The Impact of Mental Illness and Intellectual Disability Information on General Public Perceptions of a Person Convicted of a Child Sex Offence.

A person convicted of sex offences (PCSO) is confronted with several challenges upon re-entry to the community, often facing difficulties accessing housing and employment, and experiencing stigmatisation, hostility and harassment from community members. Given the importance of community support for successful reintegration, we examined differences in public (N = 117) attitudes toward a PCSO against a child (PCSO-C) with mental illness or intellectual disability compared to a neurotypical PCSO-C in an online survey. At present, differences in attitudes towards these groups has not been explored. Results indicated the PCSO-Cs with intellectual disability or mental illness were seen to pose less risk of sexual reoffending and prompted higher levels of reintegration comfort than the neurotypical PCSO-C. Participants' prior personal exposure to mental illness or intellectual disability was unrelated to attitudes, but those who believed that PCSOs in general have a low capacity for change attributed greater risk of sexual reoffending, greater risk of future harm to children, higher levels of blame and lower reintegration comfort, regardless of MI and ID information. Female participants also perceived greater risk of future harm to adults, and older participants estimated higher risk of sexual reoffending than younger participants. Findings have implications for community acceptance of PCSO-Cs and jury decision-making processes and highlight the importance of public education regarding neurodiverse PCSO-Cs and PCSO capacity for change to encourage knowledge-based judgements.

The role of legal medicine professionals in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among female victims of sexual assault.

Sexual violence can have an overwhelming impact on the victim's physical and mental health; the consequences include unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, the examiners must assess victims for possible pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as a part of the sexual assault examination. This article aims to orient the medico-legal examiners towards their role in preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among victims of sexual assault. Prompt detection of pregnancy or STIs is critical, as any delay would adversely affect the successful administration of emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections.

Violência física, sexual e psicológica segundo a análise conceitual evolucionista de rodgers / Physical, sexual and psychological violence according to rodgers' evolutionary conceptual analysis / Violencia física, sexual y psicológica según el análisis conceptual evolutivo de rodgers

RESUMO Objetivo: esclarecer os conceitos de violência física, psicológica e sexual e, a partir dos resultados obtidos, comparar similaridades e diferenças entre conceitos, suas características, condições para acontecimentos e possíveis desfechos. Métodos: utilizou-se a análise de conceito evolutivo de Rodgers. Os antecedentes, atributos e consequentes foram extraídos de 91 documentos publicados em 2018, em português, inglês, francês ou espanhol, por busca utilizando os descritores "violência física", "violência psicológica" e "violência sexual". Resultados: para "violência física" foram extraídos 17 atributos, um antecedente e sete consequentes; para "violência sexual" 31 atributos, 10 antecedentes e dois consequentes; e para "violência psicológica" 33 atributos, quatro antecedentes e seis consequentes. Considerações finais: distintas tipologias de violência apresentam diferentes atos que as caracterizam, e que quando (re)conhecidos pelo enfermeiro, oportunizam um planejamento da assistência otimizado e de qualidade.

ABSTRACT Objective: to clarify the concepts of physical, psychological, and sexual violence and, from the results obtained, to compare similarities and differences among concepts, their characteristics, conditions for events, and possible outcomes. Methods: Rodgers' evolving concept analysis was used. The antecedents, attributes and consequents were extracted from 91 documents published in 2018, in Portuguese, English, French or Spanish, by search using the descriptors "physical violence", "psychological violence" and "sexual violence". Results: for "physical violence" 17 attributes, one antecedent and seven consequents were extracted; for "sexual violence" 31 attributes, 10 antecedents and two consequents; and for "psychological violence" 33 attributes, four antecedents and six consequents. Final considerations: different types of violence have different acts that characterize them, and that when (re)known by the nurse, allow for an optimized and quality care planning.

