Y-SAV Country report United Kingdom, 2012 by Y-SAV Project

COUNTRY REPORT UNITED KINGDOM December 1, 2012

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

INTRODUCTION In 2010, a European project addressing Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimization (Y-SAV) was launched. YSAV is a three-year project co-financed by the European Union in the framework of the Health Programme to address the issue of sexual aggression and victimization among young people. The project aims to build a multidisciplinary network of European experts in various member states, bring together the knowledge on youth sexual aggression and victimization in a state-of-the-art database, develop a more harmonised way of measuring these issues and provide recommendations for strategic action to address the problem of youth sexual aggression under different circumstances in different EU member states. This report is part of the Y-SAV knowledge base. The knowledge base presents information regarding youth sexual aggression and victimization for each EU member state. This report presents the current situation in the United Kingdom regarding policies, legislation, organisations, prevalence, risk factors and evidence-based interventions in the area of youth sexual aggression and victimization. This report was compiled by the Y-SAV principal investigators at the University of Stockholm (Sweden), Rutgers WPF (The Netherlands) and the University of Potsdam (Germany). We would like to acknowledge Prof. Dr. Liz Kelly and Ms. Jo Lovett (Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, London Metropolitan University) for their important contribution to the Y-SAV report on the United Kingdom.

This report arises from the project Yâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;SAV which has received funding from the European Union in the framework of the Health Programme.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

TABLE OF CONTENTS A. B. C. D.

Government and policies ....................................................................................... 1 Legal situation ................................................................................................... 5 Institutions, organisations and services...................................................................... 7 Research on prevalence, risk factors and evidence based interventions ............................ 12

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

A. GOVERNMENT AND POLICIES i. Ministries Although the seat of the United Kingdom (UK) government has traditionally been in Westminster (England), the UK now has devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, with responsibilities including youth policies and legislation. This report will focus on England and Wales primarily, with incidental information about Scotland and Northern Ireland as relevant. The Department for Education represents UK youth policy abroad and in England, but most responsibilities relating to education are devolved to the other three national administrations: in Wales to the Department for Education and Skills; in Scotland, the Directorate of Learning and Justice; and in Northern Ireland, to its own Department for Education. In England, the department has a dedicated Minister for Children and Families and has set up a Youth Action Group, which leads cross-government work to support the most disadvantaged young people. The coalition government’s flagship policy addressing young people is Positive for Youth, which brings together all of the government’s policies for young people aged 13 to 19, including education, youth services, health, crime and housing with the aim of improving outcomes for young people. In Wales, Extending Entitlement is the Welsh Assembly Government’s programme for youth support services; it includes all services, support and opportunities for young people between 11 and 25. Other ministries in England involved in youth issues are the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the Department for Communities and Local Government, the Ministry of Justice, the Department of Health and the Department for Work and Pensions. All four nations have a Children’s Commissioner. Those in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have a general function of safeguarding and promoting the rights and interests of children (up to 18), while in England the Commissioner has a broader mandate of promoting awareness of the views and interests of children. ii. Policies Although there are separate initiatives across all four nations, the UK governments have over the past decade or so done a great deal in efforts to combat various forms of violence against women, Until relatively recently, domestic violence tended to attract the most attention with other forms of violence receiving less of a focus and little joint working across different forms of violence. Beginning in the early-mid 2000s, all four nations developed strategies to address domestic violence; the Westminster government also produced separate Plans of Action on domestic violence, sexual violence and abuse, forced marriage, prostitution and human trafficking. However, in 2009, towards the end of its last term of office, the previous Labour administration briefly brought in a cross-government strategy, Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls. 1 Most recently, in late 2010 the current coalition government introduced A Call to End Violence against Women and Girls, comprising a strategy and action plan.2

Her Majesty’s Government (2009). Together We Can End Violence Against Women and Girls, available online at: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100419081706/http://homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/vawgstrategy-2009/end-violence-against-women2835.pdf?view=Binary, accessed 17 January 2012. 2

Her Majesty’s Government (2010). Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls, London: Cabinet Office, available online at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/crime/call-end-violence-women-girls/vawg-paper?view=Binary, accessed 17 January 2012. 1

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Both the 2009 and 2010/11 documents adopt a broader approach to violence against women and girls and include initiatives to address a range of forms of it. Scotland has also moved to an explicitly broader violence against women agenda in its latest strategic document, A Partnership Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women.3 Outside Scotland, efforts to tackle VAW have not been located within a gender equality framework; instead, the dominant framework has been crime and crime reduction. Even here, however, national policy has not been consistently implemented at local level. All four nations in the UK have recently developed new youth work strategies, in England this has been underpinned by recent legislation. The Children Act 2004 provides the framework for youth policy in England, seeking to give a new approach to the well-being of children and young people up to the age of 19. It aims for every child and young person to have the support they need to be healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and achieve economic wellbeing. These five outcomes underpin all aspects of government policy relating to children and young people. The Act also introduced requirements for local authorities to cooperate with partners to achieve these outcomes. From 2008 local authorities are expected to provide integrated youth support services. In Wales, Extending Entitlement provides the framework for youth support services, bringing together all services, support and opportunities for young people aged 11 to 25. Amongst national youth programmes during the 2000s there has been a 10-year programme on improving youth facilities (Aiming high for young people; a ten year strategy for positive activities), a programme on housing (Myplace), on unemployment in 18-24 years old (New Deal for Young People) and an action plan on runaways (Young Runaways Action Plan). There have also been performed some action plans in the field of crime and sexual issues: one is the Youth Taskforce Plan (2008-2011) intended to tackle youth anti-social behaviour with a package of measures, including prevention, challenge and support for those at risk of offending. Another is the Teenage Pregnancy Strategy intended to tackle both the causes and the consequences of teenage pregnancy and aiming to reduce the under-19 conception rate. Among current national programmes aimed at young people are Building Engagement, Building Futures, which focuses on the participation of 16-24 year olds in education, training and work. Positive for Youth is a cross-government approach to policy for young people aged 13-19 in England, which brings together all of the Westminster government’s policies for this age group from across nine departments. It sets out a shared vision for how councils, schools, charities and businesses can support families and improve outcomes for young people, particularly the most disadvantaged. More specifically in relation to crime and sexual violence, in November 2011 the Home Office introduced an anti-gang strategy, Ending Gang and Youth Violence, which recognises to some extent the impact of gang-related violence on girls and young women, including experiencing serious and violent sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Under the strategy, the government has pledged to make available £ 400,000 per year to improve services to support children under 18 suffering rape and sexual abuse, including from gangs. Specific proposals are being developed by the Home Office Sexual Violence Forum. The Children’s Commissioner is also conducting a two-year Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups, which will include capturing data on the extent, nature and scope of group-associated sexual violence. Initial indications suggest that up to 10.000 children may be affected4 (Office of the Children’s Commissioner, 2011).

