Sexual violence committed by 9% of adolescents

Nearly one in 10 adolescents reported using some type of coercive or forced sexual violence during their lifetime, according to recent study findings published in JAMA Pediatrics.

“As one of the first reports of national rates of sexual violence in adolescents, findings should be interpreted cautiously,” the researchers wrote. “Results need to be replicated. Certainly, however, links between perpetration and violent sexual media are apparent, suggesting a need to monitor adolescents’ consumption of this material, particularly given today’s media saturation among the adolescents population. Because victim blaming appears to be common while perpetrators experiencing consequences is not, there is urgent need for high school (and middle school) programs aimed at supporting bystander intervention.”

The study included 1,058 adolescents aged 14 to 21 years who participated in the national Growing Up with Media study in 2010 and 2011.

Researchers found that 9% reported carrying out some type of sexual violence in their lifetime. Eight percent of participants kissed, touched or made someone else do something sexual knowing the other person did not want to; 3% got someone to have sex when they knew the other person did not want to; 3% attempted rape; and 2% completed rape.

Sixteen years was the most common age for the first perpetration of sexual violence, and males were more likely to have their first episode at age 15 years or younger.

“Policies that enhance the likelihood that perpetrators are identified also need to be considered,” the researchers wrote. “Findings suggest important differences between males and females in the etiology of adolescent sexual violence; it appears to emerge earlier for males than females, perhaps suggesting different developmental trajectories.”

Disclosure: The study was funded in part by the CDC.

Published by:

Sources/Disclosures

Collapse

Source:

Ybarra ML. JAMA Pediatrics. 2013;doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.2629.