Rates Of Victimization Research Articles

Rates of Male and Female Physical Victimization and Perpetration in Intimate Relationships: A Comprehensive Review

This review updates the rates of male and female victimization and perpetration in intimate relationships, building on the comprehensive reviews conducted by Desmarais et al. (2012a,b) over a decade ago. Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a serious social, public health, and criminological issue in many countries worldwide. Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022 has exacerbated the matter further. Using a methodology similar to the 2012 reviews, this review reexamined the prevalence of male and female physical IPV in industrialized, English-speaking countries over the past 10 years. We also investigated whether study characteristics affected prevalence rates. In addition, our review compared IPV rates from 2000 to 2010 (Desmarais et al., 2012a, b) with those from 2011 to 2022 (this review). Literature searches were extended to nine databases, including PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Academic Search Premier. We included 246 articles reporting 517 rates of physical IPV victimization and/or perpetration. Most studies were conducted in the United States (n= 162, 65.9%) and used a Conflict Tactics Scale-based measurement tool (n= 158, 64.2%). Across studies, approximately one in seven women (14.6%) and one in eight men (11.8%) experienced IPV victimization, with an overall prevalence of 13.9%. While the gender gap in victimization between men and women has narrowed slightly over time (from 3.8 percentage points to 3.0 percentage points), there has been a remarkable 38% decrease in victimization rates compared with those found in the study by Desmarais et al. (2012a), which were 23.1% for women and 19.3% for men, with an overall pooled prevalence estimate of 22.4%. Conversely, we found that approximately one in six women (17.5%) and one in nine men (10.6%) had perpetrated physical IPV, with an overall prevalence of 12.9%. Consistent with previous reviews, pooled prevalence was slightly greater for female- compared with male-perpetrated physical IPV. The gender gap in IPV perpetration has narrowed slightly from 6.7 percentage points in the study by Desmarais et al. (2012b) to 4.9 percentage points in the current review. Additionally, there has been a substantial 48% decline in perpetration rates, including a 51% decline for men and a 45% decline for women, compared with the results of Desmarais et al. (2012b), which reported 28.3% for women and 21.6% for men, with an overall pooled prevalence estimate of 24.8%. Our findings indicate a notable improvement in addressing IPV in industrialized, English-speaking countries over the past 10 years, which is consistent with other studies. However, there remains a continuing need to address and prevent IPV using evidence-informed approaches that support all perpetrators and victims, regardless of gender.

Victimization of Sexual and Gender Minorities: A Narrative Review of Prevalence Rates, Adverse Outcomes, Protective Factors, and Suggestions for Future Research.

Victimization is a common but unfortunate reality, with sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals at an increased risk of various forms of victimization compared with the heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. This disproportionate victimization of SGMs increases the likelihood that these individuals will experience adverse mental, physical, and educational outcomes. Some scholars have explored potential protective factors, specific to SGMs, that may be associated with a decreased risk of victimization and/or subsequent adverse outcomes. The present article provides readers with a narrative review of the relevant literature on these topics by examining prevalence rates of SGM victimization, common adverse consequences experienced by SGMs, and empirically examined protective factors for SGMs that show some evidence of effectiveness. The article ends with a discussion of suggestions for future research.

Estimates of disclosure and victimization rates for fishery observers in the maritime workplace

