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Victim of Sexual Coercion Scale

The Victim of Sexual Coercion Scale is a 13-item measure of the tendency to be a victim of sexual coercion. The scale asks university students about specific tactics such as guilt and blackmail that they have experienced in an attempt to coerce them into sexual activity. The same scale exists for perpetration of sexual coercion and can be found here.

Categories

Geographies Tested: United States of America

Populations Included: Female, Male

Age Range: Adolescents, Adults

Items:

  1. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by making you feel guilty?
  2. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by arguing with you?
  3. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by calling you a prude, unmanly, etc?
  4. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by making you feel that he or she owed you sex [e.g., you have been dating for six months and so you owe your partner sex]?
  5. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by getting you drunk [or taking advantage of you when you were drunk]?
  6. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by pleading or making you feel sorry for the person?
  7. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by undressing in front of you?
  8. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by exposing his or her private parts?
  9. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by stroking his or her genitals?
  10. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by blackmailing you?
  11. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by threatening to hurt you?
  12. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by giving you money or expensive gifts?
  13. Have you ever had someone coerce you into engaging in sexual activities by using physical force?

Response Options:
No, Definitely - 1
No - 2
Yes - 3
Yes, Definitely - 4

Scoring Procedures

The total score is calculated by summing all item values.

Original Citation

Mathes, E. W., & McCoy, J. (2011). Perpetration of Sexual Coercion and Victim of Sexual Coercion Scales: development and validation. Psychological Reports, 108(2), 449-469. https://doi.org/10.2466/08.09.16.PR0.108.2.449-469


Psychometric Score

Ease of Use Score

Scoring breakdown

Formative Research

Qualitative Research

Existing Literature/Theoretical Framework

Field Expert Input

Cognitive Interviews / Pilot Testing

Reliability

Internal

Test-retest

Interrater

Validity

Content

Face

Criterion (gold-standard)

Construct

KEY

Ease of Use

Readability

Scoring Clarity

Length

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