Lifetime prevalences of nonconsensual sexual intercourse and touch and associations with health-related factors: Results from the German Health and Sexuality Survey (GeSiD)

Abstract

Background: In the last decade, the negative effects of sexual violence on health have again become a focus of health policies worldwide. So far, representative population data on lifetime prevalence for different age groups and specific links to health-related factors for Germany are lacking. Objectives: The study aimed to assess 1) the lifetime prevalence of self-reported nonconsensual sexual intercourse and sexual touch in childhood and across the lifespan and 2) associations with health-related factors. Materials and methods: Using a two-step stratified, randomized sample of residents’ registration offices, 4955 persons aged 18 to 75 years were interviewed within the scope of the nationwide scientific survey on health and sexuality in Germany (GeSiD). The associations between experiences of sexual violence and socio-demographic and health-related factors were age-adjusted and stratified for gender using logistic regression. Results: For women, the lifetime prevalence of (attempted/completed) nonconsensual intercourse was 14.9% and in the form of (attempted/completed) nonconsensual sexual touching was 40.8%; for men the prevalences were 3.1% and 13.2%, respectively. Regarding forced experiences in childhood, the prevalence of sex was 2.1% and of sexual touching was 7.5%. For both genders, the prevalence of nonconsensual intercourse was significantly higher in the case of low quality of life, poor health condition, a chronic illness or disability, or treatment for depression or for another mental disorder. Conclusions: The results illustrate the strong links between sexual violence and mental and somatic health. This points to the urgency to routinely explore experiences of sexual aggression.