Seksuelle overgreb mod børn og unge

Abstract

Leth, I., Stenvig, B. & Pedersen, A.: Sexual abuse of children and adolescents: Extent and characteristics. Nordisk Psykologi, 40, 383–393.

Following earlier studies in Norway and Sweden, the present report concerns a postal questionnaire study of sexual abuse of children and adolescents (under age 18) in Denmark. From a national population register, 2000 demographically representative individuals in the age range 18 to 50 years were selected. A 66% response rate was obtained. Abuse was reported by 14% of the female respondents and 7% of the male respondents. The abusers were mainly men; among abused males, however, 26% reported abuse by a female. Most of the reported cases were serious (attempted or completed coitus), and occured both within and outside of the family. The episodes of abuse were unreported at the time of occurence by 60% of the males and 52% of the females. Sexual abuse appears to be spread through all socio-economic levels.