Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Childhood Sexual Abuse In Black Men Who Have Sex With Men: Results From Three Qualitative Studies, Sheldon D. Fields, David J. Malebranche, Sonja Feist-Price

David J Malebranche

This report describes the high prevalence and context of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) among Black men who have sex with men (MSM) across 3 independent qualitative studies. Semistructured one-on-one interviews were conducted with 87 Black MSM across 3 cities (Rochester, NY, n=28; Lexington, KY/Atlanta, GA, n=30; and Atlanta, GA, n =29). A combined CSA prevalence of 32% (28/87) was found among the 3 samples, despite variation in geographic location, mean age, and sexual identification. Common themes emerging across the 3 samples included prolonged and repeated abuse by a close male relative; blaming of same-sex desire on CSA; and descriptions of …