Seafarers working in remote ports and onboard fishing vessels often face isolated, high-risk environments, making them vulnerable to sexual harassment, intimidation, and assault. In the United States and other countries, scientists, called fishery observers, are required by the government to be deployed alongside fishing crews for extended periods to collect essential fisheries data and report potential fishing regulation violations they witness. Although many fishery observers who experience harassment submit official report statements, the true prevalence of the problem is unknown due to nondisclosure. This study uses anonymous responses from annual surveys distributed to North Pacific groundfish and halibut fishery observers to understand barriers to disclosure and estimate disclosure rates. By adjusting the annual counts of observers who submitted official harassment statements with these estimated disclosure rates, we provide the first estimates of the true number of victimized observers (prevalence) each year in a federal fisheries monitoring program in the United States. Model selection suggested that disclosure was influenced by the type of harassment experienced and not by observer demographics or employment year. Estimated disclosure rates (victimized observers who reported annually via official statement) were lowest for sexual harassment (0.18; 95% CI 0.11-0.29); higher for intimidation, coercion and hostile work environments (0.37; 95% CI 0.28-0.47); and highest for assault (0.57; 95% CI 0.41-0.73). Overall, 45% (95% CI 39-51%) of observers who experienced victimization disclosed harassment in a given year. We estimate that 22-38% of observers were victimized annually during the 2016-2022 study period, with rates of 24-60% for females and 12-24% for males. Victimization rates computed from raw survey summary statistics suffer from self-selection bias while rates derived solely from submission of official statements suffer from bias in underreporting. Supplementing official statements with estimates of disclosure rates from anonymous survey data provides a means of mitigating for these two forms of biases to obtain estimates of victimization untangled from fluctuations in reporting tendencies. When disclosure and victimization are teased apart, the effectiveness of risk reduction strategies can be better assessed over time.

Knowledge and Awareness About the Basics of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation in the Saudi Population.

Introduction According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally, accounting for approximately 17 million deaths annually, with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) as a significant contributor to this alarming statistic. SCA, the abrupt loss of heart function, is a critical medical emergency that requires early recognition and immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)for the effective resuscitation of victims.Various studies have shown a low level of knowledge regarding CPR in the community.This study aims to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of CPR among the Saudi population, identify gaps, and propose targeted health interventions, including education campaigns and training programs, to enhance community preparedness in emergencies and improve survival rates for SCA victims. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was conducted from May 2023 to November 2023. The study population included citizens and residents aged 18 years and older from the Central, Eastern, and Western regions of Saudi Arabia to ensure a diverse range of cultural and social backgrounds, with a sample size of 4,932 participants. Data were collected using an online, validated, closed-ended, structured questionnaire distributed via social media platforms, specifically WhatsApp and Telegram. Statistical analysis was performed using R version 4.3 (R Foundation for Statistical Computing, Vienna, Austria). Counts and percentages were used to summarize categorical variables. The chi-square test of independence was used to assess associations between categorical variables. The unpaired t-test and Mann-Whitney test were used to compare continuous normal and non-normal variables. Results A total of 4932 respondents completed the questionnaire. The gender distribution was predominantly female (76.5%, n = 3775), compared to 23.5% (n = 1157) males. The age distribution was skewed towardthe younger population, with 59.1% (n = 2914) aged between 18 and 30 years. The educational level was predominantly university-level (68.8%, n = 3391). The academic specialization was diverse, with the largest group being healthcare practitioners (47.1%, n = 1615). The study found that 44.7% (n = 2203) of respondents had received basic life support (BLS) or first aid training, while 55.3% (n = 2729) had not. Results suggest a trend toward higher knowledge levels. The average knowledge score among the respondents was 7.17 ± 2.37, indicating that respondents answered slightly more than half of the questions correctly. The minimum score in the dataset was 1, suggesting that nearly all respondents had some level of correct answers. The maximum score achieved is 13, indicating the presence of individuals with a comprehensive understanding of the assessed topic. However, there is still room for improvement in knowledge and emergency preparedness among the surveyed group. Conclusion The study found a relatively high level of knowledge and awareness regarding CPR effectiveness, with higher levels observed among individuals with advanced education and health-related academic backgrounds. Additionally, completion of BLS or first aid training was positively correlated with increased CPR knowledge. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating CPR training into educational curricula and public health programs to enhance awareness and improve bystander response and survival rates in out-of-hospital cardiac arrests.

Victimisation in other- and self-directed violence as a function of ethnicity and primary diagnosis among inpatients with serious mental illness.

