Africa Self-Reported Experiences of Sexual Violence among High School Learners in Kwazulu-Natal, South

Nthabiseng Dlamini
Khumbilani Hlongwana, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal

Background: Sexual violence is a global challenge, with approximately one in every three men and over half of all women experiencing sexual violence in their lifetime, hence we investigated how younger people experience this phenomenon. Methods: In a cross-sectional study underpinned by I-Change Behavioural Model, 584 Grade 10 learners from two (rural and urban) Districts self-administered a questionnaire on experiences of sexual violence. Analysis used unadjusted logistic regression for forced sex and a statistical significance of P<0.05. Results: The study included 293 boys (mean age 16.81, SD 1.72) and 290 girls (mean age 16.00 SD 1.37). More boys (20.8%) experienced forced oral sex than girls (15.6%) (P<0.005), so was vaginal sex with 12.1% and 6.9% boys and girls (P=0.028), respectively. Learners’ prior sexual experience (P<0.005) and poverty (P=0.015) were associated with forced vaginal sex. Conclusion: There is a need to design holistic gender inclusive anti-sexual violence programmes.