Sexual Violence Against Children and Adolescents: A German Nationwide Representative Survey on Its Prevalence, Situational Context, and Consequences.

Abstract

Background: Sexual violence against children and adolescents is widespread around the world. Current knowledge about the extent of this often concealed problem and the situational contexts in which it occurs is insufficient, not only in Germany.

Methods: A representative sample of the German population aged 18 to 59 was selected for this survey with the aid of Infratest dimap (a private polling company). The participants were asked to fill in a combination of written postal and online questionnaires in a mixedmode design from January to October 2024.

Results: 10 000 people were contacted in writing (response rate: 30.2%). 12.7% [11.5; 13.9] stated that they were affected by sexual violence, including 20.6% of all women and 4.8% of all men. Men had more frequently experienced sexual violence in sports and leisure facilities, in a church context, and in the setting of government- provided child, youth, and family services. 37.4% [32.6; 42.2] of the affected persons had not previously reported the crime to anyone. 31.7% [30.0; 33.4] of respondents reported sexual violence via the internet and social media. The mental health of affected persons was poorer than that of unaffected persons.

Conclusion: Many cases of sexual violence go unreported. The different settings in which these offenses are committed, e.g., the preponderance of male victims in institutional settings, further imply a need for differentiated protection strategies, addressing both potential victims and potential perpetrators.