Among individuals with serious mental illness (SMI), victimisation has been found to increase the risk of engaging in other- and self-directed violence. However, rates of victimisation within this population have been found to vary by ethnic group and primary diagnosis. This study primarily aimed to examine the relationship between victimisation and other- and self-directed violence among a sample of inpatients with SMI during the first 3 months of admission. The role of ethnicity and primary diagnosis were also explored. This cross-sectional study utilised data from South London and Maudsley's (SLaM) anonymised database. Participants (n = 7,265) were aged over 18 upon admission, of White British, Black African, Black Caribbean or Asian ethnicity and had a primary diagnosis of major mood disorder, mania or psychosis. Among a sample of inpatients with SMI, victimisation increased the risk of other-directed violence but not self-directed violence. While Black African ethnicity was associated with an increased risk of other-directed violence, all minority ethnic groups had a decreased risk of self-directed violence compared to White British ethnicity. Those with a primary diagnosis of mania or psychosis were observed to be at increased risk of other-directed violence and decreased risk of self-directed violence compared to those with a major mood disorder. Inpatients with SMI who have experienced victimisation are at an increased risk of engaging in other-directed violence during the first 3 months of admission.

Sociodemographic factors associated with dental students knowledge and attitudes regarding disinfection as a control measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19

Despite maintaining a lower mortality rate and greater control of victims infected by COVID-19, the world’s population and science are still confronted with this coronavirus. Therefore, the aim was to assess the association between sociodemographic factors and the level of knowledge and attitudes of dental students regarding disinfection as a control measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. This cross-sectional study evaluated 503 dental students from the capital city and one Peruvian province between February and June 2022. A validated 13-item questionnaire was used. A Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to evaluate the influence of the variables sex, age, year of study, marital status, place of origin, death of a family member due to COVID-19, and history of COVID-19, with the level of knowledge and attitudes of the dental students, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Of the total participants, 14.3% showed sufficient knowledge, and 89.3% showed positive attitudes regarding disinfection as a control measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Furthermore, those from the capital city were 52% less likely to have sufficient knowledge regarding disinfection as a control measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19, compared to those from the province (APR = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.31–0.75). Moreover, none of the variables considered in this study were significantly associated with attitudes toward this topic (p > 0.05). A minority of dental students presented sufficient knowledge, while the majority presented positive attitudes regarding disinfection as a control measure to reduce the spread of COVID-19. In addition, being from the capital city was a limiting factor for sufficient knowledge. The variables sex, age, year of study, marital status, place of origin, death of a family member due to COVID-19, and history of COVID-19 were not influential factors for positive attitudes on this topic.

Providing Medical Care to Patients with Abdominal Injuries at the Prehospital Stage in Moscow

Introduction. The prevalence of injuries seems to be a modern challenge. For many decades, injuries have been the main cause of unnatural death and disability among the working population. These trends are especially pronounced in big cities. Nowadays, injuries are characterized by multiple and combined natureы, as well as high severity.Purpose. To analyze the features of abdominal injuries, to identify the correlation between the time of medical evacuation from the accident scene to a specialized hospital department and the outcomes in order to improve the treatment results.Methods and materials. Upon the data obtained from Moscow Emergency Medical Care Station, a selective retrospective analysis of 5,692 cases of abdominal injuries in Moscow for the period from January 1, 2020, to January 1, 2023 was carried out. To process and display the results, a statistical analysis using graphical methods (bar charts, histograms, range charts), the Kruskal-Wallis rank test and chi-square test was performed.Results. Among the total number of victims with severe injuries, abdominal trauma occurs in 20% of cases. The overall mortality rate of victims with abdominal injuries with isolated injury ranges 8–10%, reaching 60% in combined injury cases. The structure of the organization and the strategy for providing medical care to trauma victims in Moscow are aimed at implementing measures for timely hospitalization of patients and reducing mortality rates.

