Unwanted sexual experiences among middle and high school youth

Of the 1197 middle and high schoo students who participated anonymously in a health survey, 15% reported they had had a past unwanted sexual experience. Females were more likely than males and older students more likely than younger students to have had such experiences, which were categorized into six types: force/rape, child abuse, influence of drugs/alcohol, partner pressure, regret, and peer pressure. Male students tended to report peer pressure and regret more often than females, who tended to report forced situations and child abuse. The genders were similar, however, regarding partner pressure and the influence of drugs and alcohol. Students who reported having had an unwanted sexual experience were more likely to report current risk taking behaviors, school problems, and health problems that those who had not had such experiences. Students who had been physically forced were less likely to be currently sexually active and scored lower on a measure of current substance use than those who were not forced.