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. 2018 Dec 16;21(5):991–1010. doi: 10.1177/1524838018816979

Table 1.

Prevalence Rates of Sexual Victimization (SV) in Previous Research, Including Choice of Study Design.

Authors (Date), Sample Size Publication Type Assessment Period (Country) Definition Question Style Description Type of Sexual Violence Prevalence (%); ♀ Prevalence (%); ♂
Breiding (2014), N = 12,727 Report Lifetime prevalence (US) Broad BSQ SV included several forms of rape (attempted and completed alcohol- or drug-facilitated penetration) and other types of SV (being made to penetrate, sexual coercion, unwanted sexual contact and noncontact, unwanted sexual experiences). TotalRapeOther types 10.81.723.4 27.319.343.9
De Haas (2012), N = 8,000 Research article Lifetime prevalence (NL) Broad BSQ SV was defined as offensive sexual advances, unwanted touching or forced to do or allow sexual things. Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical sexual contact (e.g., sexual remarks, seeing somebody masturbate) to physical contact (kissing, touching, oral/anal/vaginal sex). Total
Nonphysical SVPhysical SV		 7.715–24y30.911.0 25–70y28.613.1 33.315–24y54.431.0 25–70y52.342.2
Hellemans and Buysse (2013), N = 182 Book Lifetime prevalence (BE) Broad BSQ SV was defined as any situation in which a person is forced to undergo or commit sexual act agains his/her will. Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical sexual contact (sexual remarks, being forced to be naked and forced to masturbate) to physical contact (being touched sexually, forced to perform or allow oral sex, attempted/completed rape).
Total		 −18y10.7 +18y2.4 −18y22.3 +18y13.8
Johnson and Stahl (2004), N = subset of 490 Research article Lifetime prevalence and past 12 months or less (US) Broad BSQ SV included unwanted sexual acts during drinking games. Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical sexual contact (sexual remark, felt being taking advantage of) to physical contact (sexual touch, sexual intercourse). Unwanted sexual acts during drinking games NT NT
Kuyper et al. (2010), N = 1,350 Research article Since age of consent (NL) Broad BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts through the use of verbal manipulation, context-specific abuse (exploitation or intoxication) and sexual force among adolescents. Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical contact (e.g., sexual staring, sexual remarks, masturbating in the presence of other people) to physical contact. TotalNonphysical SVPhysical SV 66.353.745.7 83.975.863.1
Mossige et al. (2007), EE: N = 1,667; LT: N = 2,788; NO: N = 4,585; PL: N = 5,162; SE: N = 4,139 Book Lifetime prevalence (Baltic region) Broad BSQ SV was defined as abusive acts through the use of a degree of force or pressure against the will of the young person. Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical contact (indecent exposure, masturbation) to physical contact (touching, oral/anal and vaginal sex). Abusive acts (nonphysical and physical) NT NT
Pieters, Italiano, Offermans, and Hellemans (2010), N = 2,014 Book Lifetime prevalence and past 12 months or less (BE) Broad Non-BSQ Lifetime prevalence rates: A minimum of three sexual acts were included: forced sexual touch, attempt to force sexual relations, and forced sexual relations.Rate in the past 12 months: Sexual acts ranged from nonphysical contact (someone undressed themselves in a public space) to physical contact (touching, forced/unwanted sexual relation in a public space). LifetimeTotal −18y3.2 +18y0.8 −18y8.9 +18y5.6
Past 12 months

  1. Undressed and sexual touch

  2. Forced/unwanted sexual relations or touch
0.3

/
0.5
0.1
Sundaram, Laursen, and Helweg-Larsen (2008), N = 3,932 Research article Lifetime prevalence (DK) Broad Non-BSQ SV was defined as forced or attempts at forced sexual activity (ranging from nonphysical actions to completed intercourse) as a child, adolescent, or adult. Total 2 14
Vanwesenbeeck, Bakker, and Gesell (2010), N = 4,147 Research article Lifetime prevalence (NL) Broad Non-BSQ SV included being approached sexually in a way that is offensive, unwanted touching, being forced to do sexual things, or being forced to let sexual things be done to oneself. TotalRape 71 3910
Banyard et al. (2007), N = 651 Research article Past 12 months or less (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as unwanted sexual contact (attempted or actual kissing, fondling, or touching in a sexual or intimate way, excluding intercourse), after in some way communicating you did not want to engage in the sexual experience, or through use of force, intimidation, or incapacitation with alcohol or drugs in the past 6 months. Total 8.2 19.6
Conley et al. (2017), N = 7,603 Research article College students (US) Narrow Non-BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts through force or threat of harm ranging from sexual assault (rape, attempted rape, made to perform any type of sexual acts) to other unwanted or uncomfortable sexual experiences. Sexual assault or other unwanted sexual experiences