Scottish Government (2009). A Partnership Approach to Tackling Violence Against Women in Scotland: Guidance for Multi-Agency Partnerships, available online at: www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/299742/0093439.pdf, accessed 17 January 2012. 4

Office of the Children’s Commissioner (2011). Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG) Call for Evidence – Phase One, London: Office of the Children’s Commissioner, available online at: www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_536, accessed 17 January 2012. 2

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

In 2010, the Home Office developed and delivered a Teenage Relationship Abuse campaign, This is Abuse, which was re-run in 2011. The campaign adverts were aired on youth digital TV channels, cinemas, youth websites and social media and in shopping malls and aimed to prevent abuse in teenage relationships by empowering young people to recognise violent and controlling behaviour and seek help and support. The campaign website remains active.5 In 2010 the Westminster government published its Call to End Violence Against Women and Girls. The strategy outlines the government’s broad aims to:  prevent violence from happening by challenging the attitudes and behaviours which foster it and intervene early where possible to prevent it;  provide adequate levels of support where violence does occur;  work in partnership to obtain the best outcome for victims and their families;  take action to reduce the risk to women and girls who are victims of these crimes;  and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The strategy is supported by an Action Plan (Her Majesty’s Government, 2011) that sets out the range of government actions and the roles and responsibilities of the key delivery agencies and partnerships for work on violence against women. Both the strategy and action plan include measures to address violence against girls, including prevention and early intervention in schools and youth settings. The statutory organisations that provide services for offenders have a special duty of identifying and intervening ‘with young people who sexually abuse or who display sexually harmful behaviours’ (§1.10) and providing risk assessment ‘to manage and predict he risk of re-offending and harm’ (§1.13). The Adapted Sex Offender Treatment Programme (ASOTP) is currently being developed jointly with the Prison Service’ (§1.12). Regular crime victimization surveys (British Crime Survey, BCS) are conducted on behalf of the Home Office.6 Scotland launched a national sexual violence helpline in 2007. A national helpline for England is run by Rape Crisis. iii. Current discussion In July 2008 the CEDAW Committee recommended that the UK ‘conduct an impact assessment of its commissioning frameworks on the funding of women’s organisations’ and asked the government to ‘enhance its cooperation with and support, in particular adequate and sustained funding, for nongovernmental organisations in the area of violence against women’ (CEDAW Committee 2008: 7). Despite this, many services were at risk of closure throughout the 2000s and several were forced to cease operating (M Coy et al 2009). The most recent period has seen greater investment in sexual violence services. In early 2011, the government set up a three-year grants scheme fund of £3.5 million to sustain Rape Crisis Centres as part of a wider £10.5 million fund to bolster sexual violence support services. In 2010, three new Rape Crisis Centres were opened in Greater London, and funding for a further four centres in other parts of England was announced in 2011.

See http://thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk/, accessed 17 January 2012. www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/crime/crime-statistics/british-crime-survey/ 6

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/science-research/research-statistics/crime/crime-statistics/british-crime-survey/ 3

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Despite improvements in police and prosecution responses, serious gender issues continue to permeate all aspects of law and law enforcement which, in turn, continue to act as serious barriers to women seeking redress through the justice system. A poll published by the London group of Sexual Assault Referral Centres, the Havens, in 2010 revealed that a significant proportion of the public (56% of those surveyed) continues to hold women responsible for being raped, especially if they performed another sexual act on the perpetrator, got into bed with them, had been drinking to excess/blackout, went back to their house for a drink or were dressed provocatively. 7 This culture has been inadequately challenged and consequently remains embedded in investigative and legal frameworks which continue to be based on discriminatory beliefs about gender appropriate behaviours. In particular, legal reforms to restrict the use of sexual history evidence in rape trials have largely been ineffective and such evidence continues to be routinely introduced to undermine the credibility of women.8

Opinion Matters (2010). Wake Up to Rape: Research Summary Report. www.thehavens.co.uk/docs/Havens_Wake_Up_To_Rape_Report_Summary.pdf, accessed 17 January 2012. 8

Kelly L., Temkin J., and Griffiths S. (2006). Section 41: an evaluation of new legislation limiting sexual history evidence in rape trials. Home Office Online Report 20/06. http://library.npia.police.uk/docs/hordsolr/rdsolr2006.pdf, accessed 17 January 2012. 4

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

B. LEGAL SITUATION i. Law and legal definitions The law distinguishes between rape and sexual assault, the former being gendered in terms of perpetration in that it is committed with a penis, whilst the latter involves penetration –of vagina, anus or mouth- with any other body part or object; both offences have similar maximum penalties. The legal definition of rape is consent based. It includes rape in marriage. Rape: penetration of the victim’s vagina, anus or mouth with his penis without the victim’s consent. Rape can only be perpetrated by a man. It must be proved that the accused did not reasonably believe that the victim was consenting. The reasonableness of the belief involves consideration of all the circumstances of the case including whether the accused took any steps to ascertain whether consent was present. The maximum punishment for rape is life imprisonment. Assault by penetration: this offence is mainly designed to cover penetration of the vagina or anus with objects or parts of the body other than the penis. Again, the maximum penalty for this offence is life imprisonment. Sexual assault: this offence is mainly designed to cover non-penetrative acts involving sexual touching. The maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment. The primary legislation on child sexual abuse now in force in the UK is the Sexual Offences Act 2003.9 The SOA 2003 provides for three categories of sexual offences against children of different ages, namely, under thirteen, under sixteen, and under eighteen years respectively. Sections 5-8 deal with sexual offences against children under thirteen years of age and create strict liability offences such that Defendants cannot raise a defence of consent or of mistaken reasonable belief as to a victim’s age. The offences are those of rape, assault by penetration, sexual assault (including sexual touching) and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Maximum penalties range from fourteen years to life imprisonment. Sexual offences against children under sixteen years are covered by sections 9-13. Again, all sexual acts with children under sixteen are illegal and consent is irrelevant. However, the Defendant can raise a defence of mistaken reasonable belief as to a child’s age. Once a child has reached the age of sexual consent, namely, sixteen, it is also open to a Defendant to raise by way of defence a reasonable belief that the child consented to the sexual activity in question. Victims are witnesses rather than parties to the proceedings and, whilst special measures for vulnerable victims, including victims of sexual offences, are available, they are not available as of right. Testimony, for example, by live television link or from behind a screen is mostly dependent on application to the court, and then on the court’s discretion. Women are able to seek protective measures where criminal proceedings are not instigated. Applications for non-molestation or occupation orders (see above) can be made by those who meet the requisite criteria under Part IV Family Law Act 1996, or otherwise under the Protection From Harassment Act 1997, but these offer little assistance to women who have already suffered rape or sexual assault unless there is fear of repeated attack. Offenders are placed on a Sex Offenders Register which should enable police to keep track of their whereabouts but the evidence suggests that, for example, failure to notify police about changes in address or other circumstances, all too often still allows offenders to slip through the net. Similarly, evidence of the effectiveness of prison- and community-based Sexual Offender Treatment Programmes is inconclusive, particularly when this is measured only by reconviction rates.