Exploring risk and protective factors of intimate partner violence in Korean young adults

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is most prevalent in young adults, yet scarce evidence is available regarding South Korean young adults’ experience of IPV and culturally tailored IPV prevention programs. To address this gap, this study aimed to holistically assess IPV victimization and perpetration rates and the related risk and protective factors among Korean young adults. Using online survey data from 600 Korean young adults using simple random sampling, this study found that the lifetime prevalence of both IPV victimization and perpetration was about 30%. Both IPV victimization and perpetration had affected over 20% in the past 12 months. Independent variables in multiple logistic regression models explained 18% and 23% of variances in lifetime IPV victimization and perpetration, respectively. Korean young adults who reported more depressive symptoms were more likely to report IPV victimization. Those who reported more alcohol consumption, traditional attitudes about gender roles, being more tolerant of IPV, and poorer physical health status were also more likely to commit IPV. However, those who had experienced family neglect were less likely to report IPV perpetration. The findings of this study highlighted that childhood adverse experiences minimally explained IPV and that alcohol consumption, mental health, and attitudinal variables should be targets of IPV prevention among Korean young adults.

LGBTQIA+ Identity-Related Concerns of Sexual Assault Survivors Who Access an Anonymous Online Hotline.

LGBTQIA+ individuals experience higher rates of sexual violence victimization than their heterosexual, cisgender counterparts. Emerging research suggests unique barriers to disclosure and help-seeking in the aftermath of sexual assault, but relatively little work has examined LGBTQIA+ identity-related concerns discussed in a help-seeking context. This study examined anonymous, archival data, from a sample of 292 visitors to the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline. Analyses were limited to visitors who identified as the victim of a sexual violence event, disclosed they identified as LGTBQIA+, and discussed concerns related to their gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Open-ended responses from hotline staff revealed four overarching themes: (1) Identity-related blame and discrimination, (2) barriers to disclosure and/or help-seeking, (3) discussion of identity and/or behavior, and (4) When perpetrators are LGBTQIA+. Practitioners should be aware of the unique barriers LGBTQIA+ survivors face in disclosure and help-seeking and how their experiences may differ from heterosexual, cisgender survivors. Findings underscore the need for more affirming and accessible care for LGBTQIA+ survivors.

Teen dating violence and the COVID-19 pandemic: trends from a longitudinal study in Texas

PurposeTeen dating violence (TDV) is a global public health and safety issue causing health impacts to youth people. This study aimed to examine: (1) the impact of the pandemic on...

Issues Associated With the Formulation of a Small Area Model for Estimation of State-Level Crime Victimization Rates

Subnational estimation is an important and challenging problem in the context of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). Direct estimates for subnational domains are often unreliable due to small sample sizes. Model-based procedures have potential to improve upon direct estimators. However, model-based estimation presents several new challenges. One must identify suitable covariates, and an appropriate model form must be specified. This article discusses issues associated with the formulation of a small area model for production of state-level estimates of crime victimization rates. An analysis of direct estimates and covariates motivates the development of a Bayesian multivariate model. A model in the original scale is compared to a model in the log scale. Efficiency gains from the model relative to the direct estimators are examined. One challenge is that direct estimates can equal zero. Two ways of handling zero direct estimates are discussed.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among sexual minority men (SMM) during the COVID-19 pandemic: A scoping review and a call for research

There is a dearth of literature documenting the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization among sexual minority men (SMM). This review examines studies conducted since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on the experiences and changes in IPV experiences among SMM. We conducted a comprehensive search, and article screening and selection adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Only 7 studies were identified and met the eligibility, all of which utilized cross-sectional design. Studies were conducted in the U.S (n = 4), Spain (n = 1), China (n = 1), and a study using global samples (n = 1). Measurements and assessment tools for IPV victimization vary across these studies. SMM were observed to experience a relatively high rate of IPV victimization, and some reported experiencing more severe and frequent IPV victimization since the pandemic. IPV victimization was associated with multilevel factors such as younger age, substance use, mental illness, economic and structural vulnerabilities. None of the studies had examined the impact of the pandemic on help-seeking. There is a need to explore the long-term effects of the ongoing pandemic on IPV victimization among this vulnerable population. Developing safe intervention strategies and ensuring confidential access to health and supportive services are particularly urged.

