Previous research on sexual violence suggests that there is a higher likelihood of students from LGBTQ+ community experiencing sexual violence and not reporting it. This study investigates various types of sexual violence experienced by the LGBTQ+ students and the prevalence of reporting it. The study further determines why different types of sexual violence are not being reported. This study uses a LGBTQ+ scholarship survey data conducted in 2019. Using Pearson’s chi square analysis, the study investigates the relationship between who experienced various kinds of sexual violence and those who do not report it. The study provides descriptive analysis of reasons for not reporting sexual violence across different types of sexual violence. The results show that there is a statistically significant relationship between those who experienced various kinds of sexual violence and those who do not report it. In addition, the study illustrates mistrust in support services and fear of embarrassment as the major reasons resulting in non-reporting behaviors. In conclusion, the study illustrates high prevalence for various types of sexual violence against LGBTQ+ students as well as high underreporting. Study results have implications for health professionals and institutions to focus efforts in making school environments safe and inclusive for LGBTQ+ students.

Sexual assault rates are increasing with ride-shares. Sexual violence data are often underestimated due to sexual violence cases going unreported and can lead to negative health outcomes. There is no research on the phenomenon of sexual assaults among ride-share users. This manuscript investigates sexual assaults from two ride-share companies and the policies/procedures in place to prevent sexual assaults. The data from two ride-share companies’ previous Safety Reports were compared to see an increase in sexual assaults. The researchers looked at policies and regulations that ride-share companies have to prevent sexual assault. There is a call for research to investigate more in-depth the sexual assaults that have occurred including demographic data, geographic location, global positioning system failure, and the effectiveness of the criminal background checks.

The purpose of sexual orientation change efforts (SOCE) is to change an individual’s sexual orientation, not necessarily gender identity. Given that sexual orientation is a distinctly different construct than gender identity, sexual conversion therapy methods may be different for transgender individuals, and the impact may also be different. This qualitative multiple case study (N =4) investigated the experiences and impact of SOCE on transgender individuals in the Midwest using a phenomenological approach to develop the common meaning of a concept based on individuals’ shared lived experiences. Semi-structured interviews were used to gather data on participants'’ experiences of having undergone SOCE, and these data were used to uncover and describe cross-cutting themes. Participants identified the following as influences for having undergone SOCE: transphobia in the household environment, residence in a gender-normative environment, and religiosity in interpersonal relationships. The methods used by religious practitioners and those practicing reparative therapy; included electric shock therapy, electric shock on genitals paired with homosexual stimuli, physical abuse, and sexual abuse. The immediate negative impacts of SOCE included feelings of inauthenticity, pretend acceptance of their biological sex, and conformation to gender norms. Lasting effects included loss of faith, lack of trust, sexual dysfunction, and negative self-esteem.

The burial of caskets with arsenic-treated wood and formaldehyde-based embalming fluids can harm the environment and health. Arsenic (As) can leach into water, affecting aquatic life and the food chain. Formaldehyde can contaminate groundwater, risking drinking water and causing health problems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of As and formaldehyde in cemetery plots of different ages. For this, we evaluated whether there is a potential for formaldehyde and As from cemetery caskets to contaminate waterways, which could impact livestock and allow transmission to individuals. There were six soil samples (n = 6), collected at 2 m depth, close to the buried caskets, as well as two (n = 2) groundwater samples (soil + groundwater) collected from a cemetery in Middle Tennessee. The soil was analyzed by an environmental lab using EPA 8315A for formaldehyde and EPA 3050B for As. All samples were below the limit of detection (<LOD) for As and formaldehyde, except for the 1952 soil sample, which presented 2 mg kg⁻¹ of formaldehyde prevalence. We determined that there is a low likelihood of contamination of waterways and transmission to individuals. Future research is needed to investigate earlier dates of cemetery plots to determine if prior embalming practices could still impact present-day health outcomes. Also, current dates of cemeteries should be investigated to determine if there is a prevalence of formaldehyde and As.