RESUMEN Objetivo: aclarar los conceptos de violencia física, psicológica y sexual y, a partir de los resultados obtenidos, comparar las similitudes y diferencias entre los conceptos, sus características, las condiciones de los acontecimientos y los posibles resultados. Métodos: Se utilizó el análisis conceptual evolutivo de Rodgers. Los antecedentes, atributos y consecuentes se extrajeron de 91 documentos publicados en 2018, en portugués, inglés, francés o español, mediante la búsqueda con los descriptores "violencia física", "violencia psicológica" y "violencia sexual". Resultados: para la "violencia física" se extrajeron 17 atributos, un antecedente y siete consecuentes; para la "violencia sexual" 31 atributos, 10 antecedentes y dos consecuentes; y para la "violencia psicológica" 33 atributos, cuatro antecedentes y seis consecuentes. Consideraciones finales: los diferentes tipos de violencia presentan diferentes actos que los caracterizan, y que al ser (re)conocidos por la enfermera, permiten una planificación de cuidados optimizada y de calidad.

Sexual violence in patients with psychiatric conditions: Factors for consideration in case management.

Patients with underlying psychiatric conditions are vulnerable to the experience of sexual violence. Barriers and facilitators to disclosure exist, at the level of the individual, healthcare system, legal system and society in general. Management requires a trauma-informed approach with a focus on avoidance of stigma, optimisation of pre-existing psychiatric conditions and appropriate treatment of psychological sequalae. Preventive strategies by the patient, practitioner and healthcare system, may assist to reduce the risk of future sexual violence.

Sumisión química en casos de presuntos delitos contra la libertad sexual 2016-2018, Lima, Perú / Chemical submission in cases of alleged crimes against sexual freedom 2016-2018, Lima, Peru

Introducción: La sumisión química es el uso de sustancias químicas con el fin de manipular la voluntad en las personas produciendo una incapacidad o inconsciencia que facilita la acción criminal, por lo que han tomado un gran protagonismo en los últimos años, debido al uso frecuente en los casos de presuntos delitos contra la libertad sexual.Materiales y métodosSe ha realizado un estudio observacional descriptivo-retrospectivo de casos de presuntos delitos contra la libertad sexual ejercidos mediante sustancias químicas, con el fin de determinar el perfil de las víctimas según las muestras analizadas y las sustancias detectadas en los años 2016, 2017 y 2018, que han sido registrados en la Dirección de Criminalística (DIRCRI) de la Policía Nacional del Perú (PNP).ResultadosDe los 1841 casos de delito contra la libertad sexual, 445 (24,17±2%) cumplieron los criterios de inclusión. El perfil de la víctima es de una mujer limeña joven con una edad media de 22,56±1,14 años. La procedencia de casos fue San Juan de Lurigancho (10,56±2,9%). Las muestras remitidas han sido orina (62,47±4,5%), y en conjunto con el sarro ungueal (37,53±4,5%). El análisis toxicológico de los casos probables han sido sustancias identificadas como psicofármacos (57,53±4,6%, fundamentalmente benzodiacepinas), etanol (26,29±4,1%), y drogas ilícitas (11,24±2,9%, fundamentalmente marihuana y cocaína), solas o en combinación.ConclusionesEl estudio demostró que el 24,17±2% fueron casos probables de mujeres limeñas, agredidas sexualmente bajo efectos de sustancias químicas, predominando el distrito de San Juan de Lurigancho con el 10,56±2,9%, cuya mayoría de muestras analizadas fueron a partir de la orina con el 62,47±4,5%; el grupo de sustancias en el que más prevalencia se obtuvo fueron los psicofármacos con 57,53±4,6%, siendo las benzodiacepinas los únicos subgrupos que fueron registrados. (AU)

