Dating & Sexual Violence in NYC Public High School Students Cari Olson, MPH Division of Epidemiology NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene With Catherine Stayton & Fatima Ashraf

Overview Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data Trends in physical dating violence (PDV) and forced sex Profile of students who report PDV / forced sex Factors associated with PDV / forced sex

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) Survey to monitor the risk behaviors that contribute to morbidity, mortality, and social problems among youth

What is the YRBS? Part of CDCs Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System DOHMH and DOE: Citywide, expanded sample Every 2 years 2-stage cluster sample Public high schools, classrooms Self-administered, voluntary and anonymous 2005 survey 91 high schools Response rate >60%

Questions of Interest During the past 12 months, did your boyfriend or girlfriend ever hit, slap, or physically hurt you on purpose? Yes / No Physical Dating Violence = PDV Have you ever been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when you did not want to? Yes / No

PDV has increased among all NYC students, overtaking U.S. rate New York City YRBS and CDCs Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System NYC estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Forced sex has increased among all students, meeting U.S. rate New York City YRBS and CDCs Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System NYC estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

PDV rates do not differ between boys and girls, but girls are more likely to report forced sex than boys New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population. 28,300 NYC students; 53% female 21,100 NYC students; 64% female

PDV and forced-sex rates do not vary widely between grades New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

PDV rates in boys and girls are similar across racial/ethnic groups New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

High forced-sex rates among girls driven by higher rate in black girls New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

What factors are associated with PDV and forced sex? Other Victimization Violence-related Behaviors Depression and Suicidality Alcohol and Drug Use Sexual Behaviors

Other experiences as a victim

Students who report ever having been forced to have sex have higher rates of past-year PDV Among girls who report forced sex ever Among boys who report forced sex ever 9% of other girls report PDV7% of other boys report PDV

How many students reported victim experiences overall? Being threatened or injured with a weapon at school (past month): 8% (11% boys, 5% girls) Not attending school because felt unsafe on the way to or at school (past month): 9% (same for boys and girls) New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Weapon-victimization is more common among students with PDV experience and those who report forced sex New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students with PDV experience and those who report forced sex are more likely to miss school due to safety New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Violence-related Behaviors

How many students report having violence-related experiences overall? Been in a physical fight in the past 12 months: 36% (41% boys; 30% girls) Carried any weapon in the past 12 months: 16% (24% boys; 9% girls) Been in a gang in the past 12 months: 12% (15% boys; 9% girls) New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Fighting is more common among students with PDV experience and those who report forced sex New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report PDV or forced sex are more likely to carry a weapon New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students with PDV experience and those who report forced sex are more likely to have belonged to a gang New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Depression and Suicidality

How many students reported mental health risk factors overall? Felt sad or hopeless every day for 2 weeks or more (past year): 32% (24% boys; 40% girls) Attempted suicide (past year): 10% (7% boys; 12% girls) Attempted suicide and needed medical attention as a result (past year): 3% (3% boys; 2% girls) New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report PDV and forced sex are more likely to feel sad/hopeless New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population. Felt sad or hopeless almost every day for 2 or more weeks in the past 12 months

Students who report PDV or forced sex are more likely to attempt suicide New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report DV are more likely to have been injured in a suicide attempt New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Alcohol and Drug Use

How many students report drinking and using drugs overall? Drank 5 or more drinks in a row on at least one of the past 30 days: 14% (15% boys; 13% girls) Used cocaine ever: 4% (4% boys; 3% girls) New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report PDV or forced sex are more likely to binge drink New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report PDV or forced sex are more likely to have ever used cocaine New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Sexual Behaviors

How many students report these sexual behaviors overall? Had recent sex (past 3 months): 30% (29% boys; 30% girls) Have been or gotten someone pregnant: 12% (10% boys; 15% girls) Used a condom at last sex: 72% (77% boys; 67% girls) New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students with PDV / forced sex experience are more likely to report current sexual activity New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who have PDV and forced sex experiences are more likely to have been / gotten someone pregnant New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report PDV and forced sex are less likely to have used a condom at last sex New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population. Limited to sexually active students

Limitations Associations can be examined, but causality and directionality cannot be inferred Generalizable only to public high school students Private school students, dropouts not included Poor attendance potential limitation Self-report May cause under- or over-reporting of some behaviors

THANK YOU!

Extra Slides

DV and forced sex have increased among girls New York City YRBS Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

DV has increased among boys New York City YRBS Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Carrying a weapon to school has decreased; carrying a gun has remained steady New York City YRBS Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population. Weapon to school 1997 v 2005: p<0.05

Students who report being in a gang in past year have higher rates of PDV New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Forced-sex rates are also higher among gang members New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.

Students who report ever having been forced to have sex have higher rates of past-year PDV New York City YRBS 2005 Estimates are weighted to NYC public high school population.