Risk Of Sexual Violence Research Articles

Prevalence of sexual abuse and intimate partner violence in adults with spina bifida

BackgroundPeople with disabilities and chronic medical conditions are known to be at higher risk of sexual abuse (SA) and intimate partner violence (IPV). People with spina bifida (SB) are vulnerable, but little is known about the prevalence of abuse in this population. ObjectiveTo evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of SA and IPV in adults with SB. MethodsAn anonymous international cross-sectional online survey of adults with SB asked about history of SA (“sexual contact that you did not want”) and IPV (“hit, slapped, kicked, punched or hurt physically by a partner”). ResultsMedian age of the 405 participants (61% female) was 35 years. Most self-identified as heterosexual (85%) and were in a romantic relationship (66%). A total of 19% reported a history of SA (78% no SA, 3% preferred not to answer). SA was more frequently reported by women compared to men (27% vs. 5%, p < 0.001) and non-heterosexual adults compared to heterosexuals (41% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). Twelve percent reported a history of IPV (86% no IPV, 2% preferred not to answer). IPV was more frequently reported by women compared to men (14% vs. 9%, p = 0.02), non-heterosexuals compared to heterosexuals (26% vs. 10%, p = 0.002), and adults with a history of sexual activity versus those without (14% vs. 2%, p = 0.01). ConclusionPeople with SB are subjected to SA and IPV. Women and non-heterosexuals are at higher risk of both.

The point of view of children in residential and foster care on their health: A comparative study

Although it is a major issue, the health of children and adolescents in care is still mainly explored on the basis of information provided by adults in French studies. This study therefore aims to make up for the lack of studies integrating the young people’s own point of view and to explore certain aspects of health, as reported by the children and adolescents themselves, by comparing the health of children in care with that of children in the general population. The sample consists of 477 children in care (versus 23,672 who are not). The data were collected through a cross-sectional survey conducted by UNICEF France between October 2020 and March 2022 among 25,300 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 who responded to a paper or online self-administered questionnaire. The main results of this study confirm the existing findings concerning the much greater health care needs of children and adolescents placed outside their homes (foster families, children’s homes) compared to their peers. In particular, they underline greater psychological suffering linked to their life histories, health risk practices, sexual violence, and suicidal risk. The discussion addresses the complexity of the issues associated with their health and underlines the importance of taking into account the child’s own point of view.

A hybrid digital parenting programme to prevent abuse of adolescents in Tanzania: study protocol for a pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial

BackgroundEvidence-based parenting programmes have strong evidence in preventing and mitigating violence, but in-person programmes are challenging to deliver at scale. ParentApp is an open-source, offline-first app-based adaptation of the Parenting for Lifelong Health for Parents and Teens programme to promote playful and positive parenting, reduce risks for sexual violence victimisation, and prevent violence against adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ParentApp compared to an attention-control group.MethodsThis study is a two-arm pragmatic cluster-randomised controlled trial to test whether ParentApp reduces adolescent physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual violence risks and victimisation at 1 month and 12 months post-intervention. Caregivers of adolescents aged 10–17 years and their adolescent children (N = 2400 caregiver-adolescent dyads) will be recruited in urban and peri-urban communities in the Mwanza region of Tanzania. A total of 80 study clusters will be stratified and randomised (1:1) to the intervention group, who will receive ParentApp with support through a WhatsApp group, or to an attention-control group, who will receive a water, sanitation, and hygiene app. Quantitative data will be collected through outcomes questionnaires with caregivers and adolescents, administered at baseline, 4 months post-baseline, and 16 months post-baseline, as well as through routine implementation data and ParentApp engagement data. Qualitative data will be collected through individual interviews and focus groups with caregivers, adolescents, and implementing partner staff.DiscussionApp-based interventions have the potential to expand access to evidence-based parenting support, but currently lack rigorous evidence in low- and middle-income countries. This is the first known randomised control trial of a hybrid digital parenting programme to prevent the abuse of adolescents in low- and middle-income settings.Trial registrationThe trial was registered on the Open Science Framework on 14 March 2023, registration: OSF.IO/T9FXZ.