  1. Prior to college

  2. While in college

Other unwanted sexual  experiences

  1. Prior to college

  2. While in college


10.911.69.910.6


29.323.0

27.121.7
Craner, Martinson, Sigmon, and McGillicuddy (2015), N = 954 Research article Since age of consent (US) Narrow Non-BSQ and BSQ SV was defined as unwanted sex/sexual activities/rape or assault since the age of 16. Total 8.3 21.5
Elliott, Mok and Briere (2004), N = 941 Research article Since 18+ (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as having sexual contacts (e.g., touching genitals, buttocks, breasts, or oral, anal, or vaginal penetration) with someone (since age 18) because they were being threatened or physically forced. Total 3.8 22
Fiebert and Osburn (2001), N = 452 Research article Lifetime prevalence (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts through the use of coercion (insistence, threats of force, use of force). Types of sexual acts ranged from forced kissing and sexual touching to oral/anal and vaginal sex. Total NT NT
Hartwick et al. (2007), N = 499 Research article Lifetime prevalence (CAN) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts through the use of coercion or threats to use physical force. Types of sexual acts included coerced/forced kissing and fondling, intercourse, and oral sex. Total 38.8 47.9
Krahé and Berger (2013), N = 2,149 Research article Since age of consent (GR) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts (sexual touch, attempted/completed intercourse, other sexual acts [e.g., oral sex]) since age 14, through the use or threat of physical force, exploitation of the victim’s inability to resist, or verbal pressure. Total 19.4 35.9
Krahé et al. (2015), N = 3,480 Research article Since age of consent (EU) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts (sexual touch, attempted/completed intercourse, other sexual acts [e.g., oral sex]) through the use or threat of physical force, exploitation of the victim’s inability to resist, or verbal pressure since age of consent. AustriaBelgiumCyprusGreeceLithuaniaNetherlandsPolandPortugalSlovakiaSpainOverall 19.910.149.055.833.315.235.428.629.221.927.1 /20.431.745.519.752.230.124.235.830.832.2
Krebs, Lindquist, Warner, Fisher, and Martin (2007), N = 6,921 Report College students (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as nonconsensual sexual acts involving verbal or physical coercion or exploitation of the incapacitated state of the victim. Both attempted and completed forms were included. Sexual acts included sexual touching and oral, vaginal, or anal penetration. Before collegeSince college 3.96.1 15.919
Melkonian, Ham, Bridges, and Fugitt (2017), N = 225 Research article Since age of consent (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as unwanted sexual contact as a result of force or coercion, since age 14. Total 14 31
Munoz-Rivas, Grana, O’Leary, and Gonzalez (2009), N = 4,052 Research article Lifetime prevalence (ES) Narrow Non-BSQ SV was defined as aggression (oral, anal, and vaginal sex) in dating relationships, through negotiation, verbal/psychological aggression, taking advantage of the incapacitated state, threat of force, or physical force. Total 21.1 25.1
Romito and Grassi (2007), N = 502 Research article Lifetime prevalence (IT) Narrow / Participants were asked whether, outside the couple relationship, they ever experienced psychological, physical, and/or SV. SV included rape, attempted rape, being fondled without consent, or being forced to touch another person. Total 10.5 19.9
Schuster et al. (2016), N = 1,593 Research article Since age of consent (TR) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts (sexual touch, attempted/completed intercourse, other sexual acts [e.g., oral sex]) through the use or threat of physical force, exploitation of the victim’s inability to resist, or verbal pressure since the age of 15. Total 65.5 77.6
Struckman-Johnson et al. (2003), N = 656 Research article Since age of consent (US) Narrow Non-BSQ SV was defined in terms of postrefusal sexual persistence. That is pursuing sexual contact (genital touching, oral sex, or intercourse) with a person (always the opposite sex from the participant) after he or she has refused an initial advance since age 16. Total 57.8 78.2
Tyler, Schmitz and Adams (2017), N = 704 Research article Past 12 months or less (US) Narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts (fondle, kiss, sexually touch, oral/anal and vaginal sex, both attampted and completed forms, and penetration with finger or objects) when indicated it was unwanted, through the use of pressure, physical force, or when incapacitated by drugs or alcohol, among college students. Total NT NT
Ybarra, Espelage, Langhinrichsen-Rohling, Korchmaros and Boyd (2016), N = 1,058 Research article Lifetime prevalence (US) Narrow BSQ SV included forced kissing, touching, attempted/completed sex while knowing their partner didn’t want to. Intimate partner violence 8.3 13.6
Basile, Chen, Black and Saltzman (2007), N = 9,684 Research article Lifetime prevalence and past 12 months or less(US) Very narrow and narrow Non-BSQ and BSQ SV was defined as forced sex (any type of vaginal, oral, or anal penetration or intercourse) in situations against your will, including situations where the respondent was not able to give consent due to their age, drugs, alcohol, sleep, or mental disability. Lifetime: Sexual penetration12 months: Any sexual activity 2.10.9 10.62.5
Bajos and Bozon (2008), N = 12,364 Research article Lifetime prevalence(FR) Very narrow BSQ Respondents were asked if during their lifetime they have ever experienced someone forcing them or trying to force them to have sexual intercourse. Sexual intercourse 5 16
Breiding, Black, and Ryan (2008), N = 70,156 Research article Lifetime prevalence (US) Very narrow BSQ SV was defined as “putting anything into your vagina (if female), anus or mouth, or making you do these things” without their consent (i.e., the respondent was unable to give consent, said or showed they didn’t want to, after threats or punishment after the respondent refused). Sexual penetration 1.5 10.2
Chan et al. (2008), N = 16,000 Research article Past 12 months or less (worldwide) Very narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts (oral, anal, and vaginal sex) with dating partner through insistance and threats or use of physical force in the past year. Sexual coercion in dating relationship

