Lifetime prevalence, characteristics, and associated problems of non-consensual sex in men: cross sectional survey

Objective To identify the lifetime prevalence of non-consensual sexual expe riences in men, the relationship between such experiences as a child and as an adult, associated psychological and behavioural problems, and help rece ived. Design Cross sectional survey. Setting England. Subjects 2474 men (mean age 46 years) attending one of 18 general practices . Main outcome measures Experiences of non-consensual and consensual sex befo re and after the age of 16 years-that is, as a child and adult respectively -psychological problems experienced for more than 2 weeks at any one time, use of alcohol (CAGE questionnaire), self harm, and help received. Results 2474 of 3142 men (79%) agreed to participate; 71/2468 (standardised rate 2.89%, 95% confidence interval 2.21% to 3.56%) reported non-consensua l sexual experiences as adults, 128/2423 (5.35%, 4.39% to 6.31%) reported n on-consensual sexual experiences as children and 185/2406 (7.66% 6.54% to 8 .77%) reported consensual sexual experiences as children that are illegal u nder English law. Independent predictors of non-consensual sex as adults we re reporting male sexual partners (odds ratio 6.0, 2.6 to 13.5), non-consen sual sex, in childhood (4.2, 2.1 to 8.6), age (0.98, 0.96 to 0.99), and sex of interviewer (2.0, 1.2 to 3.5). Non-consensual sexual experiences were a ssociated with a greater prevalence of psychological problems, alcohol misu se, and self harm. These sexual experiences were also significant predictor s of help received from mental health professionals. Conclusion Almost 3% of men in England report non-consensual sexual experie nces as adults. Medical professionals need to be aware of the range of psyc hological difficulties in men who have had such experiences. They also need to be aware of the relationship between sexual experiences in childhood an d adulthood in men.