Sexual Offences Act 2003 www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2003/ukpga_20030042_en_1, accessed 25 March 2010. 5

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

A recent study on behalf of the Home Office demonstrates that when a broader outcome is measured (to include the recidivism rather than just the reconviction rate), a higher level of offence-related sexual behaviour is revealed, suggesting that future evaluations of treatment programmes should adopt a similar methodology.10 ii. Official statistics In England and Wales 15.934 rapes were reported in 2010/2011, the highest figure in Europe, which represents 29 reports per 100.000 of the population11 – one of the highest in EU after Sweden and Belgium. The number of reports were 7.442 (average) in the years 1997-1999, which signifies an increase of 89% in 8 years. Comparing 2006 with the period 1987-1989 the raise has been 391%. Although the reporting of sexual violence offences has increased considerably over the last couple of decades, the prosecution rates have not kept pace and conviction rates have not increased at all. In England and Wales conviction rates fell to an all-time low of 5% in 2003/2004, increasing slightly to 6% in 2005/2006 and to 6.5% in 2006/2007. In Europe, only Scotland has a lower conviction rate. 12 iii. Legal studies The British Crime Survey (BCS), which records violence through a self-assessment questionnaire and in personal interviews with 16-59 year olds, indicates a rise in the lifetime prevalence rate for sexual assault from 17 per cent in 2001 to 23 per cent in 2004/5. At the time of the Survey, at least 80,000 women suffered rape, attempted or completed, but only one in eight was reported. 13 Legal/criminological studies have examined issues in the criminal prosecution of sexual offences against the background of high attrition and low conviction rates, for example:  Kelly, L. et al. (2005). A gap or a chasm: Attrition in reported rape cases. Home Office Research Study No. 293. London: Home Office;  Temkin, J. & Krahé, B. (2008). Sexual Assault and the Justice Gap: A question of attitude. Portland, OR, US: Hart Publishing;  Kelly, L. & Lovett J. (2009). Different Systems, Similar Outcomes? - Tracking Attrition in Reported Rape Cases Across Europe. London, Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit;  The Stern Review (2010). A report of an Independent Review of How Rape Complaints are Handled by Public Authorities in England and Wales. Home Office, London.

Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, Sexual Offenders – measuring reconviction, reoffending and recidivism, Home Office Findings, London http://rds.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs2/r183.pdf 11

Chaplin R., Flatley J. and Smith K., (2011). Crime in England and Wales 2010/2011. http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crimeresearch/hosb1011/hosb1011?view=Binary, accessed 17 January 2012. 12

Lovett J., and Kelly L. (2009). Different Systems Similar Outcomes? - Tracking Attrition in Reported Rape Cases Across Europe. CWASU, London Metropolitan University. 13

Walby S., and Allen J. (2004). Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study 276, London, Home Office. 6

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

C. INSTITUTIONS, ORGANISATIONS AND SERVICES i. National level There is a Youth Justice Board that oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. It aims to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour. The Local Government Association (LGA) represents all 410 local authority districts in England and Wales and is a forum to exchange experiences and methods in different administrative matters, e.g. youth services. British Youth Council promotes the active citizenship of young people under 26 in the UK and works with them to develop their skills and abilities to participate in decision-making and controlling resources. It has a membership of over 180 youth organisations and a network of over 400 local youth councils. There is also a UK Youth Parliament with the aim to let young people between the age of 11 and 18 be heard by local and national government. UK Youth is a national network of organisations dedicated to supporting young people through developing and promoting non-formal learning opportunities and reach up to 750,000 young people each year through regional associations and local youth groups. They also run a number of youth engagement programmes, which are youth-led programmes governed by young people that aim to empower and engage participants. ii. Regional/local level The Youth Service provides opportunities for all young people in the target age 13-19 (and for targeted groups in the 11-13 and 19-25 age range) to develop personal and social skills. The youth service is a complex network of providers of youth services, including community groups, voluntary organisations and local authorities. Special regional/local institutions for victims of sexual offences are available in most cities. There are Rape Crisis Centres (RCC), where raped women and young girls can go to have counselling, support and other help. There are also Independent Sexual Violence Advisors but available only to women who report the offences and take the criminal justice route. Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) have been in existence in some areas since the mid-1980s, where forensic examinations are provided by female staff, together with immediate crisis support, advocacy and counselling. However, despite the expansion of these services since 2000, they are not available in all areas. The Connexions Service was established by the Labour government in 2001, with the aim of providing a comprehensive service to meet young people’s need for information, advice and support. A key feature of the programme is delivery of services to a young person through a single point of contact –the Connexions Personal Adviser– administrated by 150 local authorities. Although the national body has now been disbanded by the coalition government, Connexions Service still exist in some localities. 1. Victim-oriented institutions, organisations and services 1.1 National level Women’s Aid Website Type of organisation

www.womensaid.org.uk/ NGO.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Short description

Women’s Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. It supports a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK. According to the WAVE-Network there are four Women’s Aid umbrella organisation in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England which support a network of the almost all available services for survivors of domestic and sexual violence.

Rape Crisis Centres (RCC) Website Type of organisation Short description

www.rapecrisis.org.uk NGO, funded by the state (Ministry of Justice), national facilities and through donations. Rape Crisis (England and Wales) was set up and registered as a charity to support the work of Rape Crisis centres in England and Wales. It provides co-ordination and support to affiliated member groups and campaigns and lobbies to raise awareness of the issues of sexual violence in the wider community and with local, regional and national government. Rape Crisis acknowledges all forms of sexual violence including; rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse, sexual harassment, rape in marriage, forced marriage, and so-called honour-based violence, female genital mutilation, trafficking and sexual exploitation and ritual abuse irrespective of whether the violence is from known or unknown perpetrators. Rape Crisis Centres aim to offer specialist support, advocacy, counselling and information to women and girls, free of charge and in confidence, in a safe and nonthreatening environment. The first Rape Crisis Centre opened in 1973 and is independent of the government and the criminal justice system. Rape Crisis Centres are frontline services providing crucial support and independent advocacy for all women and girls of all ages who have experienced any form of sexual violence. Rape Crisis Centres aim to offer specialist support, advocacy, counselling and information to women and girls, free of charge and in confidence, in a safe and non-threatening environment. The website offers useful information regarding rape and sexual assault (statistics, police procedures, myths and facts) as well as extra button for student who are doing research in this field.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs) Website Type of organisation Short description

For a list of SARCs see www.rapecrisis.org.uk NGO, funded and run in partnership, usually between the National Health Service, police and the voluntary sector. There are a range of local service delivery models. SARCs are specialist services that aim to be available 24/7 for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted in England and Wales. There are currently about 35 centres. They are a kind of one-stop service, providing the following services under one roof or close proximity: medical care and forensic examination following assault/rape, counselling and –in some locations– sexual health services. Services are free of charge and provided to women, men, young people and, in some cases, children. SARCs are mostly able to assist in the immediate aftermath of an assault but tend not to offer long term services that are provided by Rape Crisis Centres. In addition, SARCs can advise on and assist with other medical needs. The Home Office has committed to having one SARC per police force by 2011.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Barnardos Website Type of organisation Short description

www.barnardos.org.uk NGO. NGO, one of UK’s main charities working with children and young people violence, abuse and other forms of discrimination and disadvantage. Run over 800 projects across the UK and works directly with over 190.000 children, young people and their families every year. Run specialist projects and schemes for children and young people who have been sexually abused and exploited, including offering therapy, counselling, support and group work.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors Website Type of organisation Short description

www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime/violence-against-women-girls/isva/ NGO, supported by the state (Home Office). ISVAs are victims-focused advocates, funded to work with victims of recent and historic serious sexual crimes to enable them to access the services they need in the aftermath of the abuse they have experienced. The core role of an ISVA includes making sure that victims of sexual abuse have the best possible practical advice on what counselling and other services are available to them, on the process involved in reporting a crime to the police, and on taking their case through the criminal justice process, should they choose to do so. ISVA offers confidential advice and support to both males and females who have been the victims of sexual violence. ISVA works the voluntary and community sector and in SARCs.

