Adolescent sexual victimization: a prospective study on risk factors for first time sexual assault.
The present study set out to investigate predictors of first time adolescent peer-on-peer sexual victimization (APSV) among 238 female Grade 9 students from 30 schools in Denmark. A prospective research design was utilized to examine the relationship among five potential predictors as measured at baseline and first time APSV during a 6-month period. Data analysis was a binary logistic regression analysis. Number of sexual partners and displaying sexual risk behaviors significantly predicted subsequent first time peer-on-peer sexual victimization, whereas a history of child sexual abuse, early sexual onset and failing to signal sexual boundaries did not. The present study identifies specific risk factors for first time sexual victimization that are potentially changeable. Thus, the results may inform prevention initiatives targeting initial experiences of APSV.
The Danish Research Unit of Psychological Trauma, University of Southern Denmark, Odense M, Denmark. rhbramsen@health.sdu.dk
Rikke Holm
RH
Bramsen
Mathias
M
Lasgaard
Mary P
MP
Koss
Ask
A
Elklit
Jytte
J
Banner
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D019548:Crime Victims; D003718:Denmark; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D010379:Peer Group; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000523:psychology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*