Sexual Violence against Women in Germany: Prevalence and Risk Markers

Sexual violence and risk factors among night shift female college students in Hawassa city, South Ethiopia, 2020

BACKGROUND

Sexual violence is any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, against a person's sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting. Several studies were undertaken on sexual violence among students in general. Nevertheless, there is paucity of information about sexual violence among night shift students in particular; even if they are more vulnerable to sexual violence due to the nature of the class time. The government has embraced legal and policy frameworks to discourse the problem of sexual violence in Ethiopia; nevertheless, the problem still is quite pervasive.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of sexual violence and risk factors among night shift female college students in Hawassa city.

METHODS

Institution-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from 345 study participants. Systematic random sampling technique was used to choice study participants. Epi data version 3.1statistical software and Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22.0 were used to enter and analysis the data. Both bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to recognize risk factors. P values < 0.05 with 95% confidence level were used to state statistical significance.

RESULTS

A total of 330 students were participated in the study making a response rate of 95.6% with a mean age of 24.9. The prevalence of last 12 month sexual violence was 202 (61.2%) 95% CI (55.8, 66.4) which includes rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment. The 12 month prevalence of each form of violence was 46 (13.9%) 95% CI (10.6, 17.9), 23 (6.9%) 95% CI (3.6, 10.9) and 163 (49.4%) 95% CI (46.2, 53.6) of rape, attempted rape and sexual harassment respectively. The independent predictors of sexual violence having a father with no formal education (AOR = 2.39, 95% CI 1.04, 5.33) presence of multiple sexual partners (AOR = 3.44, 95% CI 1.64, 7.2), having sexual partner (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI 1.03, 3.5), and consuming alcohol (3.55, 95% CI 1.84-6.85) by the victims.

CONCLUSION

This study shown that the prevalence of sexual violence is high among night shift female college students in Hawassa city. Having a father with no formal education, drinking alcohol, having multiple sexual partners and having sexual partner were more likely to have sexual violence within the last 12 month. Thus, students should prevent themselves from health risky behaviors and Hawassa educational bureau should be work on awareness creation concerning women empowerment with in marriage and Further broad and longitudinal studies are needed to determine the predictors of the problem among female students at Hawassa and Ethiopia as a whole.

The association between victim-offender relationship and the age of children and adolescents who suffer sexual violence: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

Sexual violence is a problem that affects children and adolescents regardless of social class, age, origin, religion, education level, marital status, race, or sexual orientation. This study aimed to analyze the associations between victim-offender relationships and the victim's age in cases of sexual violence involving female victims.

METHODS

This cross-sectional, retrospective observational study used data from the Brazilian Ministry of Health's Department of Public Health Surveillance in Brasília regarding the reportable crime of rape as informed by female victims in the Federal District between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018. The age of the victim was classified as <15 years or 15-19 years. The offenders were classified into eight different categories according to their relationship with the victim: father, stepfather, brother, husband, boyfriend, friend, stranger, and others. The association between the victim-offender relationship and the victim's age was assessed.

RESULTS

Overall, there were 4,617 reported cases of sexual violence, with 78.3% of these (n = 3614) corresponding to children under 15 and 21.7% to adolescents 15-19 years old (n = 1003). Close relatives, including brothers, and friends were the main perpetrators in cases of girls < 15 years old. Strangers and friends were the principal perpetrators in the group of girls 15-19 years old.

CONCLUSIONS

Children under 15 are the group most affected by sexual violence. Strategies must be developed to prevent the sexual abuse of children and adolescents and to facilitate the rehabilitation of victimized children.

The Predictors of Awareness of Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence in the Media and the Influence on Actions of the Individuals