2. Perpetrator-oriented institutions, organisations and services 2.1 National level Youth Justice Board Website Type of organisation Short description

www.justice.gov.uk/about/yjb/  GO.  Secretary of State for Justice. There is a Youth Justice Board that oversees the youth justice system in England and Wales. It aims to prevent offending and reoffending by children and young people under the age of 18, and to ensure that custody for them is safe, secure and addresses the causes of their offending behaviour. The work of Youth Justice Board is also dedicated to young people who sexually abuse.

3. Professional training, health education and research 3.1 National level Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU), London Metropolitan University Website Type of organisation Short description

www.cwasu.org/ Centre for independent research evaluation, consultancy and networking from a feminist perspective. CWASU is recognised as a centre of excellence, with an international reputation for research, evaluation, training and consultancy. It conducts independent feminist research that creates useful knowledge for policy makers, practitioners, survivors, supporters and activists. CWASU is the only research unit in Europe that integrates a focus on all forms of violence against women and child abuse. 9

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Objectives and purposes which are the basis of all work undertaken in CWASU include:  working from, and extending, a feminist perspective, which recognises the complexities of, and interactions between gender, race, ethnicity, class, age, sexuality and disability;  exploring the connections between various forms of assault and abuse experienced by children and women, their short and long term consequences, and how the public, the media, government and agencies respond;  conducting independent research which creates useful knowledge for policy makers, practitioners, survivors, supporters and activists;  developing training programmes, provide consultancy, enhance networking, and disseminate our work in spoken and written forms;  Through all of these activities being part of a national and international network that, in the short term advocates for sanctuary for children and women who have been victimised and sanctions for perpetrators, and in the longer term seeks to eradicate violence and abuse. Examples of studies:  Boys Think Girls are Toys?: An evaluation of the nia project prevention programme on sexual exploitation (completed);  A Missing Link? An Exploratory Study of the Connections Between NonConsensual Sex and Teenage Pregnancy (completed);  Understanding Rape in West Yorkshire (completed);  Realising Rights: Case studies on state responses to violence against women and children in Europe (completed). End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition Website Type of Organisation Short description

www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk NGO, funded by charitable donors. EVAW is a coalition representing 7 million individuals and organisations across the UK who believe we can and must create a world free from the threat and reality of violence against women and girls. EVAW’s goals are:  to ensure that national, regional and local governments in the UK take all steps necessary to prevent and eliminate violence against women and girls;  to enable individuals and organisations to become part of a movement to eliminate violence against women and girls;  for violence against women to be understood as a cause and consequence of women’s inequality and a violation of human rights;  sharing knowledge, skills and information across the Nations and Regions of the UK.

International Planned Parenthood Federation Website Type of organisation Short description

www.ippf.org/en/ NGO. IPPF is a global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. There are global headquarters in London, UK. Main services provided by the associated facilities include:  counselling  gynaecological care;  HIV-related services;  diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted infections;  infertility services; 10

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

    

mother and child health; family planning; contraception; emergency contraception; abortion-related services.

4. Other institutions 4.1. National level British Youth Council (BYC) Website Type of organisation Short description

www.byc.org.uk/ NGO, funded through donations and memberships. BYC promotes the active citizenship of young people under 26 in the UK and works with them to develop their skills and abilities to participate in decision-making and controlling resources. It has a membership of over 180 youth organisations and a network of over 400 local youth councils.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

D. RESEARCH ON PREVALENCE, RISK FACTORS AND EVIDENCE BASED INTERVENTIONS Inclusion criteria: Studies from 2000 onwards; only studies reporting youth sexual aggression (excluding cases of childhood sexual abuse, as defined by legal age of consent). For exceptions, see individual studies. No.

Year of public.

Author

Study characteristics Prevalence data

Incidence data

Perpetration data

Victimization data

Heterosexual aggression

Same-sex aggression

Risk factors/ outcomes

Hird, M. J.

2000

Myhill, A. & Allen, J.

2002

Curran, K. & Millie, A.

2003

Walby, S., & Allen, J.

2004

Finney, A.

2006

Schütt, N.

2006

Coleman, K. et al.

2007

Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified Not specified

2009

2011

Not specified

2011

Not specified

8. 9.

10.

Barter, C., McCarry, M., Berridge, D., & Evans, K. Radford, L., Corral, S., Bradley, C., Fisher, H., Bassett, C., Howat, N. and Collishaw, S. Smith, K. (Ed.) with Coleman, K., Eder, S. & Hall, P. Total

x x x x x

1. Hird, M. J. (2000). An empirical study of adolescent dating aggression in the U.K. Journal of Adolescence, 23, 69-78 (Study 1). Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design Measurement of sexual aggression

N/a A convenience sample: students of two comprehensive secondary schools (mixed-sex) in south Midlands School ‘A’ and ‘B’.  Total N = 487, N = 389 school A and I = 98 school B.  n = 242 male and n = 245 female.  Age range: between 13 and 19 years old. Cross-sectional. Dating aggression: aggressive tactics to solve problems or conflicts in a couple (past 12 months). Measurement The Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS):  use of ‘rational’ discussion;  use of psychological aggression;  use of physical force;  self-reports about own behaviour and behaviour of the sex-partner;  frequency of attempted or forced sexual intercourse. 12

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Type of data collected Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence Prevalence

Note: for the purpose of the project only results regarding sexual violence reported.  Prevalence (last 12 months) in heterosexual encounters/relations.  Victimization report from women. Dating partners. N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization 

Findings regarding risk factors

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

17.9% of the females reported that their partners attempted to force/had forced sexual intercourse.  No victimization rates for men and perpetration rates from women and from men included in the article. Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Study 1: Main indicator of aggression: gender:  women report significantly more non-aggressive responses (χ2 = 4.995, p<.025), psychologically aggressive responses (χ2 = 20.48, p<.00001) and physically aggressive responses (χ2 = 30.30, p<.000) than men;  women affirmed more likely that their partners used non-aggressive tactics (χ2 = 8.208, p<.004) and physically aggressive tactics (χ2 = 4,61, p<.032). Other indicators of aggression:  significant association between physically aggressive responses and social class;  the social class of the father and the frequency of the use of physical aggression are significantly related (χ2 = 14,02, p<.03);  students of working-class affirm greater use of physical aggression compared with students from middle- or upper-class. N/a

