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Study of the Prevalence of Sexual Coercion in Adolescent Heterosexual Dating Relationships in a Quebec Sample

NCJ Number
173252
Journal
Violence and Victims Volume: 10 Issue: 4 Dated: Winter 1995 Pages: 299-313
Author(s)
M Poitras; F Lavoie
Date Published
1995
Length
15 pages
Annotation
Because very few studies dealing with the issue of sexual violence in dating relationships have provided prevalence rates for coercion that is perpetrated and sustained for both sexes during adolescence, the current study examined rates of perpetrated and sustained sexual coercion among 644 French- speaking adolescents in Quebec, Canada, who had heterosexual dating experiences.
Abstract
The sample included 336 girls and 308 boys ranging in age from 15 to 19 years. Sexual coercion was assessed using an adaptation of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES). Chi-square analysis revealed girls were more often victims of sexual coercion, while boys more frequently were the perpetrators. Some boys, however, were victims of sexual coercion. The most frequently occurring unwanted sexual experiences were kissing, petting, and fondling. Verbal coercion, consisting of continual arguments and pressures, was the strategy most frequently reported by those who suffered it. More extreme forms of sexual violence were also reported but at a lower rate. The authors conclude high rates of sexual coercion during adolescence, within a culture that is increasingly open to issues regarding sexuality, argue strongly for the implementation of prevention and intervention programs with the 15- to 19-year-olds. They recommend further research on the various forms of verbal coercion in order to more fully understand the nature of arguments and pressures by perpetrators of sexual coercion. The adapted SES is appended. 29 references and 3 tables