Experiences of sexual violence, bystander perspectives, and disclosure among young people—results of the 10th wave of the representative survey “Youth Sexuality”

Abstract

Background: Since 1998, the Federal Institute for Public Health (BIÖG, formerly Federal Centre for Health Education, BZgA) has gathered data on young people’s experiences of sexual violence through the representative “Youth Sexuality” survey. The survey has been regularly updated and refined. Drawing on initial descriptive findings, the key results of the 10th wave are presented. These cover the prevalence of direct (hands-on) and indirect (hands-off) experience of sexual violence, information about perpetrators, the role of bystanders, and the process of disclosure. Methods: In the first half of 2025, computer-assisted personal interviews (CAPI) were conducted with a sample (N = 5855) of adolescents (14–17 years) and young adults (18–25 years). The latest wave of the representative survey included questions on bystanders and the disclosure process. Results: The results reveal a high prevalence of both direct and indirect sexual violence during adolescence. Peers play a key role—as perpetrators, as bystanders, and in the disclosure process. Discussion: The study supports national and international evidence that adolescence is a period of heightened risk for sexual (peer) violence. It highlights the crucial role of bystanders—both during and after sexual violence—suggesting that intervention and prevention efforts should also target bystanders.