Child sexual abuse/exploitation and LGBTQI+ children: Context, links, vulnerabilities, gaps, challenges and priorities

Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is a pervasive issue affecting children globally, cutting across socio-economic, ethnic, and cultural lines. While much research has historically emphasized the victimization of girls, emerging studies highlight the vulnerability of boys and underscore the neglected intersections of CSEA with LGBTQI​+ ​statuses. LGBTQI​+ ​youth are particularly susceptible to CSEA due to societal discrimination, stigmatization, and biases stemming from socio-cultural, religious, and family contexts. Notably, transgender children and youth face exacerbated risks, marked by alarming rates of stigma, violence, and discrimination, often termed transphobia. From an examination of the academic, evidence-based literature, this discussion paper sheds light on harmful cultural practices (such as the ‘dancing boys’ of South Asia who may exhibit feminine characteristics and are frequently exposed to the risk of sexual violence); myths (surrounding homosexuality); religious doctrines (which generally approach these issues within a discourse of morality and sin); and socio-ecological factors that collectively increase the risk of CSEA for LGBTQI​+ ​children - with a focus on the developing world. Furthermore, while the socio-ecological and resilience frameworks offer promising avenues for understanding and addressing these vulnerabilities, glaring data gaps persist, especially beyond developed countries. The paper concludes with identifying the compelling need for robust research and a comprehensive understanding of how CSEA impacts LGBTQI​+ ​children worldwide, which can guide targeted interventions and support.

Introduction: Sexual Harassment and Gender-Based Violence in Political Science Fieldwork

Political scientists recently have taken great strides in addressing sexual harassment and assault in the discipline. Little has been said, however, about sexual violence that political scientists may confront during field research. Field research involves any data-collection activity that occurs away from a researcher’s home institution, including visiting a prominent archive, interviewing political elites, and conducting direct observation of political phenomenon, and fieldwork is widely considered essential to data collection and career development across political science subfields. Field researchers may experience numerous power disparities that put them at acute risk for sexual or gender-based violence in the field, and evidence suggests that such experiences are pervasive and professionally devastating. In an effort to reduce gender-based violence and discrimination across academic worksites, several disciplines and institutions have developed specific guidelines and protocols to prevent and address sexual harassment and assault during fieldwork (Berkeley PATH to Care Center 2020; University of California, Riverside 2018; University of Toronto, Department of Anthropology 2019; Woodgate et al. 2018). Political scientists, however, have largely failed to conceptualize field placements as work settings or to address gender-based violence during fieldwork in our curriculum, training, and policies. Instead, they rely on deeply held methodological fallacies that insist on a field researcher’s absolute privilege, trivialize experiences of sexual violence, and weaponize rape myths to portray survivors as professionally incompetent (Hunt 2022).

Factors associated with sexual violence against reproductive-age women in Ghana: A multilevel mixed-effects analysis.

Sexual violence against women is a pervasive public health challenge and human rights violation, with global prevalence rates of approximately one in three women affected, notably prevalent in African countries. Understanding its multifaceted determinants is crucial for developing targeted intervention strategies. Thus, this study aimed to investigate factors associated with sexual violence against reproductive-age ever-married women in Ghana. A weighted sample of 3,816 reproductive-age ever-married women from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) was included. To accommodate the hierarchical nature of the DHS data and the binary outcome variable 'sexual violence', a multilevel mixed-effect logistic regression model was employed. The deviance value was utilized for selecting the best-fitted model. In the multivariable multilevel binary logistic regression analysis, adjusted odds ratios (AORs) along with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were utilized to gauge the association strength, with statistical significance set at a p-value < 0.05. The prevalence of sexual violence was found to be 8.80% (95% CI: 7.94-9.74). Factors positively associated with sexual violence included women's decision-making autonomy (AOR = 1.39, 95% CI: 1.08-1.74), husband/partner's alcohol consumption (AOR = 3.88, 95% CI: 2.98-5.06), sex of household head (AOR = 1.31, 95% CI: 1.02-1.68), and justification of beating (AOR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.01-1.81). Conversely, women's age showed a negative association with sexual violence (AOR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.98). In conclusion, prioritizing initiatives that empower women in decision-making roles, provide support for those struggling with alcohol consumption, and raise awareness about its impact on interpersonal relationships and the risk of sexual violence is essential. Furthermore, addressing harmful gender norms, particularly those justifying violence, and considering demographic characteristics are vital components of comprehensive strategies to prevent and mitigate sexual violence.

Is sexual autonomy a protective factor against intimate partner violence? Evidence from 27 sub-Saharan African countries.