Introduction: Chemical submission is the use of chemical substances to manipulate the will of a person, producing incapacity or unconsciousness that facilitates criminal action. It has gained in prominence in recent years, due to its frequent use in cases of alleged crimes against sexual freedom.Materials and methodsAn observational descriptive-retrospective study of cases of alleged crimes against sexual freedom committed using chemical substances was carried out, to determine the profile of the victims according to the samples analysed and the substances detected in 2016, 2017 and 2018,registered with the Criminalistics Directorate (DIRCRI) of the Peruvian National Police (PNP).ResultsOf the 1841 cases of crime against sexual freedom, 445 (24.17%±2%) met the inclusion criteria. The victim's profile is that of a young (Lima) woman (mean age: 22.56±1.14 years). The cases were from San Juan de Lurigancho (10.56%±2.9%). The samples submitted were urine (62.47%±4.5%), and urine and nail plaque (37.53%±4.5%). The toxicological analysis of probable cases showed substances identified as psychotropic drugs (57.53%±4.6%, mainly benzodiazepines), ethanol (26.29%±4.1%), and illicit drugs (11.24%±2.9%, mainly marijuana and cocaine), alone or in combination.ConclusionsThe study showed that 24.17%±2% were probable cases of Lima women who had been sexually assaulted under the influence of chemical substances, predominantly in the district of San Juan de Lurigancho at 10.56%±2.9%, most of the samples analysed were urine with 62.47%±4.5%; the most prevalent group of substances were psychotropic drugs at 57.53%±4.6%, with benzodiazepines being the only subgroups that were recorded. (AU)

Care to female adolescents victims of sexual violence at a referral service in Brazil from 2011 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the characteristics of aggression, care, and follow-up of sexual violence in adolescent women at a university service in Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study from 2011 to 2018, we assessed sociodemographic characteristics, type and form of sexual violence perpetration, background and perception of the victim about violence, and characteristics of care and social/legal support during follow-up. RESULTS: Of 521 adolescents 242 (46.5%) were aged 10-14 years, 354 (68%) had not started sexual life, 465 (89%) perceived the violence and they had low prevalence of alcohol (71, 16%) and other psychoactive substance consumption (25, 6%), and 24 (4.6%) had an intellectual disability. Intimidation through physical force, acute abuse, vaginal penetration, acquaintance aggressor, being approached in a public place, and family/acquaintance residence were the most prevalent characteristics of aggression. In the 2017-2018 biennium, we observed a decrease in the prevalence of adolescents who were students (P < 0.001), an increase in the number of acquaintance aggressors (P = 0.008), and medical care after 72 hours (P < 0.033). CONCLUSION: Adolescents were victims of severe sexual violence. There was a decrease in prophylactic treatments and half of the adolescents did not complete outpatient follow-up. The economic worsening over the last decade may have contributed to these results.

Stealthing among university students: associated factors / Práctica del stealthing entre jóvenes universitarios: factores asociados / Prática do stealthing entre jovens universitários: fatores associados

