Predictors of delayed disclosure of rape in female adolescents and young adults

Figures & data

Table 1 Demographic characteristics of rape victims (N=323) in valid percentages

	N	%
Dutch origin^a	274	84.8
Education level^b
Low	182	58.0
Medium	76	24.2
High	56	17.8
Parents divorced	102	31.9
Lives at parental home	273	85.3
Current relationship	81	26.5
Prior negative sex	46	14.8

^aDutch origin was defined as being a child from parents born in the Netherlands; ^bafter 6 years of general primary school, at the age of 12 years, students enter low (4 years), medium (5 years), or high (6 years) secondary education level.

Table 2 Victim–assailant relationship (N=323) in valid percentages

	N	%
Stranger	94	29.5
(Ex-)Boyfriend	32	10.0
Friend	33	10.3
Acquaintance	61	19.1
Person met during nightlife	30	9.4
Second-degree relative	15	4.7
Person seen only once	15	4.7
Person from school	14	4.4
Person met on the internet	12	3.8
Colleague	10	3.1
Mentor	3	1.0

Table 3 Demographic and (post-)rape characteristics by disclosure time (early vs. delayed disclosers) and odds ratios for delayed disclosure

	Early disclosure (N=185)		Delayed disclosure (i.e., >1-week post-rape), N=131
Demographic and (post-)rape characteristics	N	%	N	%	OR	95% CI
Age category (years)
18–25	55	17.4	22	7.0
12–17	130	41.1	109	34.5	2.10	1.20–3.65*
Dutch origin
No	27	8.5	22	7.0
Yes	158	50.0	109	34.5	0.85	0.46–1.56
Living with parent(s)
No	29	9.2	16	5.1
Yes	155	49.2	115	36.5	1.35	0.70–2.59
Complete family structure
No	58	18.4	42	13.3
Yes	127	40.3	88	27.9	0.96	0.59–1.55
Current sexual relationship
No	127	41.8	97	31.9
Yes	53	17.4	27	8.9	0.67	0.39–1.14
Prior negative sexual experience(s)
No	152	49.4	110	35.7
Yes	32	10.4	14	4.5	0.61	0.31–1.19
Known assailant
No	56	17.7	36	11.4
Yes	129	40.8	95	30.1	1.15	0.70–1.88
Close to assailant
No	150	47.6	84	26.7
Yes	35	11.1	46	14.6	2.35	1.40–3.93*
Group rape
No	160	50.8	116	36.8
Yes	24	7.6	15	4.8	0.86	0.43–1.71
Age of assailant (years)
12–17	63	20.6	54	17.6
>18	117	38.2	72	23.5	0.72	0.45–1.14
Use of penetration
No	46	14.7	19	6.1
Yes	136	43.5	112	35.8	1.99	1.10–3.60*
Use of threats
No	90	31.6	48	16.8
Yes	76	26.7	71	24.9	1.75	1.09–2.82*
Use of physical violence
No	130	42.6	82	26.9
Yes	51	16.7	42	13.8	1.31	0.80–2.14
Victim's alcohol use
No	72	33.5	69	32.1
Yes	61	28.4	13	6.0	0.22	0.11–0.44*

*p<0.05.

Seven participants were dropped from analyses due to missing disclosure time data.