Teenagers & Sexual Violence Infographic Who Experiences Teen Sexual Violence? Rates of sexual violence against youth aged 12-18 are very high,1 and the survivor normally knows the person who committed the offense.2 Nationally, about 8% or 10 million girls and 0.7% or 791,000 boys under the age of 18 have experienced either rape or attempted rape.2 Experiencing sexual violence as a child or teen makes it more likely the survivor will experience re-victimization in adulthood.2 One in three (30.1%) victims of completed rape experienced their first rape between ages 11-17.3 It is difficult to determine the full impact of sexual violence against teenagers since most research focuses on children or college-aged youth. There are many gaps in research on sexual violence against teens, especially those from marginalized, unserved, and underserved communities. Throughout this document we will alternate between using teen, youth, and young people to reflect the variety of ways people identify. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys have been sexually abused before the age of 18.4 Who Commits Sexual Violence Against Teens? Youth who experience sexual violence are more likely to be victimized by a peer or someone they know.2 10.1% of girls were victimized by a stranger. 43.6% of girls were victimized by an acquaintance. 27.7% of girls were victimized by a family member. 28.8% of girls were victimized by a current or former intimate partner. Over 35% of boys were made to victimize someone else (completed or attempted) by an acquaintance. Effects of Sexual Violence Young people who experience sexual violence may experience: Poor academic performance,5 Sexual risk taking behavior,6 Pregnancy,7 and Self-harm.8 Sexual assaults against youth happen in familiar places. 10-31% Survivor’s home9,10 24% Survivor’s neighborhood10 15-44% Survivor’s school9,10 Teens who experience sexual violence may suffer from mental health conditions: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder11 Substance abuse12 Eating disorders13 Low self-esteem14 Depression15 Anxiety16 Consider or attempt suicide17 Sexual Violence and Students According to the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 6.7% of high school students reported they were physically forced to have sexual intercourse. This includes:18 2.1% ninth grade boys 3.9% tenth grade boys 2.8% eleventh grade boys 3.5% twelfth grade boys 9.4% ninth grade girls 7.9% tenth grade girls 12% eleventh grade girls 11.9% twelfth grade girls A study on sexual harassment of 7-12 grade students found:19 56% of girls have experienced any kind of sexual harassment. 40% of boys have experienced any kind of sexual harassment. Experiencing any kind of Sexual Harassment 48% of all Students Experiencing Sexual Harassment in Person 35% of Boys 52% of Girls Experiencing Sexual Harassment Online 24% of Boys 36% of Girls Sexual Violence in Detention Facilities A Bureau of Justice Statistics report found that in a nationally survey of juvenile facilities and state contract facilities that:20 Almost 1 in 10 youth were sexually abused in the past year. Over 90% of youth who reported staff sexual misconduct were victimized by a female facility staff. Most youth were abused by a staff member and over 85% were assaulted multiple times. Gay, lesbian, and bisexual youth experience higher rates of sexual violence (14.3%) compared to heterosexual youth (8.9%). In 2011-12 4.7% of youth age 16-17 who were held in adult prisons and jails reported sexual victimization. This rate is similar to those of adult inmates.21 Oppression and Sexual Violence Against Teens Sexual violence does not happen in isolation. Oppression (racism, classism, heterosexism, ableism, etc) is one of the root causes of sexual violence.22 Youth of color, homeless youth, and LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience sexual violence. Race and Sexual Violence African American and Hispanic girls are more likely to experience sexual violence than white girls.23 12.01% African American 11.23% Hispanic 9.98% White Homelessness and Sexual Violence Homeless or precariously housed youth reported experiencing childhood sexual abuse and sexual assault.24 33.2% Childhood Sexual Abuse (prior to homelessness) 13% Sexual Assault (since becoming homeless) LGBTQ youth experience higher rates of sexual violence before becoming homeless.25 Once homeless LGBTQ youth are victims of 7.4 more acts of sexual violence during their lifetime than their heterosexual homeless peers.25 LGBTQ and Sexual Violence LGBT youth are more