ABSTRACT Objective: To identify the practice of stealthing among university students and the associations between the profile of these young people and this practice. Method: Cross-sectional study carried out at a university campus in a city in the countryside of Sao Paulo. Data collection was carried out online by RedCap between May and September 2018, through questionnaires with identification data, sociodemographic characteristics and sexual and reproductive health. Data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS, version 17.0. Results: A total of 380 students participated in the study, aged between 18 and 24 years old, most of them unpaid students, coming from private education, not having a religion and being single. Most of them were biologically female and identified as cisgender and heterosexual women. As for stealthing, 1.33% of the participants had performed it and 11.44% had already undergone this practice. There was a significant association between having been stealthed and the variables female biological sex (p = 0.000) and identifying as a woman (p = 0.000). Conclusion: The occurrence of stealthing is higher among those who have been stealthed than among those who have done it and having been stealthed is associated with being female and identifying as a woman.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar el stealthing entre jóvenes universitarios y la asociación entre el perfil de esos jóvenes y su práctica. Método: Se trata de un estudio transversal realizado en un campus universitario de un municipio del interior de São Paulo. Los datos se recopilaron en línea, en el RedCap, entre mayo y septiembre de 2018 mediante cuestionarios con datos de identificación, características sociodemográficas, salud sexual y reproductiva, y se analizaron con el IBM-SPSS, versión 17.0. Resultados: Participaron del estudio 380 estudiantes, con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 24 años, gran parte sin trabajo remunerado, provenientes de la enseñanza particular, sin religión y solteras(os). En su mayoría eran del sexo femenino biológico y se identificaban como mujeres cisgénero y heterosexuales. En cuanto al stealthing, el 1,33% de los participantes lo había realizado y el 11,44% ya había sufrido esta práctica. Hubo una asociación significativa entre haber sufrido stealthing y las variables sexo biológico femenino (p = 0,000) y el identificarse como mujer (p = 0,000). Conclusión: La incidencia del stealthing es mayor entre los que han sufrido esta práctica que entre los que la han practicado. Haber sufrido el furtivismo se asocia a ser mujer y a identificarse como tal.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar a prática de stealthing entre jovens universitários e as associações entre o perfil desses jovens e a prática do stealthing. Método: Estudo transversal realizado em um campus universitário de um município no interior paulista. A coleta de dados foi online pelo RedCap, entre maio e setembro de 2018, por meio de questionários com dados de identificação, características sociodemográficas e de saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Os dados foram analisados pelo IBM-SPSS, versão 17.0. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 380 estudantes, com idade entre 18 e 24 anos, a maioria sem exercer função remunerada, advindos(as) de ensino particular, sem religião e solteiras(os). Em sua maioria, eram do sexo biológico feminino e se identificavam como mulheres cisgênero e heterossexuais. Quanto ao stealthing, 1,33% dos participantes tinham realizado e 11,44% já tinham sofrido essa prática. Houve associação significativa entre ter sofrido stealthing e as variáveis sexo biológico feminino (p = 0,000) e se identificar como mulher (p = 0,000). Conclusão: A ocorrência do stealthing é maior entre os que sofreram essa prática do que entre aqueles que a praticaram. Ter sofrido stealthing está associado a ser do sexo feminino e se identificar como mulher.

The other side of late-life intimacy? Sexual violence in later life.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the extent, nature and consequences of sexual violence in later life. METHODS: Data were obtained from all police forces in England, Wales and Northern Ireland on rape and sexual assault by penetration (Sexual Offences Act 2003) offences involving a victim aged ≥ 60 years, recorded between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2013. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 27 practitioners working in specialist violence or age-related organisations and with three female survivors. RESULTS: The majority of victims were female, and most offenders were male. Offenders were generally younger than victims, and most offences occurred in the victim's home, although one in five occurred in a care home. Physical, psychological and social consequences were described which create specific challenges in accessing and receiving support. CONCLUSION: An intersectional life course analysis of sexual violence is required to develop a better understanding of the consequences, particularly for older women.

High or very high recidivism risk? The possibilities of recidivism risk assessment under the Polish SVP law (the Act of 22 November 2013). / Wysokie czy bardzo wysokie ryzyko recydywy? Mozliwosci oceny kategorii ryzyka recydywy sprawców na potrzeby Ustawy z 22.11.2013.

The paper presents an analysis of possibilities of performing recidivism risk assessment under the Act of 22 November 2013 on the treatment of people with mental disorders posing a threat to life, health or sexual freedom of others. The Act allows, among others, the post-penitentiary isolation of persons posing a threat. The risk assessment at "very high" level is one of the key elements taken into account in adjudication of this procedure.The first part presents basic information on the recidivism risk assessment procedure: types of risk factors and different approaches to recidivism risk assessment. Then, three main limitations related to the assessment under the Act were discussed. These are: (1) the problem of the scope of the predicted events, (2) the problem of differentiation between the upper sub-categories of recidivism risk, (3) the problem of the lack of full Polish adaptations of recidivism risk assessment instruments. In consequence of these limitations, the risk assessment under the Act has lower precision. The problem of the lack of Polish adaptations can be solved with validation of the appropriate instruments. However, the other two challenges result directly from the provisions of the Act and cannot be faced with its current form. Therefore main conclusion of the paper focuses on the need to take into account the discussed limitations by experts, officials participating in the proceedings and the institutions issuing decisions. Risk assessment should be based on the measurement of all types of recidivism risk factors, including primarily static and then stable dynamic ones.

