Understanding what increases or reduces sexual assault risk for men who have sex with men

An Innovative, Prospective Model to Understand Risk and Protective Factors for Sexual Assault Experiences and Outcomes Among Men Who Have Sex with Men

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11287915

This project follows men who have sex with men for two years with online surveys to learn what makes sexual assault more or less likely and what helps people recover.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11287915 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

You would be asked to complete online surveys at baseline and every six months for two years about experiences like childhood abuse, alcohol use, stressful events, and any adult sexual assault across different types of relationships. The study will enroll several thousand men who have sex with men using social media, flyers, and community referrals. Researchers will track how these factors predict who experiences assault and who has worse or better outcomes afterward. The goal is to use what is learned to guide better prevention and support programs for the community.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are men aged 21 and older who have sex with men and are willing to complete online surveys every six months for two years.

Not a fit: People who are not men who have sex with men, under age 21, or unable or unwilling to complete online follow-up surveys are unlikely to participate or benefit directly.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this work could inform better prevention programs and support services that reduce sexual assault and improve recovery for men who have sex with men.

How similar studies have performed: Most prior research has been cross-sectional or limited to partner aggression, so this large prospective approach is relatively new for understanding adult sexual assault among men who have sex with men.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.