2. Myhill, A. & Allen, J. (2002). Rape and sexual assault of women: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study No.159 www.wdvf.org.uk/RapeHO.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design Measurement of sexual aggression

1998 and 2000 British Crime Survey. Selected sample: women.  Total N = 6.944.  N = 6.944 female.  Age range: 16-59. Cross-sectional. Measurement The survey uses Computer Assisted Self-Interviewing (CASI), whereby respondents keyed their responses into a laptop computer themselves. The respondents are asked whether they were victimized sexually. Included incidences:  rape: forced to have sexual intercourse (vaginal or anal penetration);  sexual assault: this term is used to refer to any incident reported to the survey that did not fit the criteria of rape, all three screener questions included the word ‘force’ which implies an assault. 13

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Type of data collected Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator

Incidence Prevalence

Findings regarding risk factors

 Prevalence (one year, since age 16) in heterosexual encounters.  Victimization reports from women.  Current partners.  Ex-partners.  Other intimates.  Dates.  Acquaintances.  Strangers. N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization Findings are not broken down by the age (16-59):  one year: 0.4% reported being raped, 0.9% reported being subject to some form of sexual victimization (including rape);  since age 16: 4.9% reported being raped, 9.7% reported having experienced some form of sexual victimization (including rape). Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization 

 

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Age; women aged 16 to 19 most likely to be victimised, women 20 to 24 almost equally high risk: o women aged 16 to 19 reported being raped in the last year more than four times as often than women from any other age group. Income of household; low income households: women were more than three times as likely to have reported being raped than women from middle or high income households. Relationship to perpetrator as risk-factor for number of incidents: o Multiple attacks by partners (62%); o Multiple attacks by ex-partners (52%); o Multiple attacks by other intimates (48%); o Some sexual victimization should be recognised as part of the domestic violence ‘syndrome’.

N/a

3. Curran, K. & Millie, A. (2003). Rape and indecent assault: Incidence and service provision in Southwark. Safer Southwark Partnership. https://dspace.lboro.ac.uk/dspacejspui/bitstream/2134/943/1/Curran%20and%20Millie%202003%20-%20report%5B1%5D.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design

2003 (April-July).

Measurement of sexual aggression

Indecent assault:  on women: from groping or fumbling up to serious sexual violence;  on men: similar, but it is a separate offence.

Selected sample: key informants about sexual offending. N = 40 key informants (police, psychiatrists, psychologist, etc.). Cross-sectional.

Rape:  non-consensual vaginal or anal penetration of a penis;  includes all serious sexual defences (e.g. indecent assault involving oral sex, exercise of violence (also attempt), use of instruments, etc.).

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence

Prevalence Findings regarding risk factors

Measurement:  police data (Borough Intelligence Unit (BIU) at Southwark Police Station);  statistics from ‘The Haven’ and Southwark Victim Support.  Incidence (last 12 months) in heterosexual (the vast majority) and homosexual encounters.  Victimization reports from women (the vast majority) and men (incidences were reported by key informants).  Different sex constellations between victim and perpetrator considered but not specified in the results. N/a Summary of incidence findings regarding victimization Over the period of time April 2002 – March 2003 410 allegations were made in Southwark (30% rapes, 51% indecent assaults):  410 allegations (April 2002 – March 2003): o 122 allegations of rape; o 210 allegations of indecent assault (including 23 on males); o 78 other offence allegations (including 20 cases of indecency with children, 44 of indecent exposure);  34.2 sexual assault allegations per month: o during 2002 in Southwark: 48 reported rape offences per 100.000 persons; rape and other sexual offences combined: 180 per 100.000 persons (it placed Southwark with the tenth highest figures in London, and ninth in inner London); o the vast majority of sexual assault suspects in Southwark were male (97%), while most victims were female (87%). However, 12% of cases were of sexual assault between male; o analysis of figures made available by the Haven show that, between May 2000 and December 2002, 54% of cases occurred in a residence known to the victim – including 26% in their own home. Only 14% occurred outdoors. N/a Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization and perpetration Age (Southwark police data):  32% of suspects and 45% of victims were younger than 20;  21% of all sexual allegation were for offences by persons below 20, committed on victims younger than 20;  13% of allegations were for offences by persons below 17, committed on victims younger than 17. Age as the greatest risk factor for experiencing sexual victimization. Gender:  97% of the suspects were male;  87% of the victims were female;  12 % sexual assault between males. Ethnicity:  59% of sexual assault suspects and 26% of sexual assault victims were black;  31% of sexual assault suspects and 55% of sexual assault victims were white: o experts said, there is not an ethnic bias; o criminal justice agencies and agencies which worked with young people reported about a bias toward young males from the black community (explained by cultural differences). 15

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Other offending by the suspect:  number and type of previous convictions;  Southwark BIU: 41 suspects: 30 out of 41 had previous convictions (in total 93: 24 for theft or burglary and 28 for violence offences, 10 for other sexual offences), 17 had been guilty of three or more previous offences. N/a

4. Walby, S., & Allen, J. (2004). Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the British Crime Survey. Home Office Research Study 276. www.broken-rainbow.org.uk/research/Dv%20crime%20survey.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design

2001 British Crime Survey.

Measurement of sexual aggression

Measurement sexual assault:  via a computerised self-completion questionnaire respondents were asked whether they had been subject to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking during their lifetime and during the preceding year;  new scale, capturing differences between different forms;  including serious sexual assaults (penetration of vagina or anus with an object including fingers without consent, including attempts) and less serious sexual assaults.  Lifetime prevalence.  Prevalence since age 16.  One-year prevalence last year.  Victimization reports from women and men.  Sex constellation between victim and perpetrator not specified.  Intimate: husband, male partner, ex-husband, ex-male partner.  Other known: date, father, stepfather, other relative, colleague, person in position of trust, neighbour, friend, acquaintance.  Stranger. N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence Prevalence

A representative population sample (England and Wales).  Total N =22.463.  Age range: between 16 and 59 years old. Cross-sectional.

Note: figures refer to the total sample aged 16 to 59. Since age 16:  16.6% of women and 2.1% of men experienced any form of sexual assault at least once since the age of 16;  15.8% of women and 1.8% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault;  3.6% of women and 0.3% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault (excl. attempts);  3.1% of women and 0.2% of men had been raped (excl. attempts). One-year prevalence:  2.1% of women and 0.2% of men experienced any form of sexual assault;  1.9% of women and 0.2% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault; 16

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

 

0.3% of women and 0.1% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault (excl. attempts); 0.3% of women and <0% of men had been raped (excl. attempts).

