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Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sexual Victimization: Findings from a National Representative Sample of Belgian Adults Aged 16–69

Author

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  • Evelyn Schapansky

    (Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Joke Depraetere

    (Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
    Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium)

  • Ines Keygnaert

    (Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Christophe Vandeviver

    (Department of Criminology, Criminal Law and Social Law, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
    Research Foundation—Flanders (FWO), 1000 Brussels, Belgium
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Sexual victimization is a major public health, judicial, and societal concern worldwide. Nationally representative and comparable studies are still lacking. We applied a broad definition of sexual violence, including hands-off and hands-on victimization, and behaviorally specific questions to assess sexual victimization. Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates were obtained that are representative of the Belgian general population aged 16 to 69 with regard to sex and age. These estimates indicate that 64% experienced some form of sexual victimization in their lives, and 44% experienced some form of sexual victimization in the past 12 months. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations for sex, age, sexual orientation, the number of sexual partners, and the financial situation with sexual victimization. Furthermore, our data show that mental health is significantly worse in persons with a history of prior sexual victimization. Prevalence estimates for all forms of sexual victimization are presented and compared to other national and international studies on sexual victimization. This comparison suggests that prevalence rates may have been underestimated in extant research. The prevalence estimates obtained in this study demonstrate that all sexes and ages are affected by sexual victimization.

Suggested Citation

  • Evelyn Schapansky & Joke Depraetere & Ines Keygnaert & Christophe Vandeviver, 2021. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Sexual Victimization: Findings from a National Representative Sample of Belgian Adults Aged 16–69," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-22, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:14:p:7360-:d:591500
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katherine B. Coffman & Lucas C. Coffman & Keith M. Marzilli Ericson, 2017. "The Size of the LGBT Population and the Magnitude of Antigay Sentiment Are Substantially Underestimated," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 63(10), pages 3168-3186, October.
    2. Martine Selm & Nicholas Jankowski, 2006. "Conducting Online Surveys," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 435-456, June.
    3. Breiding, M.J., 2015. "Prevalence and characteristics of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence victimization - National intimate partner and sexual violence survey, United States, 2011," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 105(4), pages 11-12.
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    1. Lotte De Schrijver & Elizaveta Fomenko & Barbara Krahé & Kristien Roelens & Tom Vander Beken & Ines Keygnaert, 2022. "Minority Identity, Othering-Based Stress, and Sexual Violence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Lotte De Schrijver & Anne Nobels & Jonathan Harb & Laurent Nisen & Kristien Roelens & Tom Vander Beken & Christophe Vandeviver & Ines Keygnaert, 2022. "Victimization of Applicants for International Protection Residing in Belgium: Sexual Violence and Help-Seeking Behavior," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-24, October.

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