Longitudinal association between adolescent sexual identity and sleep quality: The mediating roles of peer victimization and perceived social support

ObjectiveDespite growing evidence of disparities in sleep quality between sexual minoritized and heterosexual youth, the reasons for these disparities are not well understood. LGBQ+ adolescents often experience challenging peer relationships, which could negatively impact their sleep quality. The current study examined the prospective relationship between sexual minority status and sleep quality over 12months and evaluated whether peer victimization and social support at 6months mediated this relationship among adolescents. MethodsThis study involved a secondary analysis of data from a community sample of 800 adolescents (57.5% female; Mage=14.42years, SD=0.83). Data were collected using web-based surveys over 12months with three time-points: baseline, 6-, and 12-month. ResultsApproximately 19.4% of adolescents self-identified as LGBQ+. Compared to heterosexual adolescents, LGBQ+ adolescents reported poorer global sleep quality, lower perceived social support, greater peer victimization, childhood victimization, and were more likely to be female (all ps < .001). In a longitudinal, parallel mediation analysis adjusting for baseline age, gender, global sleep quality, and childhood victimization, LGBQ+ adolescents reported higher rates of peer victimization (b=0.262 [0.049], p < .001) and less social support (b=−0.385 [0.146], p = .008) at 6months compared with heterosexual peers, predicting poor global sleep quality (b=0.495 [0.191], p = .010 for peer victimization and b=−0.161 [0.068], p = .018 for social support) at 12months. ConclusionThese findings highlight that sexual minority adolescents face increased risks of peer victimization and reduced social support from peers, which contribute to poorer sleep quality. The findings may guide the development of adolescent sleep interventions that also improve social health and relationships.

Using Bayesian networks to explore differences in the relationships of factors related to mental health for LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ adolescents in a UK cohort study.

BackgroundLGBTQ+ adolescents have higher rates of mental health problems and reduced wellbeing compared to non-LGBTQ+ adolescents. We aimed to understand the possible differences in causal mechanisms behind these disparities using a representative UK cohort. MethodsThe Millennium Cohort Study (MCS) is a UK cohort study following children born in 2000–02 in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. We analysed data from this study split into LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ groups to see if and how the relationship between determinants of mental health outcomes differ for the two groups. Outcome variables were self-harm and suicide attempts from responses provided at age 17 years. The determinants included demographics, and variables describing experiences, behaviours, and social environments provided both at ages 14 and 17 years, to explore the interaction of variables between timepoints. The analysis utilised a Bayesian network (BN) approach with Directed Acyclic Graphs (DAGs) to estimate the likely direction of conditional dependencies between the variables and assess possible causal mechanisms. Hypothesis testing was performed to determine if the DAGs for the two groups were statistically significantly different. FindingsAt age 17 years, 9612 of 10 757 cohort members provided responses about their sexuality and gender identity. 2645 of 9612 were identified as LGBTQ+ and 6967 of 9612 were identified as non-LGBTQ+. Compared to the non-LGBTQ+ group, the LGBTQ+ group had higher rates for the outcome variables (42·50% vs 17·31% for self-harm, 16·07% vs 4·37% for suicide attempts), and higher rates of victimisation (68·50% vs 52·64% at age 17 years) and lower rates of high self-esteem (52·27 % vs 75·07% at age 17 years), both identified as key variables for both groups. The structures for the two groups were found to be significantly different (p<0·001), and inspection of the DAGs showed some key differences such as suicide attempts being directly dependent on substance use and peer problems for the LGBTQ+ group only. InterpretationRelationships between determinants of self-harm and suicide differ for LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ adolescents, this must be accounted for in the design of interventions and policies to reduce disparities. FundingWellcome Trust [Grant number 108903/B/15/Z].