Though women in sub-Saharan Africa have increased risk of intimate sexual violence, research on the association between sexual autonomy and intimate partner violence among this population has not received the requisite attention. Consequently, we investigated if sexual autonomy is a protective factor against intimate partner violence among women in sub-Saharan Africa. Secondary data analysis was conducted based on the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) of 27 sub-Saharan African countries from 2008 to 2021. A total of 104,523 married or cohabitating women were included in the study. We applied a multilevel Poisson regression model with robust variance to identify associated factors. Variables with a p-value<0.2 in the bi-variable multilevel Poisson regression analysis were considered for the multivariable analysis. The Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) was reported, and variables with a p-value <0.05 were included in the multivariable analysis. The prevalence of intimate partner violence and sexual autonomy among women in SSA were 32.96% [95% CI: 32.68%, 33.25%] and 88.79% [95% CI: 88.59%, 88.97%], respectively. Women in Sierra Leone had the highest prevalence of IPV (52.71%) while Comoros had the lowest prevalence of IPV (8.09%). The prevalence of sexual autonomy was highest in Namibia (99.22%) and lowest in Mali (61.83%). The MOR value in the null model was 1.26. We found that women who had sexual autonomy are 1.28 times [APR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.40] more likely to experience IPV than women who had no sexual autonomy. This study has demonstrated that sexual autonomy is significantly associated with intimate partner violence, however, it does not necessarily act as a protective factor. The study suggests the need for more education on intimate partner violence targeting women's partners. This can help secure the commitment of the perpetrators to rather become proponents of anti-intimate partner violence and further offer women the necessary support for them to attain their full fundamental rights in all spheres of life.

Impact of a Student-Designed Videogame on Students’ Perceptions of Sexual Genre-Based Violence Risks

The study aimed to assess the impact of a student-created videogame on university students’ perceptions of the risk of sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) against women. It was based on two research questions: (1) to what extent the game ‘Un día a la vez’ (UDALV) impacts students’ perceptions of SGBV? (2) How do students perceive the game’s efficiency to change their perception of SGBV? This mixed study included the qualitative analysis of the game and, quantitative and qualitative techniques to assess and understand its impact on students’ perception. The sample consisted of 51 students aged between 17 and 24. The game showed easygoing narrative and mechanics with varied dynamics. Quantitative results indicated a positive effect of UDALV on all students’ perceptions of the risks of SGBV with a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest for the overall sample: t (50) = 9.050 (p = .000; d = .497). However, no differences were observed for the impact between males and females: t (47) = .581 (p = .564; d = .167). The interviews indicated that students find the game effective. In the context of this research, the results seem to be beneficial for gender-equity education programs addressed to young people. Keywords: serious games; university students; higher education; gender-equity education; students’ perception

Sexual violence and associated factors among female large-scale industry workers in Bahir Dar city administration, Amhara region, Ethiopia.

sexual violence is currently a serious public health problem affecting women´s health. Globally, 1 in 3 women faces sexual violence in their lifetime. Female industry workers are at an increased risk of sexual violence. Assessing the magnitude and factors associated with sexual violence among female industrial workers is important for interventions. The objective was to assess the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence among female large-scale industries workers in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, 2021. institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 807 female industry workers from September to October 2021. Participants were selected by systematic random sampling. The data were collected by a structured questionnaire. Data entry and analysis were done by Epi data v.3.1 and SPSS v.23, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was done to identify factors. Adjusted odds ratios were computed at 95%CI. A P-value below 0.05 was used to declare association. the prevalence of sexual violence were 59.4% (95% CI; 56.0%-62.6%). The significantly associated factors include; age less than twenty-five (AOR=4.01, 95%CI; 2.81, 10.83), never-married women (AOR=3.07, 95%CI; 1.11, 8.46), being secondary education (AOR=2.65, 95%CI; 1.51, 4.66), being contract employee (AOR=4.65, 95%CI; 1.92, 11.22), drinking alcohol (AOR=3.01, 95%CI; 1.49, 6.09), and night work shift (AOR=9.01, 95%CI; 4.53, 17.93). high rate (59.4%) of sexual violence was reported. Age, marital status, educational status, contract type of work agreement, drinking alcohol, and working night work shift were risk factors. Hence, emphasis on creating safe working environment & transportation, education on reproductive rights and reporting of sexual violence.