Sexual abuse in people with spinal cord damage.

Objectives: There are few studies of sexual abuse in people with spinal cord damage (SCD). Objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and impact of sexual abuse in SCD. Design: Survey (web and paper-based). Setting: Australia (August 2013-June 2014). Participants: People with SCD (n = 136); able-bodied controls (n = 220). Interventions: None. Outcome measures: Spinal Cord Injury Secondary Conditions Scale, International SCI Quality of Life Basic Dataset, and the Physical Disability Sexual and Body Esteem scale. Questions regarding demographic and clinical characteristics, sex, sexual orientation, relationship status, disability, sexual interest and satisfaction, and sexual abuse. Results: Most SCD participants were male (n = 92, 67%), the average age was 46 years (SD = 14) and they were median of 11 years (IQR 4-21) after SCD. Of these, 19% (n = 26) reported sexual abuse. Females were much more likely to report being abused (odds ratio 3.3, 95%CI 1.5-7.4; χ2=10.9, P = 0.001). Participants reporting sexual abuse were younger (P = 0.01) and more likely to have been abused before their SCD (69%). There was no significant difference between those with SCD who reported sexual abuse and those who did not regarding their quality of life as a whole (P > 0.1). There was no difference regarding the reporting of sexual abuse between able-bodied and those with SCD (P = 0.1). Conclusion: Sexual abuse was relatively common and was not associated with an adverse relationship with the covariates assessed. Further research is needed to better determine the prevalence of sexual abuse in people with SCD and its impact.

Violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes: uma análise da prevalência e fatores associados / Violencia sexual contra niños y adolescentes: análisis de la predominancia y factores relacionados / Sexual violence against children and adolescents: an analysis of prevalence and associated factors

RESUMO Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência e os fatores associados à violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes, residentes no município de Petrolina/Pernambuco. Método: Estudo do tipo ecológico, realizado com os dados de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual, coletados no Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação e analisados conforme estatística descritiva e inferencial, com regressão logística múltipla. Resultados: Foram registrados 1.232 casos de violência sexual contra crianças e adolescentes, com uma prevalência de 30,6%. A violência sexual apresentou maior chance de ocorrência para vítimas do sexo feminino (Odds Ratio = 11,39), em sua própria residência (Odds Ratio = 1,96), sendo o pai o agressor com mais chance de praticar o ato violento (Odds Ratio = 8,97). O consumo de álcool pelo agressor aumentou a chance para o desfecho (Odds Ratio = 2,26). Conclusão: A prevalência da violência sexual e os fatores associados apontam para a necessidade de implementação de práticas humanizadas dentro de uma rede integrada de serviços de saúde com os demais sistemas públicos, visando a promoção, proteção e defesa dos direitos de crianças e adolescentes.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Analizar la predominancia y los factores asociados a la violencia sexual contra niños y adolescentes residentes en la ciudad de Petrolina, Pernambuco. Método: Se trata de un estudio ecológico realizado con los datos de niños y adolescentes víctimas de violencia sexual, recogidos en el Sistema de Información de Agravantes de Notificaciones y analizados mediante la estadística descriptiva e inferencial, con regresión logística multinomial. Resultados: Se registraron 1.232 casos de violencia sexual contra niños y adolescentes, con una prevalencia del 30,6%. El acaecimiento de la violencia sexual era mayor en las víctimas femeninas (Odds Ratio = 11,39), en su propia residencia (Odds Ratio = 1,96), siendo el padre el agresor con mayor probabilidad de practicar el acto violento (Odds Ratio = 8,97). El consumo de alcohol por parte del agresor aumentaba la posibilidad de ese desenlace (Odds Ratio = 2.26). Conclusión: La predominancia de la violencia sexual y los factores relacionados demuestran la necesidad de implementar prácticas humanizadas dentro de una red integrada de servicios de salud y demás sistemas públicos con el fin de promover, proteger y defender los derechos de los niños y adolescentes.

