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Monetizing Well-being Reductions Associated with Unwanted Sexual Experiences of Women

Author

Listed:
  • Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir

    (University of Iceland)

  • Hjördis Hardardottir

    (University of Iceland)

  • Arna Hauksdóttir

    (University of Iceland)

  • Brynja Jonbjarnardottir

    (University of Iceland)

  • Edda Bjork Thordardottir

    (University of Iceland
    Landspitali, The National University Hospital of Iceland)

  • Unnur Anna Valdimarsdottir

    (University of Iceland
    Institute of Environmental Medicine
    Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health)

Abstract

Well-being losses of victims are undoubtedly a large part of the overall cost of unwanted sexual experiences. As a result, cost-benefit analyses of policies targeting unwanted sexual experiences are likely to be severely biased if they fail to account for these intangible well-being losses. We use the compensating-income-variation method on data from the Icelandic SAGA (Stress-And-Gene-Analysis) cohort to estimate the monetary compensation needed to offset the well-being loss associated with unwanted sexual experiences for women. We examine heterogeneities of these costs by frequency, severity, and type of experience, the victim’s relationship with the perpetrator, and years since most recent exposure. The average yearly cost of well-being losses associated with having, at any time, had unwanted sexual experience is $$\$ $$ $ 24,449, with considerable heterogeneity across the dimensions studied. Our results imply that the intangible cost of unwanted sexual experience to society is considerably higher than previously assumed.

Suggested Citation

  • Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir & Hjördis Hardardottir & Arna Hauksdóttir & Brynja Jonbjarnardottir & Edda Bjork Thordardottir & Unnur Anna Valdimarsdottir, 2025. "Monetizing Well-being Reductions Associated with Unwanted Sexual Experiences of Women," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 180(2), pages 787-837, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:soinre:v:180:y:2025:i:2:d:10.1007_s11205-025-03694-8
    DOI: 10.1007/s11205-025-03694-8
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