Program Respon untuk Meminimalisir Kekerasan (Seksual) Pada Lokasi Pengungsian Merapi Di Kabupaten Sleman

This research aims to study Sleman Regency Gender’s Response Program best practice on how they can decrease the (sexual) violence risk to the vulnerable group in the disaster camps. The policy started by involving the Office of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (DP3AP2KB) into the Disaster Command System Management led by Regional Agency for Disaster Management (BPBD) Sleman under the law: Keputusan Bupati Sleman Nomor 17 tahun 2020 tentang Renkontijensi Bencana Gunung Api Merapi. This research uses qualitative descriptive with case study method refer to Sleman practices. Data collecting from literature studies, observation and indepth interview to informans related. The efforts taken by Sleman Regency, succeed in reducing complains and eliminate bad news about (sexual) violence to the vulnerable in disaster camps. Best practice from Sleman regency hopefully can be an inspiration for a conceptual framework for another region in decreasing vulnerable threat and risk for all disaster kind.

Analysis of the Relationship Between Sexual Violence and Assertive Behavior in Young Spanish Adults

Abstract Introduction Research on sexual violence is of particular importance because of the prevalence and consequences of such violence in the young adult population. The identification of possible protective factors may be one step towards helping ameliorate this problem. We therefore analyzed the relationship between sexual violence and assertive behaviors in a population of young adults. Method A cross-sectional, correlational study. Data were collected between February 7, 2022, and August 9, 2022, in a population of young adults from Spanish universities. The sample consisted of 473 young adults between 19 and 24 years of age. Results The prevalence of violence perpetrated and experienced in the sample was high. Men reported a higher level of violence perpetration than women. Relationships are indicated between different types of assertive behaviors and sexual violence. In this regard, a higher degree of assertive behavior as a response is a protective factor against experiencing sexual violence in both sexes, while non-assertive behavior is a risk factor. In the case of sexual violence perpetration, overly assertive behavior is a risk factor. Conclusions A number of assertive behaviors were identified that may be considered risk or protective factors for sexual violence. Policy Implications Research enables the development of targeted, evidence-based intervention programs that can lead to a reduction in sexual violence in the young adult population.

‘“She Tells Me I'm Pushy” is More Likely than the Man Directly Admitting to Being Pushy’: Practitioners’ Views on Screening and Assessing Risk of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

Domestic and family violence (DFV) and sexual violence intersect, with sexual violence often perpetrated by an intimate partner alongside other forms of DFV. While DFV perpetrator interventions are commonly used in response to DFV perpetration, scant research has considered how these interventions identify and address sexual violence, including intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). Drawing on the findings from an Australian study which involved a survey of 97 practitioners, this paper explores screening and risk assessment of IPSV within the DFV perpetrator intervention context. The research findings demonstrate limited screening and risk assessment of IPSV, particularly when compared to other forms of DFV. This demonstrates a clear need for focused attention on IPSV as part of broader efforts to hold perpetrators accountable for all forms of DFV.

Childhood and adolescent factors shaping vulnerability to underage entry into sex work: a quantitative hierarchical analysis of female sex workers in Nairobi, Kenya

ObjectiveTo explore factors associated with early age at entry into sex work, among a cohort of female sex workers (FSWs) in Nairobi, Kenya.BackgroundYounger age at sex work initiation increases the...

Enhancing Campus Safety: Exploring Student Perspectives on a Text Message-Delivered Intervention for Addressing Sexual Violence and Alcohol Use.

Alcohol-related sexual violence, including sexual coercion, nonconsensual contact, and rape, is prevalent on college campuses. The purpose of the study was to investigate college students' feedback and recommendations regarding content for a text-message-delivered harm reduction intervention to jointly address alcohol use and alcohol's role in sexual violence risk. This qualitative thematic study used focus groups and individual interviews to collect feedback from 61 college students between February 2019 and July 2020. Targeted recruitment resulted in a sample that was nearly half queer/ lesbian, gay, bisexual (46.2%) or trans* (9.8%) identified students. Participants endorsed text messaging as an effective way to reach college students but diverged in specific content they felt was relevant and appropriate for a universal education intervention. Students preferred content describing individual strategies versus those requiring collaboration from friends or potential sex partners. Students also preferred content phrased as suggestions or questions versus declarative statements. Although most participants recognized the value of content related to consent, sexual violence, sexual health, and resources, a few male-identifying participants failed to recognize that content as important to their experience. Maintaining brevity while discussing consent in the overlapping settings of drinking and interpersonal relationships was described as a particular challenge. Students in our sample highlighted the challenges of sharing sexual violence and alcohol-related harm reduction text messaging because of the complexities of rape culture, consent, and interpersonal dynamics during college student drinking events.

