The prevalence of peer sexual harassment during childhood in Australia
This article examines the national prevalence of peer sexual harassment in childhood; that is sexual harassment perpetrated by children or adolescents under age 18 on those also under age 18. Using data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study prevalence was calculated overall across the population as well as by age groups and different genders.
Results indicate peer sexual harassment is widespread with 1 in 10 (10.4%) of Australians experiencing sexual harassment at the hands of peers in childhood. Peer sexual harassment disproportionately impacts girls (15.3%) and those identifying as having a diverse gender (24%) and is perpetrated primarily by males.
The paper, led by Gabrielle Hunt and published in the Journal of Interpersonal Violence, is available open access can be downloaded here.
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Suggested citation
Hunt, G. R., Higgins, D. J., Willis, M. L., Mathews, B., Lawrence, D., Meinck, F., … & Haslam, D. M. (2024). The prevalence of peer sexual harassment during childhood in Australia. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 08862605241245368.