Childhood sexual abuse and revictimization among gay men: Implications for those who are HIV positive

Abstract

Men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be disproportionately represented among HIV-infected individuals. Trauma histories, including childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual abuse (ASA), especially in the form of intimate partner violence (IPV), are rarely examined among MSM despite being associated with increased mortality and morbidity. CSA has been associated with poor health outcomes including increased risk for HIV infection, poorer psychological health, and sexual revictimization. However, research examining the impact of sexual abuse specifically among HIV positive gay men is lacking. In this chapter, we: (a) review the CSA and ASA literature among MSM in general, while emphasizing research with HIV positive gay men; (b) explore the challenges associated with the lack of operationalized abuse definitions; (c) discuss sexual, mental, and physical health sequelae associated with trauma histories; and (d) discuss implications for sexual risk reduction among HIV positive gay men with histories of CSA, ASA, and IPV.