13,915 reasons for equity in sexual offences legislation: A national school-based survey in South Africa
2008

Prevalence of Male Sexual Violence Among Schoolboys in South Africa

Sample size: 269705 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Andersson Neil, Ho-Foster Ari

Primary Institution: Centro de Investigación de Enfermedades Tropicales, Universidad Autónoma de Guerrero

Hypothesis

How common is male sexual abuse among school-going youth in South Africa?

Conclusion

The study reveals a high prevalence of sexual abuse among male children in South Africa, highlighting the need for legal recognition and support for victims.

Supporting Evidence

  • 9% of male respondents aged 11-19 reported forced sex in the last year.
  • 44% of 18-year-olds reported being forced to have sex in their lives.
  • Perpetrators were often adults not from the victim's family.
  • Male abuse was more common in rural areas, while female perpetration was more common in urban areas.

Takeaway

Many boys in South Africa are being forced to have sex, and this is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.

Methodology

A facilitated self-administered questionnaire was used in a stratified random sample of schools across South Africa.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to reliance on participant honesty and the nature of questionnaire-based research.

Limitations

The study relies on self-reported data, which may be subject to exaggeration or withholding of information.

Participant Demographics

Participants were schoolchildren aged 10-19 years, with a significant portion being male.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.01

Confidence Interval

99% CI

Statistical Significance

p<0.01

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1475-9276-7-20

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