than three times as likely to engage in survival sex or exchange sex for food, money, shelter, drugs, or clothing.26 LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience sexual harassment than heterosexual youth. In one study 81% of transgender youth experienced sexual harassment.28 29.9% of lesbian or bisexual girls indicated they had been forced to have sexual intercourse.27 25.5% of gay or bisexual boys indicated they had been forced to have sexual intercourse.27 Disability and Sexual Violence Youth with physical disabilities are more likely to experience sexual violence than youth without physical disabilities.29 Over 25% of girls with a physical experienced contact sexual violence.30 Over 18% of boys with a physical disability have experienced contact sexual violence.30 In one study over 22% of physically disabled youth experienced contact sexual violence – this is 1.74 times higher than able bodied youth. Over 40% of physically disabled youth experienced non-contact sexual violence.30 References 1Black, M. C., Basile, K. C., Breiding, M. J., Smith, S. G., Walters, M. L., Merrick, M. T., … Stevens, M. R. (2011). National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 summary report. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf 2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.) Sexual violence in youth: Findings from the 2012 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/2012FindingsonSVinYouth.pdf 3Smith, S. G., Chen, J., Basile, K. C., Gilbert, L. K., Merrick, M. T., Patel, N., … Jain, A. (2017). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010-2012 state report. Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/NISVS-StateReportBook.pdf 4Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Whitfield, C. L., Brown, D. W., Felitti, V. J., Dong, M., & Giles, W. H. (2005). Long-term consequences of childhood sexual abuse by gender of victim. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 28, 430–438. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2005.01.015 5Macmillan, R., & Hagan, J. (2004). Violence in the transition to adulthood: Adolescent victimization, education, and socioeconomic attainment in later life. Journal of Research on Adolescence, 14, 127-158. doi:10.1111/j.1532-7795.2004.01402001.x 6Lang, D. L., Sales, J. M., Salazar, L. F., Hardin, J. W., DiClemente, R. J., Wingood, G. M., & Rose, E. (2011). Rape victimization and high risk sexual behaviors: Longitudinal study of African-American adolescent females. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine, 12, 333-342. Retrieved from the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Center for Biotechnology Information: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3117610/pdf/wjem12_3p0333.pdf 7Noll, J. G., Shenk, C. E., & Putnman, K. T. (2009). Childhood sexual abuse and adolescent pregnancy: A meta-analytic update. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 34, 336-378. doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsn098 8Noll, J. G., Horowitz, L. A., Bonanno, G. A., Trickett, P. K., & Putnam, F. W. (2003). Revictimization and self-harm in females who experienced childhood sexual abuse: Results from a prospective study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 18, 1452-1471. doi:10.1177/0886260503258035 9Young, A. M., Grey, M., & Boyd, C. J. (2009). Adolescents’ experiences of sexual assault by peers: Prevalence, and nature of victimization occurring within and outside of school. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 38, 1072-1083. doi:10.1007/s10964-008-9363-y 10Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., & Smith, D. W. (2003, April). Youth victimization: Prevalence and implications (NCJ 194972). NIJ Research in Brief. Retrieved from National Criminal Justice Reference Service: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/194972.pdf 11Kilpatrick, D. G., Ruggiero, K. J., Acierno, R., Saunders, B. E., Resnick, H. S., & Best, C. L. (2003). Violence and risk of PTSD, major depression, substance abuse/dependence, and comorbidity: Results from the National Survey of Adolescents. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 71, 692-700. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.71.4.692 12Kilpatrick, D. G., Acierno, R., Saunders, B., Resnick, H. S., Best, C. L., & Schnurr, P. P. (2000). Risk factors for adolescent substance abuse and dependence: Data from a national sample. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 68, 19-30. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.68.1.19 13Thompson, K. M., Wonderlich, S. A., Crosby, R. D., & Mitchell, J. E. (2001). Sexual violence and weight control techniques among adolescent girls. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 29, 166-176. doi:10.1002/1098-108X(200103)29:2<166::AID-EAT1006>3.0.CO;2-3 14Turner, H. A., Finkelhor, D., & Ormrod, R. (2010). The effects of adolescent victimization on self-concept and depressive symptoms. Child Maltreatment, 15, 76-90. doi:10.1177/1077559509349444 15Danielson, C. K., de Arellano, M. A., Kilpatrick, D. G., Saunders, B. E., & Resnick, H. S. (2005). Child maltreatment in depressed adolescents: Differences in symptomatology based on history of abuse. Child Maltreatment, 10, 37-48. doi:10.1177/1077559504271630 16Marshall, A. D. (2016). Developmental timing of trauma exposure relative to puberty and the nature of psychopathology among adolescent girls. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 55, 25-32.e1. doi:10.1016/j.jaac.2015.10.004 17Anderson, L. M., Hayden, B. M., & Tomasula, J. L. (2014). Sexual assault, overweight, and suicide attempts in U.S. adolescents. Suicide and Life-Threatening Behavior, 45, 529-540. doi:10.1111/sltb.12148 18Kann, L., McManus, T., Harris, W. A., Shanklin, S. L., Flint, K. H. Hawkins, J., … & Zaza, S. (2016, June 10). Youth risk behavior surveillance – United States, 2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: Surveillance Summaries, 65(6). Retrieved from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/pdf/2015/ss6506_updated.pdf 19Hill, C., & Kearl, H. (2011). Crossing the line: Sexual harassment at school. Retrieved from American Association of University Women: http://www.aauw.org/files/2013/02/Crossing-the-Line-Sexual-Harassment-at-School.pdf 20Beck, A. J., Cantor, D., Hartge, J., & Smith, T. (2013). Sexual victimization in juvenile facilities reported by youth, 2012: National Survey of Youth in Custody, 2012 (NCJ 241708). Retrieved from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svjfry12.pdf 21Beck, A. J., Berzofsky, M., Caspar, R., & Krebs, C. (2013). Sexual victimization in prisons and jails reported by inmates, 2011-12: National Inmate Survey, 2011-12 (NCJ 241399). Retrieved from U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/svpjri1112.pdf 22Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape. (n.d.). Oppression & sexual violence. Retrieved from http://www.pcar.org/about-sexual-violence/oppression-sexual-violence 23Boothe, M. A. S., Wilson, R. M., Lassiter, T. E., & Holland, B. (2014). Differences in sexual behaviors and teen dating violence among Black, Hispanic, and White female adolescents. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 23, 1072-1089. doi:10.1080/10926771.2014.964436 24Wong, C. F., Clark, L. F., & Marlotte, L. (2016). The impact of specific and complex trauma on the mental health of homeless youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 31, 831-854. doi:10.1177/0886260514556770 25National Alliance to End Homelessness. (2009). Homeless youth and sexual exploitation: Research findings and practice implications. Retrieved from: http://b.3cdn.net/naeh/c0103117f1ee8f2d84_e8m6ii5q2.pdf 26Cray, A, Miller, K., & Durso, L. E. (2013). Seeking shelter: The experiences and unmet needs of LGBT homeless youth. Retrieved from the Center for American Progress: https://www.americanprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/LGBTHomelessYouth.pdf 27Lindley, L. L., & Walsemann, K. M. (2015). Sexual orientation and risk of pregnancy among New York City high-school students. American Journal of Public Health, 105, 1379-1386. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2015.302553 28Mitchell, K. J., Ybarra, M. L., & Obsuth, I. (2014). Sexual harassment among adolescents of different sexual orientations and gender identities. Child Abuse & Neglect, 38, 280-295. doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2013.09.008 29Turner, H. A., Vanderminden, J., Finkelhor, D., Hamby, S., & Shattuck, A. (2011). Disability and victimization in a national sample of children and youth. Child Maltreatment, 16, 275-286. doi: 10.1177/1077559511427178 30Mueller-Johnson, K., Eisner, M. P., & Obsuth, I. (2014). Sexual victimization of youth with a physical disability: An examination of prevalence rates, and risk and protective factors. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 29, 3180-3206. doi:10.1177/0886260514534529 National Sexual Violence Resource Center • www.nsvrc.org • 1-877-739-3895 © National Sexual Violence Resource Center 2018. All Rights Reserved.