UC Merced Undergraduate Research Journal

Research surrounding sexual assault is abundant, but a majority of the research focuses on European American women, leaving out the unique experiences of many other ethnic groups. This literature review examines some of the research that has been done on sexual assault that focuses on of African American women, who experience sexual violence in different ways. Looking at four (4) aspects of sexual assault (types of harassment; leaving relationships; health effects; coping) this review examines the differences that arise within these relationships when African American women are involved. The examination of research suggests that there may be a need for better methods of reporting for these women, along with the completion of sexual assault studies within other ethnic groups, since there is such a vast difference between European and African American women.