Introduction: The number of reportings on sexual abuse (SA), sexual violence (SV) cases covered in the media has risen a significant amount with most cases involving women and children. The aim of the study is to explore the questions: Are people aware of sexual abuse and sexual violence in the media? What are the predictors of awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence? Does the awareness of sexual abuse and sexual violence in the media affect the actions of the individuals? Methods: A representative survey of the German-speaking resident population (2020) on physical and mental well-being was used. The participants (N = 2,503: females = 50.9%) were between the ages of 14 and 97 (M = 49.81). The German version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire, The General Habitual Well-Being Questionnaire and questions about own experiences of sexual harassment on the internet, experiences of domestic sexual abuse and different socio-economic variables were used. The outcome variables regarding the awareness of SA and SV in the media, different types of scandals (church, pedophile, USA), #MeToo-debate and the change in actions were used. Frequency analyses and binary regressions were conducted. Results: One thousand five hundred and fifty-five (62.6%) respondents answered yes to being aware of SA and SV in the media. The results show that females, aging, number of children in household, Protestant and Catholic religion, school graduation, own experience(s) of sexual harassment on the internet, own experience(s) of SA in childhood, and Adverse Childhood Experiences have a significant higher association to the awareness of SA and SV in the media. German nationality and Muslim religion have a significant lower association. The variables that most commonly affected the awareness of SA and SV, scandals, debate and the individual actions were age, own experiences of sexual harassment on the internet and the Protestant religion. Conclusion: Advertising more support centers, hotlines and linking this information to sexual abuse cases covered in the media should be considered. Media bystander interventions could be helpful to train people to react appropriately. Further investigation that considers the different types of media and its influence on the awareness of SA and SV is needed.

Gewalttätigkeiten in Partnerschaften – Männer und Frauen mit Suchtproblemen als Opfer und Täter/Täterinnen

In diesem Beitrag geht es um Gewalttätigkeiten in Partnerschaften und den Zusammenhang mit dem Konsum bzw. Missbrauch von Alkohol und anderen (stimulierenden) psychoaktiven Substanzen. Hellfelddaten, die vom Bundeskriminalamt zusammengestellt werden, belegen, dass rund ¼ derjenigen, die wegen Gewalttätigkeiten in Partnerschaften angezeigt werden, unter dem Einfluss von Alkohol stehen; die Mehrzahl von ihnen ist männlich, die Minderheit weiblich. Jedoch belegen Befragungsdaten (sog. Dunkelfelddaten), dass das Ausmaß der Partnerschaftsgewalt viel höher ist und viel höhere Zahlen von Täter:innen und Opfern existieren. Zudem zeigen Studien, die mit den Conflict Tactics Scales durchgeführt worden sind, dass das Aggressionsniveau von Männern und Frauen sich wenig voneinander unterscheidet. Das gilt allerdings nicht für sexualisierte Gewalt, Frauen sind fast immer die Opfer von sexualisierter Gewalt. Zusammengefasst kann festgehalten werden, dass Männer und Frauen sich in etwa gleicher Häufigkeit sowohl „nüchtern“ als auch unter dem Einfluss von psychoaktiven Substanzen in leichte aggressive Auseinandersetzungen einlassen, aber es sind vor allem Männer, die darüber hinaus gehen, insbesondere hinsichtlich sexueller Gewalt. Schätzungen auf der Basis von Behandlungsdaten weisen darauf hin, dass rund 2/3 der Frauen, die in einer Suchtbehandlung sind, Opfer von Partnerschaftsgewalt sind. Eine kleinere Gruppe von Frauen ist in kleinere aggressive Auseinandersetzungen involviert und einige wenige Frauen sind selbst gewalttätig. Diese Gruppen von Frauen benötigen unterschiedliche Hilfsprogramme ebenso wie Männer als Gewalttäter oder Opfer, damit sie sich entweder gegen Gewalt in Partnerschaften wehren können oder ihren Ärger und ihre Impulsivität kontrollieren lernen.

Does Stockholm Syndrome Exist in Lebanon? Results of a Cross-Sectional Study Considering the Factors Associated With Violence Against Women in a Lebanese Representative Sample

The aim of this study is to validate the Stockholm syndrome scale (SSS) in Arabic, assess the correlation of the Stockholm syndrome in women who are victims of domestic violence, and evaluate the factors that enhance the level of violation among a representative sample of the Lebanese population. This is a cross-sectional study conducted on Lebanese women between September and December 2018. Participants enrolled in this study were from all of Lebanon's governorates and selected using an equitable representative sample. Being divorced (β = 9.83); with low educational level (β = 5.47); having a partner that takes substance (β = 16.17); addicted to alcohol (β = 8.21); addicted to gambling (β = 11.91); have a history of threats, violence, assaults, and crimes (β = 17.83); higher stressful life experiences (β = 0.75); and higher SSS score (β = 0.04) were significantly associated with higher partner physical and nonphysical abuse scale. For the validation of the SSS, five items (items 3, 20, 30, 38, and 40) were removed because none over-correlated with each other (r >.9), had a low load on the factors (<.3), or a weak commonality (<.3). SSS items converged on a seven-factor solution with Eigenvalues greater than 1, accounting for a total of 66.59% of the variance (α = .970). Our study revealed a positive association between the Stockholm syndrome and the violence against women and evaluated many factors that increase this association. Divorced women, with low educational level, having a partner addicted to alcohol, to illegal substance or to gambling, having a history of threats, violence, assaults, and crimes were more prone to experience physical and nonphysical abuse.

