Battering Victimization Among a Probability-Based Sample of Men Who Have Sex With Men

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study measured the prevalence of battering victimization (i.e., experience of psychological/symbolic, physical, and sexual battering) among men who have sex with men (MSM) and identified characteristics of these men. METHODS: A probability-based sample of 2881 MSM living in 4 cities completed telephone interviews between 1996 and 1998. RESULTS: Prevalence estimates were 34% for psychological/symbolic battering, 22% for physical battering, and 5% for sexual battering. The strongest demographic correlate independently associated with all forms of battering was age 40 or younger, whereas education and HIV serostatus were associated with physical and psychological/symbolic violence. CONCLUSIONS: Rates of battering victimization among urban MSM are substantially higher than among heterosexual men and possibly heterosexual women. Public health efforts directed toward addressing intimate partner battering among these men are needed.