Inadequate WASH access and risk for non-partner sexual violence in low- and middle-income countries

Abstract Background Globally, 6% of women and girls have ever experienced non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) at least once in their lifetime. Prior literature suggests that inadequate access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities can exacerbate the vulnerability to NPSV against women and girls, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Nevertheless, quantitative evidence on the association between NPSV and inadequate WASH access is still limited. Methods Demographic and Health Surveys from 27 LMICs were used for the analysis of 237,324 women aged 15-49 years. Experience of NPSV was defined as an event within 12 months preceding the survey. Explanatory variables included type of sources for drinking water (private, public, and open source) and toilet facilities (private, shared, and open type). Multivariable three-level random effects logistic regressions were conducted. Results Overall, 6.6% of women were getting water from open sources such as river and 19.9% were openly defecating. 0.5% of the study sample had recent experience of NPSV. After adjusting for demographic and socioeconomic covariates, having to use public or open source for drinking water was associated with 26% and 37% greater likelihood of experiencing NPSV, respectively (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.51 for public; OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.01-1.84). Using shared toilets and practicing open defecation were also associated with 16% and 39% greater risk for NPSV (OR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.00-1.34 for shared; OR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.16-1.68 for open). Conclusions To prevent the victimization of women with disadvantaged WASH infrastructures and achieve Target 5 from the Sustainable Development Goals, which envisions to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls by 2030, it is essential to secure private water sources and toilet facilities via multinational official development assistance as well as country-level policies alongside with ensuring gender equality. Key messages • One out of 200 women in low- and middle-income countries has experienced non-partner sexual violence within a year. • Risk for such non-partner sexual violence was positively associated with inadequate access to water and sanitation facilities, particularly in low-resource settings.

Qualitative Analysis of Bystander Intervention Among Young Adult Male Soldiers Who Engage in At-Risk Drinking.

Bystander intervention-when someone intervenes to help in situations that pose a risk for harm-is a promising strategy for sexual violence prevention. In the current study, a sample of U.S. Army male soldiers (N = 10; ages 18-24) who engaged in at-risk drinking completed a 90-min individual semi-structured interview to understand the ways in which soldiers intervene to address risk for sexual violence. Two independent raters coded soldier responses using thematic analysis and identified eight main themes: (a) recognizing risk for sexual violence; (b) labeling situations as problematic and taking responsibility; (c) facilitators of intervention; (d) barriers to intervention; (e) intervention strategies; (f) reactions and consequences to intervention; (g) alcohol's influence on intervention; and (h) using bystander intervention to shift cultural norms. As soldiers reported noticing more extreme risks for violence, prevention interventions may help service members identify situations earlier in the continuum of harm. Soldiers anticipated intervening in a way that was physical and aggressive, which could facilitate physical altercation and result in collateral misconduct. Results from the present study reveal ways that bystander intervention programs for civilians can be tailored to address the unique individual, situational, and contextual factors relevant to the military. These findings also highlight the importance of teaching soldiers indirect and nonaggressive strategies for intervention.

Exploring the effect of early menarche on sexual violence among adolescent girls and young women in southeastern Ghana: a longitudinal mediation analysis

Research from several high-income countries links early menarche with an increased risk for sexual violence. However, the role of early menarche in adolescent girls’ and young women’s sexual violence risk in sub-Saharan Africa, where sexual violence rates are high, is not well understood. The current study explores the association between early menarche and sexual violence in Ghana with secondary analysis of data collected from 700 adolescent girls and young women followed over three years. Logistic regressions were used to assess the cross-sectional association between early menarche and sexual violence. Generalised estimating equations were used to assess whether the association between early menarche and sexual violence persisted over time. Inverse odds weighting was used to test potential mediators of the association between early menarche and sexual violence. Sexual violence was fairly common in the study sample, with 27% reporting having experienced sexual violence at baseline, and approximately 50% at year three. Early menarche was associated with 72% greater odds of having experienced sexual violence at baseline (95% confidence interval: 1.01–2.93). However, the odds ratio attenuated and lost significance over the three-year study period, with a lower risk of sexual violence among girls with early menarche at year three. Neither child marriage nor early sexual initiation significantly mediated the association between early menarche and sexual violence. The findings suggest that early-maturing girls may be particularly vulnerable to sexual violence in early adolescence, thus necessitating prevention interventions around the time of menarche to reduce the risk for sexual violence.