Prevalence of Gun Carrying and Gun Violence Victimization and Perpetration Among a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Youth and Young Adults

IntroductionGuns were one of the leading cause of death in children and youth 0 to 24 years old in the US over the last decade, with large variations by gender, race, region and income. This paper examines rates of gun involvement for a group of youth and young adults in the US from ages 10-34 across major demographic and background factors. MethodsA cross-sectional nationally representative survey of participants recruited through an ongoing national research panel. Completed surveys were collected from 5,311 participants from September 2023 to January 2024. ResultsLifetime rates for carrying guns was 26.7%, gun violence victimization rates was 9.5% and gun violence perpetration rates was 3.3%. High levels of past year involvement with guns and gun violence were observed, with 13.9% carrying guns, gun violence victimization of 2.5% and gun violence perpetration of 0.9%. Even more concerning, data indicate that 7.6% of the participants reported carrying a gun before age 18, 5.2% experienced gun violence victimization, and 1.8% perpetrated gun violence. Gun carrying/violence was higher by demographics, with a statistically significant difference for all demographic subgroups on at least one gun outcome. ConclusionsHigh levels of exposure to guns and gun violence are experienced among a nationally representative population of young Americans, with rates varying considerably by demographic factors. Based on these demographic disparities in gun involvement, more work is needed to address community and other risk and protective factors across different levels of the social ecology, such as structural inequities, associated with gun violence.

Social and policy characteristics associated with injurious shootings by police in US counties: A multilevel analysis, 2015–2020

From 2015 to 2020, shootings by police injured or killed 1769 people annually in the United States, disproportionately harming members of minoritized groups. Prior studies of the structural determinants of these inequities have largely examined state-level aggregations and fatal outcomes. This study aimed to: 1) describe state and county variation in fatal and nonfatal injurious shootings by police, and 2) analyze the relationship between state and county context and differences in county rates of injurious shootings by police. Injury data were developed from manual review of incidents listed in the Gun Violence Archive, then aggregated by county-year. Covariate selection was informed by theories of police use of force and the Social Basis of Disparities in Health conceptual framework. Fixed effects negative binomial regression models were estimated, nesting years within counties and states. Analyses controlled for county population, local reporting presence, and multiple measures of social conflict and community violence. From 2015 to 2020, 56% of counties experienced injurious shootings by police. Higher county rates of victimization were associated with greater state spending on police relative to health, county income inequality, prevalence of unmet substance use disorder needs, higher county firearm availability, and permitless concealed carry statutes. Firearm purchaser licensing polices were associated with lower incidence of injurious shootings by police. To prevent patterns of injurious shootings by police, policymakers should consider addressing undermanaged substance use disorder through crisis fund allocation and use, adopting stronger firearm licensing systems, and evaluating local strategies to combat inequities and strengthen non-policing responses to social needs.

Unveiling the Gender Symmetry Debate: Exploring Consequences, Instructions, and Forms of Violence in Intimate Partner Violence.

Official statistics and data from police and judicial systems consistently show that intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide problem predominantly affecting women perpetrated by male partners. Yet, certain behavioral checklists yield similar IPV rates for both genders, sparking the gender symmetry/asymmetry debate. Some possible explanations for this discrepancy reside in (a) considering or not the consequences of violence, (b) possible inadequacies of the instructions given to participants when answering checklists, and (c) considering or not certain behaviors typically asymmetrical (e.g., economic violence). In order to test these three hypotheses, we conducted two studies in the Spanish context using the Partner Victimization Scale (PVS). In Study 1, participants (n = 449) answered a Spanish version of the PVS (with the instructions "Not including horseplay or joking around") and reported consequences of violence on their self-esteem and health. In Study 2 (n = 172), we experimentally manipulated the instructions given to participants when answering the PVS (including those of Study 1 or not) and also added some items of typically asymmetrical violence. Other measures of consequences of violence were assessed. Results of Study 1 replicated the original PVSs factor structure and showed gender asymmetry (more female than male victimization) in four of five items, and the victimization rates were related to consequences of violence, providing construct validity to this version of the scale. Results of Study 2 underlined the relevance of the instructions and of the addition of certain types of violence in the symmetry/asymmetry rates informed. Additionally, the IPV reported was associated with worse consequences for women than for men. Our findings suggest that the detection of IPV increases when the instructions are clarified, when certain items are added, and when the consequences of IPV are considered.

