Non-Consensual Sex among Japanese Women in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large-Scale Nationwide Survey-Based Study

Suzuki, Tomoya; Kaneda, Yudai; Kotera, Yasuhiro; Tanimoto, Tetsuya; Ozaki, Akihiko; Bhandari, Divya; Horiuchi, Sayaka; Tabuchi, Takahiro

Abstract

Background: Non-consensual sex including rape and sexual assault has been a global concern and may have been influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, however the information on this topic is limited. Therefore, our objective was to survey the incidence rate of non-consensual sex among Japanese women aged 15-79 years between April to September 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan.

Materials and Methods: We utilized the data obtained from a nationwide, cross-sectional internet survey conducted in Japan between August and September 2020. Sampling weights were applied to calculate national estimates, and multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with non-consensual sex. Data was extracted from a cross-sectional, web-based, self-administered survey of approximately 2.2 million individuals from the general public, including in men and women.

Results: Excluding men and responses with inconsistencies, the final analysis included 12,809 women participants, with 138 (1.1%) reporting experiencing non-consensual sex within a five-month period. Being aged 15–29 years and having a worsened mental or economic status were associated with experiencing non-consensual sex.

Conclusions Early intervention to prevent individuals from becoming victims of sexual harm should be extended to economically vulnerable and young women, especially during times of societal upheaval such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Japan should prioritize the implementation of comprehensive education on the concept of sexual consent.

Citation

Suzuki, T., Kaneda, Y., Kotera, Y., Tanimoto, T., Ozaki, A., Bhandari, D., …Tabuchi, T. Non-Consensual Sex among Japanese Women in the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Large-Scale Nationwide Survey-Based Study

• Working Paper Type: Working Paper
• Deposit Date: Feb 24, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 28, 2024
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/31618763
• Publisher URL: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.02.16.24302967v1
• Additional Information: This article is a preprint and has not been peer-reviewed. It reports new medical research that has yet to be evaluated and so should not be used to guide clinical practice.