Repeat victimization:  half the female victims of sexual assault had experienced more than one incident in the last year;  women who experienced serious sexual assault reported a mean average of 2 incidents, those who experienced less serious sexual assault also reported a mean average of 2 incidents. Prevalence of all sexual assault (more and less serious assaults) by age of female victim 16-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 7.4% 3.6% 2.6% 1.7% 1.3% 1.3% 0.6% 0.5% 0.1% Relationship of offender to victim at time of worst incident for serious sexual assault and rape, since 16 female victims (percentages) Serious Rape (1994) sexual assault Intimate 47 54 Husband 14 18 Male partner 22 27 Ex-husband 2 2 Ex-male partner 8 7 Other known 35 29 Date 6 4 Father <1 1 Step-father 2 1 Other relative 4 3 Colleague 6 7 Person in position of 1 1 trust Neighbour 1 1 Friend 8 8 Acquaintance 6 3 Stranger 18 17 

Findings regarding risk factors

Perpetrators of serious sexual assaults are mostly intimates or other known persons.  Only 17% of rapes and 18% of serious sexual assaults were committed by a stranger. Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Gender:  women are more likely victim of inter-personal violence, especially sexual violence. Socio-economic status:  association between lack of access to financial resources and vulnerability to becoming a victim or offender;  prevalence of sexual assault by household income for women: less than £10,000: 2.7%, between £10,000 and £20,000: 1.7%, £20,000 and over: 1.5%;  prevalence of sexual assault by employment status of female victim: employed 1.8%, unemployed 3.4%, inactive 2.5%;  prevalence of sexual assault by social class of female victim: professional 0.7%, managerial and technical 1.7%, skilled non-manual 2.3%, skilled manual 1.5%, semi-skilled 1.9%, unskilled 1.1%; 17

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

 

prevalence of sexual assault by ethnicity (associated with variations in financial resources) of female victim: white 2%, black 2.1%, Asian 1.5%; prevalence of sexual assault by housing tenure of female victim: owners 1.5%, private rented sector 4.7%, social rented sector: 2.4%.

Region and area:  prevalence of sexual assault by area type: inner-city 3%, urban 2.2%, rural 1.2%. Age:  higher vulnerability under 25.

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Marital status:  highest risks for sexual assault: single, separated;  marital status correlates with other risk factors, e.g. age. Figures refer to the total sample aged 16 to 59. No specific figures available for youths.

5. Finney, A. (2006). Domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking: Findings from the 2004/05 British Crime Survey. Home Office Online Report 12/06. Downloaded from: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs06/rdsolr1206.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design Measurement of sexual aggression

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator

Incidence

2004/05 British Crime Survey. A representative population sample (England and Wales).  n = 13.038 women.  n = 10.546 men.  Age range: between 16 and 59 years old. Cross-sectional. Measurement:  via a computerised self-completion questionnaire respondents were asked whether they had been subject to domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking during their lifetime and during the preceding year;  new scale, capturing differences between different forms;  including serious sexual assaults (Penetration of vagina or anus with an object including fingers without consent, including attempts) and less serious sexual assaults.  Prevalence since age 16.  One year prevalence (last 12 months).  Victimization reports from women and men.  Sex constellation between victim and perpetrator not specified.  Partner: husband/wife, partner, boyfriend, girlfriend, ex-husband/wife, previous partner, boyfriend, girlfriend;  Family member: father/mother, stepfather/mother, another relative;  Other known: date, friend, neighbour, acquaintance, someone known at work, school, university, person in position of trust;  Stranger. N/a

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Prevalence

Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization Note: figures refer to the total sample aged 16 to 59. Since age 16:  23.5% of women and 3.5% of men experienced any form of sexual assault;  22.3% of women and 3.1% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault;  4.4% of women and 0.4% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault (excl. attempts);  3.8% of women and 0.3% of men had been raped (excl. attempts). One year prevalence:  2.8% of women and 0.6 % of men experienced any form of sexual assault;  2.6% of women and 0.5% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault;  0.5% of women and 0.1% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault;  0.4% of women and 0.1% of men had been raped;  8.9% of women and 8.9% of men experienced stalking. All sexual assault for participants aged 16-19 and 20-24:  women (both rates significantly above average for all women): o 16-19: 10.4%; o 20-24: 4.7%;  men: o 16-19: 2.0% (sign. above average for all men); o 20-24: 1.4%. Victim-offender relationship for less serious and serious sexual assault since the age of 16 (percentages) Women Men Less Serious Less Serious serious sex. serious sex. sex. assault sex. assault assault assault Partner 19 51 12 38 Husband/wife 5 15 2 3 Partner, boy/girlfriend 7 19 6 19 Ex-husband/wife 2 6 1 6 Previous partner, 6 14 5 10 boy/girlfriend Family member 6 8 3 6 Father/mother 2 2 1 1 Stepfather/mother 1 2 <1 1 Another relative 4 4 2 4 Other known 33 41 52 43 Date 5 10 3 6 Friend 7 11 16 15 Neighbour 3 1 2 Acquaintance 11 15 12 12 Someone known at 11 6 19 8 school/work/uni Person in position of 2 3 5 3 trust/authority Stranger 62 11 46 17 Figures add up to more than 100% due to multiple victimization.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Findings regarding risk factors

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Significantly increased risk for:  cohabitating, single, and divorced women relative to married women;  young women under the age of 24;  women in rural areas. N/a

6. Schütt, N. (2006). Domestic violence in adolescent relationships – Young people in Southwark and their experiences with unhealthy relationships. Research project carried out for Safer Southwark Partnership. www.cassandralearningcentre.org.uk/research/ Year of data collection Type of sample

Sample composition

Design Measurement of sexual aggression

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence

  

Police Statistics 1999-2000 and 2004-2005. Survey Study not given. Selected sample: victims of domestic violence between 14 and 18 (Police statistics).  Convenience sample: young people aged 16 to 24 collected in 7 different samples (Southwark college, Walwort School, Geoffrey Chauser School, Southwark Youth Council, Safe Shop Peckham, Aylesbury Youth Club, Pembroke House Youth Club). Police statistics:  1999/2000 Total N = 117 (number of domestic violence allegations); 2004/2005 Total N = 108 (number of domestic violence allegation);  Age range 14 to 18 years. Survey Study:  N Total = 135;  n = 58 male, n = 77 female;  Age range 12 to 24. Cross-sectional. Survey study:  sexual abuse: ‘Have experienced that a boyfriend/girlfriend tried to force them to have sex’ and ‘Have tried to force a boyfriend/girlfriend to have sex’;  the survey is based on a short questionnaire, which has been constructed in line with the questionnaires used previously in large American surveys and the two previously discussed UK surveys. It addresses issues such as relationship experiences, relationship behaviours and attitudes towards aggressive behaviour within relationships.  Incidence: police statistics.  Prevalence (lifetime): Survey.  Victimization and perpetration reports from women and men in heterosexual and homosexual relationships (data regarding heterosexual and homosexual experiences not specified in results). Specified in: current or former partner. Police statistics:  1999/2000: 129 sexual offences were victim and perpetrator were between 14 and 18 years old and victim knew the perpetrator (12.4% of all sexual offence cases reported to the police): o current or former partners committed 57.3% of these offences; o only 4% was flagged and investigated as a domestic violence allegation; 20

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012



Prevalence

2004/2005: 121 sexual offences were victim and offender were between 14 and 18 and had some kind of relationship (10.4% of all sexual offence cases reported to the police): o 63.1% of these incidents were committed by current or former partners; o 2.7% were registered as domestic violence. Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization   

15.3% experienced that a boyfriend/girlfriend tried to force them to have sex (19.0% male, 12.2% female). 42% of the adolescents have experienced some form of abusive behaviour from a partner; 39.2% report behaviour that can be classified as abusive. Adolescents report experiences of abuse from a current or former partner will more likely than people without these experiences report having abused a boyfriend/girlfriend in some way.

