6533b7dafe1ef96bd126d925

RESEARCH PRODUCT

The Prevalence of sexual abuse in institutions : Results from a representative population-based sample in Germany

Paul L. PlenerJörg M. FegertElmar BrählerMiriam RassenhoferAndreas WittMarc Allroggen

subject

MaleAdolescentSexueller MissbrauchPopulationAdult populationKindsexual offenderPeer GroupChild sexual abuse; GermanyAdult womenddc:150GermanyPrevalenceHumans0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesddc:610educationChildDeutschlandGeneral Psychology0505 lawChild Institutionalizededucation.field_of_studyOrganizationsSchoolsDDC 150 / PsychologySex offenses05 social sciencesPopulation based sampleChild abuse SexualPsychiatry and Mental healthSexual intercourseSexual abuseChild sexual abuse050501 criminologyvictimFemaleClubPsychologyDDC 610 / Medicine & health050104 developmental & child psychologyDemography

description

The lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse in institutional settings in Germany was examined in a sample representative of the general adult population (N = 2,437). Participants completed a survey on whether they had ever experienced such abuse, its nature (contact, noncontact, forced sexual, intercourse), the type of institution (e.g. school, club), and the relationship of perpetrator to victim (peer, caregiver, staff member). Overall, 3.1% of adult respondents (women: 4.8%, men: 0.8%) reported having experienced some type of sexual abuse in institutions. Adult women reported higher rates of all types than did men, with rates of 3.9% versus 0.8% for contact sexual abuse, 1.2% versus 0.3% for noncontact sexual abuse, and 1.7% versus 0.2% for forced sexual intercourse. We conclude that a remarkable proportion of the general population experiences sexual abuse in institutions, underscoring the need for development of protective strategies. Especially, schools seem to represent good starting points for primary prevention strategies.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2018-03-05
https://dx.doi.org/10.18725/oparu-47806