Sexual Violence in Adolescents

Methods Used to Control the Reproductive Choices of Women Who Are Sex Trafficked: Considerations for Health Care Providers

Reproductive control or reproductive coercion has negative health consequences but has not been systematically studied within the context of sex trafficking. Our goal is to identify the range of methods used by sex traffickers and buyers to control the reproductive choices of trafficked women and to provide specific examples of these methods. We searched PubMed, Embase, and PsycInfo using the terms "reproductive control" or "reproductive coercion" and "human trafficking" or "sex trafficking," including papers that contained original, specific examples of reproductive control occurring within the context of sex trafficking. These reports were described and categorized into established domains of reproductive control. Eight articles were located that met our inclusion criteria, of which 6 described outcomes of birth control sabotage, 2 described pressuring into pregnancy, 5 described controlling the outcome of a pregnancy, and 2 described forced birth control or sterilization. Our findings have implications for how to take sexual histories and for identifying and assisting trafficked persons.

Relationship between Sexual Violence and the Health of Spanish Women-A National Population-Based Study

BACKGROUND

Health consequences are likely to be different when sexual violence is analysed independently from other types of violence. It is also likely that different health consequences will result in the cases of partner or ex-partner sexual violence, non-partner sexual violence and sexual harassment.

METHODS

This study is based on the 2019 Macro-survey of Violence against Women conducted by the Spanish Ministry of Equality on a sample of 9568 women aged 16 years or older. Odds ratios were calculated, and multinomial logistic regression analyses were performed.

RESULTS

The present study estimates that 4 out of 10 surveyed women had experienced some form of sexual violence in their lifetime. Sexual harassment is the most frequently reported form of this violence, while intimate partner sexual violence is the form with the most unfavourable sociodemographic characteristics and the worst health impact indicators, such as a greater likelihood of suicidal behaviour.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual violence is a widespread, under-studied problem with negative health impacts. Women exposed to intimate partner violence are the most vulnerable and at risk. It is advised that responses and comprehensive care plans be developed that place special emphasis on the protection of victims' mental health.

Do Sexual Minorities Face Greater Risk for Sexual Harassment, Ever and at School, in Adolescence? : Findings From a 2019 Cross-Sectional Study of U.S. Adults

Bullying of sexual minorities in the United States is common and often begins in middle and high school, yet research that examines sexual harassment of sexual minorities is limited. This study examines whether sexual minorities are more likely than straight people to (a) report sexual harassment and (b) report sexual harassment as adolescents at middle or high school. We analyzed survey data from a cross-sectional study of sexual harassment and assault, conducted with nationally representative samples of adults in 2019 (N = 2,205). Sexual harassment was categorized as non-physically aggressive sexual harassment only (NPSH; e.g., verbal or cyber harassment), physically aggressive sexual harassment (PSH; e.g., stalking, rubbing up against you; with or without NPSH), sexual assault (SA; i.e., forced sex; with or without NPSH or PSH), or no sexual harassment (none). In total, 6% of female and male respondents identified as a sexual minority. A history of sexual harassment or assault was reported by 95.0% of sexual minority women and 80.3% of straight women (p = .001), and by 77.3% of sexual minority men and 41.3% of straight men (p = .001). Multivariable multinomial models demonstrate that sexual minorities were more likely than straight individuals to report NPSH (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 2.88, 95% [Confidence Interval] CI = [1.33, 6.20]), PSH (AOR = 4.15, 95% CI: [1.77, 9.77]), and SA (AOR = 5.48, 95% CI = [2.56, 11.73]; reference group: no harassment), as well as to report PSH (AOR = 2.67, 95% CI = [1.30, 5.47]) at school in middle or high school. These abuses demonstrate increased risk for sexual harassment among sexual minorities, including increased risk for physically aggressive sexual harassment when in middle and high school.

A trauma-informed guide to caring for adolescents following sexual assault

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Sexual assault is common among adolescents worldwide. Survivors of sexual assault may experience various immediate and long-term effects on their physical and mental health. It is important that pediatric healthcare providers (HCPs) are aware of the high prevalence of sexual assault and recognize the impact on their adolescent patients. The aim of this update is to discuss how pediatric HCPs can embody a trauma-informed approach when caring for survivors of sexual assault across various settings.

RECENT FINDINGS

All adolescent patients should be screened for sexual assault during routine clinical visits; in responding to a disclosure, providers should exhibit compassion, express validation, and help connect the patient to resources to aid in healing. Caring for survivors of sexual assault should ideally be multidisciplinary, involving treatment of the medical complications (including the possibility of pregnancy or infection) and mental health sequelae (including increased likelihood of depression, posttraumatic symptoms, and suicidality).

SUMMARY

A trauma-informed approach can be applied to all aspects of caring for survivors of sexual assault, from screening for sexual assault and responding to disclosure, to providing acute and longitudinal care following sexual assault.