From trauma to transmission: exploring the intersection of adversity, substance use, and HIV risk in women’s life histories

BackgroundAt increased risk for poor health outcomes, physical and/or sexual violence, and onward transmission of HIV, women who use drugs and are living with HIV (WWUDHIV) are vulnerable and in need of services. Understanding the role of trauma across their life history may offer insights into HIV and drug use prevention and opportunities for intervention. We explored trauma and drug use among WWUDHIV in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.MethodsWe conducted in-depth interviews with 30 WWUDHIV from January-March 2019. Interviewers used semi-structured interview guides and asked questions about the life history as related to drug use. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, translated, coded, and life histories charted. We utilized content analysis.ResultsParticipants described death of family members as traumatic catalysts for drug use. Sexual partners early in their life history were often the point of introduction to drugs and source of HIV acquisition. Death of partners was present across many life histories and was a traumatic event negatively influencing life trajectories, including start of sex work for survival or to support drug use. Sex work in-turn often led to traumatic events including sexual and/or physical violence. HIV diagnosis for many participants followed the start of drug use, frequently occurred during pregnancy or severe illness and was described by most participants as a trauma. Despite this, particularly during pregnancy, HIV diagnosis was a turning point for some participant’s desire to engage in drug use treatment. Traumatic events were often cumulative and regularly described as catalysts for poor mental health that could lead to new or increased drug use for coping.ConclusionsThese findings suggest trauma is common in the life history of WWUDHIV and has negative impacts on drug use and HIV vulnerability. Our life history charting highlights the cumulative and cyclical nature of trauma and drug use in this population. This study allows for better understanding of trauma, drug use, and HIV prevention, which offers opportunities for intervention among a group with limited access to services: during adolescence for orphaned youth, following the death of a child or partner, and when vulnerable women engage with the health system (HIV diagnosis, pregnancy, illness).

A scoping review of sexual and reproductive health recommendations in the context of migration to Europe.

In recent years, growing instability and conflict around the world have continued to fuel outward migration, including migration to the EU/EEA. Many migrants hail from countries and regions with a higher burden of STIs-including HIV-and are exposed to enhanced risks of sexual and gender-based violence leading to sexual health issues during their journeys. This scoping review aims to identify existing sexual health recommendations for non-European migrants in the EU/EEA and identify gaps in their implementation. Sexual health recommendations formulated in relation to the migrant population in peer- reviewed journals or by expert consensus, between 2010 and 2021, were included. A keyword search was used to retrieve relevant publications on PubMed, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library databases, WHO and ECDC websites. The search strategy employed was charted in a dedicated Prisma Chart. Overall, 180 publications were retrieved. Based on the abstract and after eliminating duplicates, 33 publications were included for full-text reading. The references of these publications were screened. In total, 19 publications met the inclusion criteria. Evidence-based sexual health recommendations target only newly arrived migrants and migrant children (at arrival and during stay in the country). Screening practices are mostly informed by the country of origin and related prevalence, which remains a limitation; challenges faced during migration should also be considered. Implementation and compliance with these recommendations remain uncertain, as sexual health is not funded and addressed in a uniform manner across Europe.

Case series analysis validation of the ERICSO: a new assessment tool for internet child abuse material offenders

PurposeThere are limited risk assessment tools validated for use with the internet child abuse material (I/CAM) offender cohort. Developed through a multi-stage process, the purpose of this paper is to present the “Estimated Risk for Internet Child Sexual Offending” (ERICSO), a new tool for I/CAM offender assessment, including demographic, collection, nature of engagement and social domains, plus a structured professional judgement section. Validation studies remain ongoing.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents a case series analysis of six Australian men, including two Aboriginal men, convicted of I/CAM offences to pilot proposed ERICSO domains and commence validation against the short self-esteem scale, University of California Los Angles loneliness scale, internet sex screening test and the sexual violence risk-20 V2.FindingsParticipants of all ages generally reported histories of mental health diagnosis and/or treatment and substance abuse. Two participants reported prior sexual offending, one for I/CAM offences. Participants expressed sexual preferences for female child victims and were convicted of possessing thousands of I/CAM files. Two participants reported accessing I/CAM for over six and 10 years, respectively, before detection by law enforcement.Practical implicationsPreliminary implications indicate ERICSO higher scores are consistent with I/CAM offenders having more online sexual behaviour diversity and more areas of risk/treatment need. For example, participants with problematic self-esteem and loneliness in our data set have higher ERICSO scores. Social connectedness may be a relevant factor though definitive conclusions cannot be drawn from the small sample size.Originality/valueThe ERICSO presents novel assessment of factors in considering treatment targets in addressing both illegal I/CAM and problematic legal sexual behaviours.