Self-reported sexual victimization among Chilean children and youth

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual victimization among a representative sample of children and youth from Chile and to analyze the sex and age differences. The First National Survey of Poly-victimization collected cross-sectional data via a self-report survey of 19,648 children and youth (aged 12-18 years). Lifetime victimization was reported by 31.9% of children and youth (23.9% of males and 39.7% of females) and 21.9% reported victimization in the past year (16.8% of males and 26.9% of females). Girls presented higher percentages of lifetime sexual victimization with and without physical contact in practically all of the items. However, boys had a higher prevalence in statutory rape. Younger participants reported a prevalence of sexual victimization of 23.1%, while older participants reported a prevalence of 40.0%. Youth between the ages of 15 and 18 years had a higher prevalence of lifetime sexual victimization in practically all its forms, except for verbal sexual harassment. The results show that Chilean children and youth are exposed to sexual victimization in an extensive way, which demands an immediate response by public policy.