Summary of prevalence findings regarding perpetration  Findings regarding risk factors Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

3.2% have tried to force a boyfriend/girlfriend to have sex (7.3% male, 0.0% female).  Young women more often report behaving abusively (42.6%, males 34.2%). Summary of findings regarding risk factors for perpetration 

Age: higher perpetration rates for emotional, physical and sexual abuse with increasing age.

N/a

7. Coleman, K., Jansson, K., Kaiza, P. & Reed, E. (2007). Homicide, firearm offences and intimate violence 2005/2006. (Supplementary Volume 1 to Crime in England and Wales 2005/2006). Downloaded from: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs07/hosb0207.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design Measurement of sexual aggression

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence

2005/06 British Crime Survey. Representative population sample (England and Wales).  n = 13.480 women.  n = 11.271 men.  Age range: between 16 and 59 years old. Cross-sectional. Sexual assault:  indecent exposure;  sexual threats and unwanted touching (‘less serious’);  rape or assault by penetration including attempts (‘serious’);  by any person including a partner or family member.  Prevalence since age 16.  One year prevalence (last 12 months).  Victimization reports from women and men.  Sex constellation between victim and perpetrator not specified.  Intimate: husband, male partner, ex-husband, ex-male partner;  Other known: date, father, stepfather, other relative, colleague;  Person in position of trust: neighbour, friend, acquaintance. N/a

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Prevalence

Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization Note: figures refer to the total sample aged 16 to 59. Since age 16:  23.9% of women and 3.6% of men experienced any form of sexual assault;  22.8% of women and 3.4% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault;  4.4% of women and 0.4% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault (excl. attempts);  5.0% of women and 0.5% of men had been raped (excl. attempts). One year prevalence (last 12 months):  3.3% of women and 0.6 % of men experienced any form of sexual assault;  2.9% of women and 0.5% of men were subjected to less serious sexual assault;  0.5% of women and 0.1% of men were subjected to serious sexual assault (excl. attempts);  0.4% of women and 0.1% of men had been raped(excl. attempts);  8.9% of women and 7.2% of men experienced stalking. All sexual assault for participants aged 16-19 and 20-24:  women (both rates significantly above average for all women): o 16-19: 11.4%; o 20-24: 5.6%;  men: o 16-19: 1.3%; o 20-24: 1.2%. Victim-offender relationship for less serious and serious sexual assault since the age of 16 (percentages) Women Men Less Serious Less Serious serious sex. serious sex. sex. assault sex. assault assault assault Partner 20 54 12 36 Husband/wife 4 13 3 9 Partner, boy/girlfriend 8 24 6 20 Ex-husband/wife 3 6 1 4 Previous partner, 8 17 2 4 boy/girlfriend Family member 5 4 2 2 Father/mother 1 1 2 2 Stepfather/mother 1 2 0 0 Another relative 3 2 2 0 Other known 33 40 44 58 Date 5 13 2 11 Friend 6 12 16 26 Neighbour 2 2 3 7 Acquaintance 11 12 13 17 Someone known at 11 3 13 5 school/work/uni Person in position of 3 2 2 2 trust/authority Stranger 63 11 51 17 Figures add up to more than 100% due to multiple victimization.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Findings regarding risk factors

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Significantly increased risk of sexual assault in the last year for:  cohabitating, single, and divorced women relative to married women;  young women under the age of 24;  women with disability. N/a

8. Barter, C., McCarry, M., Berridge, D., & Evans, K. (2009). Partner exploitation and violence in teenage intimate relationships. NSPCC-Report www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/Findings/partner_exploitation_and_violence_report_wdf70 129.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition

Design Measurement of sexual aggression

Type of data collected Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence Prevalence

N/a Convenience sample: school students from eight secondary schools.  Total N = 1.353.  n = 669 male, n = 680 female.  Age range 13-16 or over (nearly three quarters of respondents were 15 years old or older). Cross-sectional. Ad hoc questions:  Victimization: o ‘have any of your partners ever pressured you into kissing, touching or something else?’ o ‘have any of your partners physically forced you into kissing, touching or something else?’ o ‘have any of your partners ever pressured you into having sexual intercourse?’ o ‘have any of your partners physically forced you into having sexual intercourse?’  Perpetration: o ‘have you ever pressured your partner into kissing, touching or something else?’ o ‘have you ever physically forced your partner into kissing, touching or something else?’ o ‘have you ever pressured your partner into having sexual intercourse?’ o ‘have you ever physically forced your partner into having sexual intercourse?’  Prevalence (lifetime) in heterosexual and homosexual encounters.  Victimization and perpetration reports from women and men. Specified: partner (anyone the young person had been intimate with, ranging from serious long-term boyfriend/girlfriend, to a more causal partner or an onoff-encounter). N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization    

31% of girls reported experienced sexual violence from their partner (16% of boys). 27% of girls felt pressured into do something sexual against their wishes. 13% of girls reported being physically forced into doing something sexual, for most it was only a single incident. 16% of girls reported that they had been pressured into sexual intercourse, 6% reported they had been physically forced. 23

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

 

15% of boys reported being pressured into something sexual against their wishes, 6% stated physical had been used. 6% of boys stated being pressured into sexual intercourse, 3% reported physical force.

Summary of prevalence findings regarding perpetration 

Findings regarding risk factors

12% of boys and 3% of girls reported the use of sexual violence against their partners.  Pressing partners into sexual behaviour: 11% of males and 2% of females.  Forcing partners into sexual behaviour physically: 4% of males and 1% of females.  5% of boys and 1% of girls had pressured they partner into having sexual intercourse.  12 boys and four girls reported the use of physical force to make their partner have intercourse. Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Age of partner:  significant association between age of partner and sexual violence for girls: 76% of all incidents of sexual violence for girls occurred with an older partner;  75% of girls who had a ‘much older’ partner reported sexual violence;  boys experienced greater rates of sexual violence from younger-age partners. Ethnicity and religion:  no significant association for girls;  for boys ethnicity and religion was associated with sexual victimization: 13% of white boys, 18% of black boys, 24% of mixed ethnicity boys and 39% of Asian boys reported sexual victimization;  47% of Sikh boys and 35% of Muslims reported being victims of sexual violence. Family violence:  significant association between family violence and sexual partner victimization;  only 18% of young people without family violence experiences reported sexual partner violence, in contrast 40% of those you experienced some form of family violence;  for girls: 25% of girls with no family violence to 45% of girls with family violence reported sexual victimization;  for boys: 13% of boys with no family violence to 30% of boys with family violence;  peer violence;  significantly associated with an increased risk of sexual violence;  20% of young people with non-aggressive peers reported sexual violence to 36% of young people with aggressive peers;  same-sex partner;  significant association with experience of sexual partner violence;  23% of young people with opposite-sex partners reported sexual violence to 41% of young people with same-sex partners. Summary of findings regarding risk factors for perpetration Age:  perpetration was linked to the age of male participants (the older, the more sexual violence was reported: 7% at the age of 13 to 21% at the age of 16 and over). 24

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Family and peer violence:  previous experiences of family violence were significantly associated with an increased risk of perpetrating sexual violence both for girls (1 vs. 7%) and boys (10 vs. 20%).

