with a majority experiencing attempted or completed rape. In the past 3 months, 49% reported experiencing SV and 71% reported IPV victimization. While nearly all participants with an SV history reported lifetime exposure to all three tactics, the most prevalent SV tactic within the past three months was verbal coercion, followed by force and substance-involved incapacitation. The most prevalent form of IPV was psychological aggression, followed by physical assault.

These high rates of recent SV and IPV suggest a significant prevalence of acute trauma history and related symptoms among women entering SUD treatment. These findings emphasize the urgent need for trauma screening, trauma informed care, and integrated interventions in rural SUD treatment settings.

This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06608979) on September 20, 2024.