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence and factors associated with sexual violence against children and adolescents in the city of Petrolina/Pernambuco. Method: Ecological study carried out with data from children and adolescents who were victims of sexual violence, collected in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases and analyzed according to descriptive and inferential statistics, with multiple logistic regression. Results: A total of 1,232 cases of sexual violence against children and adolescents were registered, with a prevalence of 30.6%. Sexual violence was more likely to occur among female victims (Odds Ratio = 11.39), in their own home (Odds Ratio = 1.96), and the father was the most likely aggressor (Odds Ratio = 8.97). Alcohol use by the aggressor increased the chance for the outcome (Odds Ratio = 2.26). Conclusion: The prevalence of sexual violence and associated factors point to the need to implement humane practices within a network of health services integrated with other public systems, with the objective of promoting, protecting and defending the rights of children and adolescents.

Beliefs about Sexual Assault in India and Britain are Explained by Attitudes Toward Women and Hostile Sexism.

As many as one in five women worldwide will be sexually assaulted over the course of her lifetime (United Nations 2008), yet myths that downplay the prevalence and severity of sexual assault are still widely accepted. Are myths about sexual assault (rape myths) more likely to be accepted in cultures that endorse more traditional gender roles and attitudes toward women? To explore the relationships among rape myth acceptance, attitudes toward women, and hostile and benevolent sexism, data were collected from 112 Indian and 117 British adults, samples from two cultures differing widely in their gender role traditionalism. Analyses confirmed a cultural difference in rape myth acceptance, with the more traditional culture, India, accepting myths to a greater extent than the more egalitarian culture, Britain. Indian participants' greater rape myth acceptance was explained by their more traditional gender role attitudes and hostile sexism. We discuss ways in which promoting gender egalitarianism may help to break down negative beliefs and reduce the stigma surrounding sexual assault, especially in India, for example through interventions which increase exposure to women in less traditional roles (e.g., those in positions of power).

Child molesters' cognitive distortions. Conceptualizations of the term. / Znieksztalcenia poznawcze u sprawców wykorzystania seksualnego dziecka. Konceptualizacje pojecia.

The concept of cognitive distortion was created by A. T. Beck and it is one of the key-concepts of cognitive psychotherapy. In the 80s of the twentieth century, researchers began to use it in studies of sexual offending, but with reference to the social learning theory rather than to the theory of cognitive psychotherapy. Subsequent authors continued the use of this term in the determinants of child molestation and defined them as products emerging from specific implicit theory of the offender, the judgements resulting from his beliefs, values and actions, dysfunctional cognitive schemas, deviant cognitive practices undertaken in the interaction of internal and external components of perpetrator's cognitive system and his social practices. The primary theoretical background in the description of the concept of cognitive distortions of child molesters was the social cognition theory, but it was complemented with the assumptions of the theory of cognitive psychotherapy, extended theory of mind and discursive psychology perspective. Particular concepts describe the cognitive distortions relating them to different classes of cognitive phenomena: products, processes and structures, and the only thing they have in common is their incompatibility of their content to the social norms. Giving this concept a normative nature leads to internal contradictions within the conceptions that concern it. Moreover, using it to explain the various processes oversimplifies the picture of this phenomenon and leads to contradictions between theories. It is, therefore, necessary to consider replacing the term cognitive distortions with alternative and more precise concepts.

[The characteristics of sexual offenders abusing alcohol in view of forensic-psychiatric assessments]. / Charakterystyka sprawców przestepstw seksualnych naduzywajacych alkoholu w swietle analizy opiniowania sadowego.

