Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression (SOGIE) and Experiences of Domestic Violence and Bullying among Filipino Adolescents

Violence poses serious risks to adolescent health and development. However, evidence on how these experiences vary by sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression (SOGIE) remains limited in low- and middle-income countries. Using nationally representative survey data, we examined the association between SOGIE and exposure to domestic violence and bullying among Filipino adolescents. We used multivariable regression models to estimate associations across multiple dimensions of SOGIE while controlling for relevant covariates. Our results show that sexual minority adolescents (lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, queer) face significantly higher odds of violence. After adjusting for individual and household factors, they have about 1.7 times higher odds of exposure to domestic violence and twice the odds of experiencing bullying compared to their heterosexual peers. Gender expression is associated with elevated risks of domestic violence among adolescents and in sex-specific ways, particularly for bullying among gender non-conforming boys and domestic violence among gender non-conforming girls. Our findings provide the first large-scale quantitative evidence of SOGIE-related violence in the Philippines and highlight the need for inclusive, evidence-based child protection and anti-bullying policies that address the vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ adolescents. Comments to this paper are welcome within 60 days from the date of posting. Email publications@pids.gov.ph.