Prevalence of Sexual Abuse History in a Random Sample of Norwegian Women

Abstract

In order to obtain an estimate of the prevalence of sexual abuse history among adult women, data from a gynecological interview of a random sample of 118 women aged between 20-49 were analysed. Childhood sexual abuse involving genital contact was reported by 8.5% of the women. Intrafamilial sexual abuse in childhood was reported by 7%, 10% of all women who had ever lived in a relationship reported sexual abuse by a violent spouse, additionally 7% had experienced sexual abuse by a nonviolent spouse. 5% of all women had experienced adult sexual abuse by other than their spouse. Sexual abuse in childhood and by violent spouse was associated with a history of psychological problems and of suicidal ideation or attempts.