State-level structural sexism and adolescent sexual violence victimization in the US

BackgroundAdolescent sexual violence victimization is a significant public health issue in the United States. Structural sexism, a form of gender inequality at the societal level, may play a crucial role in influencing the prevalence of sexual violence victimization among adolescents. ObjectiveThis study aims to examine the association between state-level structural sexism and sexual violence victimization among adolescents and to explore how this relationship varies between male and female adolescents. Participants and settingData was derived from a nationally representative sample of high school students in grades 9–12 across the United States who participated in the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS) in 2017 and 2019. MethodsA state-level structural sexism index was created from nine different items to reflect the multidimensional nature of structural sexism. This study employs multi-level regression analysis to investigate the impact of state-level structural sexism on three types of sexual violence victimization: sexual violence, sexual dating violence, and physical dating violence. ResultsThis study revealed a significant interaction between structural sexism and gender. In states with higher levels of structural sexism, female adolescents reported increased likelihood of sexual violence (β = 0.013, p < .001), sexual dating violence (β = 0.006, p < .001), and physical dating violence (β = 0.006, p < .001) compared to males. Conversely, male adolescents in these states reported lower rates of victimization. ConclusionsThe results underscore the role of structural sexism in influencing sexual violence victimization among adolescents. Addressing structural sexism may be essential in mitigating the risk of sexual violence victimization, especially for female adolescents.

Assessing the Reversed Gender Gap in the Swedish Crime Survey: Reasons Why Young Women Report Higher Victimization Rates Than Young Men During the Period 2009 to 2016

Self-reported victimization among young women in the Swedish Crime Survey increased during the early- to mid-2010s, resulting in a gender gap, with young women reporting 10% to 15% higher victimization rates than young men. In this study, we use multi-group confirmatory factor analysis to assess whether the increase in victimization rates is due to declines in measurement equivalence across different cohorts of young women during the period 2009 to 2016. The results show cohort differences in how young women interpret the victimization items in the Swedish Crime Survey, especially with regard to the item about sexual victimization. The results show that the increasing victimization rates are likely the result of changes in perceptions about sexual offences, rather than an actual increase.

Exploring the impact of cyber and traditional crime victimization: Impact comparisons and explanatory factors

As cybercrime victimization rates continue to rise, our understanding of their impact, especially compared to traditional crime, remains limited. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted surveys among 910 crime victims, measuring the impact of cyber and traditional variants of property, person-centered, and sexual crime. We compared the impact of: (1) residential burglary and hacking of online bank accounts; (2) doorstep deception and bank helpdesk fraud; (3) in-person threats and online threats; and (4) sexual assault and image-based sexual abuse. Impact was categorized into peritraumatic stress, internalizing problems, externalizing problems, financial impact, and damaged self-image. Our findings reveal that cybercrime impact mostly equals or exceeds that of traditional crimes. Disparities especially emerge in terms of higher peritraumatic stress experienced by victims of cyber property crime, and more damage to self-image suffered by victims of both cyber property and cyber sexual crimes. Furthermore, we identified significant determinants of victim impact among crime characteristics, and social, personal, and demographic factors, some varying between cyber and traditional crime. Our study emphasizes the implications of the technological nature of cybercrime and the relatively active role played by cybercrime victims, while also considering the issue of victim blaming. Furthermore, we underscore the need for targeted victim support and prioritization of cybercrime.