Factors associated with violence against women following the COVID-19 lockdown in France: Results from a prospective online survey

BACKGROUND

The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the first COVID-19 lockdown (March 17th-May 11th 2020) on violence against women in France.

METHODS

A prospective survey was conducted online between April 2th 2020 and July 5th 2020. Female respondents were recruited from social media networks using the snowball sampling method. Data were collected three times: during (2-19 April) and at the end (11-25 May) of the first lockdown, and following the first lockdown (20 June- 05 July). Sociodemographic variables, lockdown living conditions, financial impact of COVID, and history of psychiatric disorder were evaluated, together with changes in psychological distress over the lockdown period, and the risk of being assaulted post lockdown.

RESULTS

Psychological distress was elevated and remained stable for most of the 1538 female respondents during lockdown. More than 7% of women were affected by physical or sexual violence post lockdown. Unwanted sexual contact accounted for the majority of abuse, but physical and sexual assault were also prevalent. The risk of being abused was higher for participants who had changed anxiety/insomnia symptoms over the lockdown period, and a history of abuse.

DISCUSSION

Women who experienced changes in anxiety/insomnia symptoms during the COVID-19 lockdown were at higher risk than others of being assaulted post lockdown, especially when they were already socially vulnerable. While social and psychological factors accounting for these changes warrant further investigation, communication and preventive measures during pandemics should include initiatives tailored to women more vulnerable to violence.

The Global Prevalence of Sexual Assault: A Systematic Review of International Research Since 2010

OBJECTIVE

We present a review of peer-reviewed English-language studies conducted outside the United States and Canada on the prevalence of sexual assault victimization in adolescence and adulthood published since 2010.

METHOD

A systematic literature search yielded 32 articles reporting on 45 studies from 29 countries. Studies that only provided prevalence estimates for sexual assault in intimate relationships or did not present separate rates for men and women were excluded. All studies were coded by two coders, and a risk of bias score was calculated for each study. Both past-year and prevalence rates covering longer periods were extracted.

RESULTS

The largest number of studies came from Europe (n=21), followed by Africa (n=11), Asia and Latin America (n=6 each). One study came from the Middle East and no studies were found from Oceania. Across the 22 studies that reported past-year prevalence rates, figures ranged from 0% to 59.2% for women, 0.3% to 55.5% for men, and 1.5% to 18.2% for LGBT samples. The average risk of bias score was 5.7 out of 10. Studies varied widely in methodology.

CONCLUSION

Despite regional variation, most studies indicate that sexual assault is widespread. More sustained, systematic, and coordinated research efforts are needed to gauge the scale of sexual assault in different parts of the world and to develop prevention measures.

Prevalence of Sexual Aggression Victimization and Perpetration in a German University Student Sample

This study examined the prevalence of sexual aggression perpetration and victimization in a sample of 1,172 students (755 female, 417 male) from four universities in Germany. All participants were asked about both victimization by, and perpetration of, sexual aggression since the age of 14 years, using the Sexual Aggression and Victimization Scale (SAV-S). Prevalence rates were established for different coercive strategies, sexual acts, and victim-perpetrator relationships. Both same-sex and opposite-sex victim-perpetrator constellations were examined. The overall victimization rate was 62.1% for women and 37.5% for men. The overall perpetration rate was 17.7% for men and 9.4% for women. Prevalence rates of both victimization and perpetration were higher for participants who had sexual contacts with both opposite-sex and same-sex partners than for participants with exclusively opposite-sex partners. Significant overlap was found between victim and perpetrator status for men and women as well as for participants with only opposite-sex and both opposite-sex and same-sex partners. A disparity between (higher) victimization and (lower) perpetration reports was found for both men and women, suggesting a general underreporting of perpetration rather than a gendered explanation in terms of social desirability or the perception of consent cues. The findings are placed in the international research literature on the prevalence of sexual aggression before and after the #metoo campaign, and their implications for prevention efforts are discussed.