UNLABELLED: The relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual crime appears to be unquestionable. However, the mechanisms that lead to violence and aggression under the influence of alcohol are not entirely understood in this group of offenders. AIM: The aim of this paper was to attempt answering the question: what are the features characterizing sexual offenders declaring alcohol abuse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The research material consisted of 180 forensic psychiatric- sexology assessments issued by experts from Outpatient Psychiatric Clinic in 10 Military Hospital Clinic in Bydgoszcz between 2004 to 2012. A specially designed questionnaire titled "Charter of Diagnosis of Factors Determining Criminal Sexual Activity" has been used. RESULTS: Relevant statistical dependences were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results show that, a alcohol abuse has a sexual criminogenic effect especially in the coincidence that there are sustainable personality abnormalities and organic CNS damage. The conducted study prove that the sexual perpetrators who abuse alcohol have a poor level of social functioning and brought up in dysfunction families having alcoholic problems.

A Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Survey regarding Sex, Contraception and Sexually Transmitted Diseases among Commerce College Students in Mumbai.

INTRODUCTION: One in four Indians is a juvenile. Sexual crimes, pre marital sex, sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies are on the rise. It has been shown that lack of sexuality education can significantly contribute to the above. AIM: We conducted this study to determine the knowledge and awareness of college students regarding sex and related matters and the factors affecting the prevalent outlook and practices of youth towards the same. METHODOLOGY: A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted amongst 500 students of the K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce from December 2012 to March 2013 as per the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 1. Sex knowledge scores of males and females regarding contraception, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. 2. Percentage response of males and females to questions depicting attitudes and perceptions regarding premarital sex and promiscuity, sexual fantasy and masturbation, unwanted pregnancies and contraception. 3. Responses depicting participant's premarital and high risk sexual activities. RESULTS: The mean age was 18.6 ±1.6 years, 46% of participants were female. The total sex related knowledge scores of males and females were 8.2±1.2 and 6.2±2.4 (p<0.0001), respectively. 84% males and 72% females disagree that virginity should be preserved till marriage. Premarital sex was reported by 48% males and 18% females. Out of those who had premarital sex, 68% males and none of the females had more than one sex partner and 21% males and 12% females had used a contraceptive during their sexual encounter. 87% males and 82% females disagree that sex education in secondary schools will cause a rise in premarital intercourse. 40% males and 13% females are of the view that birth control is primarily a female's responsibility. 14% of males and 21% of females (p = 0.2) reported being forced to have sex. CONCLUSION: Participants, especially females, lacked basic information about sexuality and related concepts. Male participants had a very casual attitude towards having sex with multiple partners. Premarital sex is more common than once believed. In the light of our finds and the current scenario, sexuality education is indispensable in order to guide the youth to develop and adopt healthy and appropriate sexual practices.

Violencia sexual en hombres y mujeres jóvenes en Chile: resultados de una encuesta (año 2005) a estudiantes universitarios / Sexual violence in young men and women in Chile: results from a 2005 survey of university student

Background: Experiences of sexual violence in adolescence and young adulthood have received little attention in Chilean public health research and practice. Aim: To describe the prevalence and contexts of sexual violence victimization in a sample of university students in Chile. Material and Methods: A self-administered, quantitative survey including items on sexual violence was completed by 484 female and 466 male students at a public university in Chile in 2005. Results: Thirty-one percent of women and 21 percent of men reported having experienced at least one incident of sexual violence since age 14; the corresponding percentages for the past 12 months were 17 percent and 12 percent, respectively. The perpetrators were identified predominantly as an acquaintance; another important fraction corresponded to a partner or a date. Alcohol or other substances were involved in most cases. Among students who indicated having been assaulted, the incident was reported to the police by none of the men and 2 percent of women. Twenty one percent of women and 9 percent of men reported having experienced sexual violence before age 14. Conclusions: The high prevalence of sexual violence found in this study indicates that this issue merits further public health attention in Chile.