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Same-sex partner:  respondents with a same-sex partner were more likely to report perpetrating sexual violence (23 % vs. 7%). Summary of findings regarding consequences Impact on well-being:  70% of girls who were sexually victimised emphasised that this had negative impact on their welfare;  87% of boys reported no adverse effect, only 12 boys reported a negative outcome.

9. Radford, L., Corral, S., Bradley, C., Fisher, H., Bassett, C., Howat, N. and Collishaw, S. (2011). Child abuse and neglect in the UK today. NSPCC-Report www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/findings/child_abuse_neglect_research_PDF_wdf84181.pdf Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition

Design Measurement of sexual aggression

2009. Nationally representative random probability sample of parents and children, young people and young adults. 6.196 interviews conducted with:  2.160 parents or guardians of children and young people under 11 years of age (under 11s);  2.275 young people between the ages of 11 and 17 (11–17s), with additional information;  provided by their parents or guardians;  1.761 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24: o 85% of the parent or guardian participants were female (n = 3.750) and 15% were male (n = 679); o of children and young people either interviewed or referred to in their parents’ or guardians’ interviews 48% were female and 52% male. Cross-sectional. Sexual abuse within lifetime and past-year child maltreatment and severe child maltreatment, using the WHO definition of child maltreatment, which includes sexual abuse, and HM government’s guidance for professionals contained in Working Together to Safeguard Children (2010: 38)14 which contains the following definition of sexual abuse: ‘Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse.’

HM Government (2010) Working Together to Safeguard Children. www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationdetail/page1/DCSF-00305-2010, accessed 19 January 2012. 25

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Type of data collected

Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence Prevalence



Prevalence, impact and severity of children’s and young adults’ experiences of childhood maltreatment at home, in school and in the community (including sexual abuse).  Via household interviews using computer-assisted self-interviewing. Relationship categories: parent, guardian or adult living in the family home, non-resident adults and peers. N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization Note: since the age of consent is 16, the figures might include experiences defined as child sexual abuse. Levels of contact sexual abuse and overall severe maltreatment Under 11s Male

Female

11-17s

18-24s

Total

Male

Female

Total

Male

Female

Total

Contact sexual abuse %

0.2

0.8

0.5

2.6

4.8

5.1

17.8

11.3

165

215

All severe maltreatment (all forms) %

5.8

6.1

5.9

18.2

18.6

20.3

30.6

25.3

153

161

320

196

284

480

Lifetime and past year levels of sexual abuse and overall severe maltreatment Maltreatment and victimization type

Under 11s Lifetime

Under 11s Past year

11-17s Lifetime

11-17s Past year

18-24s Lifetime

Contact sexual abuse %

0.5

0.2

4.8

1.9

11.3

215

1.2

0.6

16.5

9.4

24.1

285

163

456

All sexual abuse

All severe maltreatment %

5.9

18.6

25.3

153

320

480

     

0.6% of under 11s and 9.4% of 11–17s had experienced sexual abuse including non-contact offences in the past year. Teenage girls aged 15-17 reported the highest past year rates of sexual abuse. 65.9% of the contact sexual abuse reported by children and young people (017s) was perpetrated by other children and young people under the age of 18. 1.2% of under 11s, 16.5% of 11–17s and 24.1% of 18–24s had. Experienced sexual abuse including non-contact offences, by an adult or by a peer at some point in childhood. The majority of perpetrators of sexual abuse were males, either adults or other young people known to the child or young person.

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

Findings regarding risk factors

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization The relative risk of lifetime contact sexual abuse was significantly greater for 11-17s who had experienced any form of lifetime physical violence than for those who had not - 4.2 times more likely if physical violence was from a parent or a guardian and 6.58 times more likely if this was from someone other than a parent or guardian. Summary of findings regarding consequences 

 

Of all forms of maltreatment/victimisation, sexual abuse and victimisation by a peer or sibling exerted their strongest effects on mental health during adolescence. Sexual abuse and physical violence appeared to have strong independent effects on delinquent behaviour in females aged 11–17, with effects on this aspect decreasing into adulthood. 0.5% of under 11s, 4.8% of 11 to 17s and 11.3% of 18–24s had reported contact sexual abuse as defined by the criminal law at some point in childhood. In 34% of cases of sexual assault by an adult and 82.7% of cases of sexual assault by a peer nobody else knew about it.

10. Smith, K. (Ed.) with Coleman, K., Eder, S. & Hall, P. (2011). Homicides, Firearm Offences and Intimate Violence 2009/2010. (Supplementary Volume 2 to Crime in England and Wales 2009/2010). www.homeoffice.gov.uk/publications/science-research-statistics/research-statistics/crimeresearch/hosb0111/hosb0111?view=Binary Year of data collection Type of sample Sample composition Design

2009/2010

Measurement of sexual aggression

Measurement of sexual victimization is made through a computerised separate self-completion module. It captures respondents’ experiences of, among others, sexual assaults. Sexual offences identified in face-to face interviews are not included in the prevalence data presented below.

Type of data collected Relationship(s) between victim and perpetrator Incidence Prevalence

A representative sample of men and women.  N = N/a.  Age: between 16 and 59 years. Cross-sectional.

Sexual assault: rape or assault by penetration including attempts (‘serious’), incident exposure, sexual treats or unwanted touching (‘less serious’) carried out by any person.  Prevalence since the age of 16 and in the last 12 months.  Victimization reports from men and women. Intimate partner violence: partner, ex-partner, family member. N/a Summary of prevalence findings regarding victimization: Most of data included in the report refers to the entire sample between 16 and 59. Only few data available for the specific age group. Victimization (last 12 months):  Women: o aged between 16 and 19: 7.9%; o aged between 20 and 24: 3.6%;

Country Report United Kingdom, 2012

 Findings regarding risk factors

Findings regarding outcomes or consequences

Men: o aged between 16 and 19: 1.2%; o aged between 20 and 24: 0.5%. Summary of findings regarding risk factors for victimization Note: results 2-4 refer to entire sample between 16 and 59. Characteristics that contribute most to explaining the risk of sexual assault:  age: those aged between 16 and 19 show higher risk of sexual assault compared with older age groups);  sex: female more likely to have experienced intimate violence;  usage of any drug in the last year: higher risk of being a victim of sexual assault compare with those who did not use it;  frequency of visits to a night club. Not available for the specific age group.