Sexual violence across gender identities and sexual orientations: a stratified, population-based, cross-sectional study among young people aged 16-29 years in Sweden

Abstract

Background: Sexual violence is a critical and preventable global threat to public health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. Studies have shown that sexual violence among young people in Sweden is prevalent, with lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals facing greater exposure than their heterosexual peers do. Research has also indicated that nonbinary youth report high levels of sexual violence. However, population-based studies in Sweden on sexual violence across gender identities and sexual orientations among those aged 16 to 29 years remain limited.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the lifetime prevalence of forced penetration, physical assault during sex, online sexual abuse and nonconsensual sharing of sexual content and their associations with gender identities and sexual orientations among young people in Sweden. This study also aims to examine the categories of perpetrators of sexual violence reported by young people.

Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional survey using stratified random sampling (response rate = 23.7%) yielded a sample of 9,430 respondents. The survey data were complemented with national register data from Statistics Sweden. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses.

Results: Young women and nonbinary individuals reported higher levels of all four types of violence compared to young men, with the categories of perpetrators differing by type of violence. Compared to heterosexual men, bisexual and heterosexual women were more likely to experience the four types of sexual violence. Additionally, lesbian women, along with gay and bisexual men, faced higher odds of exposure to three types of violence compared to heterosexual men. Our results indicate that, compared to nearly all groups, bisexual women are particularly vulnerable, showing the highest prevalence of all forms of sexual violence.

Conclusions: In summary, our study reveals inequities in lifetime exposure to four types of sexual violence across gender identities and sexual orientations, revealing insights into the vulnerability of bisexual, lesbian, and heterosexual women, gay and bisexual men, as well as nonbinary individuals. To eliminate sexual violence in Sweden, measures involving stakeholders at all levels are needed, focusing on tailored prevention efforts and inclusive policies that address the vulnerabilities of these groups while promoting equity for all young people.

Keywords: Digital sexual violence; Forced penetration; Gender identity; LGBTQ + individuals; Online sexual abuse; Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); Sexual assault; Sexual orientation; Sexual violence; Young people.