  1. North AmericaCanadaUS

  2. EuropeBelgiumGermanyGreeceLithuaniaNetherlandsPortugalRussiaSwedenSwitzerlandUnited Kingdom

 27.934.0
9.744.359.517.98.829.219.721.321.321.0		 28.630.6
11.839.642.022.09.222.130.814.829.824.8
Doroszewicz and Forbes (2008), N = 201 Research article Past 12 months or less (PL) Very narrow BSQ SV was defined as nonconsensual sexual activities (oral, anal, and vaginal sex) in the past 12 months. The minor category included coercive acts (insisting on sexual activity) that do not involve physical force or the threat of force. The severe category included coercive acts using threats or direct physical force (hitting, holding down, or using a weapon). Total

  1. The minor category

  2. The severe category

 39.638.65.9 58.057.011.0
Hines (2007), N = 7,677 Research article Past 12 months or less (worldwide) Very narrow BSQ SV was defined as sexual acts with a dating partner through use of verbal coercion (i.e., partner insisted on or used threats to obtain oral, anal, or vaginal sex) or physical force (i.e., partner physically forced oral, anal, or vaginal sex). Sexual penetration NT NT
Marsil and McNamara (2016), N = 1,648 Research article Lifetime and college students (US) Very narrow Non-BSQ and BSQ SV was defined as rape since being enrolled in college. A distinction was made between self-identification and legal identification as a rape victim. Since collegeLifetime 5.24.3 11.119.7
Tjaden and Thoennes (2000), N = 16,000 Research article Lifetime prevalence (US) Very narrow BSQ SV was defined as rape (i.e., penetration of victim’s vagina or anus by penis, tongue, fingers, or object, or the victims mouth by penis). The definition included both completed and attempted rape. Sexual penetration 0.2 4.5

Note. NT = no total rate provided; BSQ = behaviorally specific question.

yThe bold-faced numbers indicate the age categories used in the study.