Sexual Violence Among Teens and Young Adults

In the US, approximately 1 in 9 girls and 1 in 53 boys under the age of 18 experience sexual abuse and/or assault by an adult. Further, females aged 16-19 are four times more likely to be victims of rape, attempted rape, and/or sexual assault.^{1, 2}  Sexual violence against teens and young adults as an age group is a wide scope encompassing intersectional experiences among many important topics. This article intends to provide an overview of of this multifaceted issue of sexual violence among teens and young adults. 

Rape Culture ³

Rape culture is a phenomenon that normalizes sexual violence by downplaying its severity, excusing perpetrators, and blaming victims. Rape culture is embedded within the media, schools/universities, and social settings. Young people, especially teens, are influenced by these messages, which can shape their attitudes toward consent, relationships, and self-worth. The normalization of sexual violence sets the stage for harmful interactions and makes it difficult to recognize abuse and seek help. In addition, the pressure to conform to social expectations can also influence how young people navigate relationships.

Teen Sexual Abuse v. Child Sexual Abuse ^3-5

While sexual violence can affect all individuals of all ages, the distinction between teen sexual abuse and child sexual abuse is important to understand how societal expectations and cultural influences shape these experiences. Although child sexual abuse includes all children/adolescents from birth to age of consent (depending on state legislation) there are completely different expectations and understanding of sexual assault between children and teens, particularly for girls. Teens and young adults encounter disbelief and can experience intense victim blaming, like asking if the teen did anything to entice the perpetrator like what they were wearing. Teens and young adults are often held to unfair expectations, like standards in their ability to navigate relationships, even though they are legally under the age of consent. Younger victims may be viewed as more innocent and credible when reporting. However, both groups require support, justice, and recognition that abuse is never the fault of the victim, regardless of age. 

Toxic Masculinity and Teenage Boys ⁶ 

A significant factor that shapes the experiences of sexual violence is toxic masculinity. Toxic masculinity is a set of societal expectations that promote aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression expected of boys and men. Teenage boys, in particular, are often pressured to conform to these ideals, which can lead to harmful attitudes toward relationships, sex, and consent. Toxic masculinity teaches young men that their value is tied to their sexual “conquests” and that vulnerability or sensitivity is a sign of weakness. Furthermore, it reinforces heteronormativity by equating masculinity with dominance over women and dismissing men who reject these norms, stigmatizing them and questioning their sexuality/manhood. These ideals perpetuate behaviors that influence a young boy/man’s understanding of consent and healthy relationships. 

The Sexualization of Teenage Girls and Victim-Blaming ^{3, 7}

While teenage boys face pressures from toxic masculinity, teenage girls are often subjected to the sexualization of their bodies, which shapes how they are viewed by others and their self-image. This sexualization objectifies young girls and creates an unsafe environment that increases the likelihood of young girls to be targeted for sexual violence. The narrative around teenage girls is centered around unrealistic expectations, such as the need to avoid promiscuity, placing undue pressure on their choices and behaviors When sexual violence occurs among teenage girls, this sexualization may result in victim-blaming, where the responsibility for the assault is placed on the victim instead of the perpetrator. Young girls are frequently asked what they were wearing, whether they had been drinking, or if they had given mixed signals. This culture of victim-blaming not only silences victim-survivors but also perpetuates the idea that sexual violence is a consequence of the victim’s behavior rather than the actions of the perpetrator. 

Additionally, girls who develop early often face adultification, where they are perceived as older and more mature than they actually are. This bias can lead to increased vulnerability to sexual violence, as they are often treated as though they are responsible for unwanted attention or expected to navigate adult situations beyond their capacity. Black girls, in particular, face even harsher consequences due to racialized adultification, making them more susceptible to sexual violence, less likely to be believed when reporting abuse, and more frequently subjected to victim-blaming. further challenges when it comes to sexual violence due to adultification. Adultification involves the perception of Black girls being older and more mature. This bias leads to increased vulnerability to sexual violence, harsher judgment when they report abuse, and a greater likelihood of victim blaming. Intersectionality must be considered in discussions of sexual violence to ensure that all victims receive the support and justice they deserve, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic background.

Grooming ⁵

Grooming is a manipulative process where perpetrators build trust with their underaged victims to exploit them sexually. It is a tactic rooted in power dynamics rather than age alone, as abusers seek out individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as isolation, low self-esteem, or a lack of strong support systems. Perpetrators often position themselves in roles of authority and trust within communities, such as coaches, teachers, religious leaders, or mentors, giving them easy access to potential victims. Grooming extends beyond the individual being targeted; abusers frequently manipulate family members and close friends to lower suspicion and create an environment where the victim feels unable to seek help. By carefully constructing an illusion of care and mentorship, they normalize inappropriate behaviors and gradually erode boundaries, making it difficult for victims to recognize the abuse. Because grooming is often misunderstood, victims may face blame for their own abuse, reinforcing harmful narratives that overlook the calculated tactics of the perpetrator. Recognizing these patterns is critical in preventing abuse and supporting survivors.

Purity Culture ⁶

Purity culture emphasizes chastity and abstinence, also it plays a significant role in shaping the experiences of teens and young adults when it comes to sexual violence. By focusing on the idea that one’s worth is tied to their sexual purity, purity culture reinforces gender roles and stigmatizes those who do not conform and creates an environment of fear and confusion. Promoting purity culture additionally excludes conversations on sexual health that includes healthy relationships and consent. Those who fall victim to sexual violence who were brought up in purity culture may feel isolated and ashamed because they believe they failed to live up to the standards imposed by purity culture. This can further complicate their ability to seek support and/or report abuse, as they fear judgment and rejection from their peers, family, and community.

Peer Pressure and Social Media ^9-11

Peer pressure and social media play crucial roles in shaping the behaviors and attitudes of teens and young adults regarding sexual violence. Peer pressure can often lead individuals to engage in harmful behaviors or silence their concerns about incidents of sexual violence, as they may feel the need to conform to group norms. This pressure can discourage open discussions about consent, boundaries, and healthy relationships, that are essential to preventing sexual violence. In the age of technology, social media amplifies the problem by providing platforms where harmful stereotypes and inappropriate behavior are often glorified. Technology has become a place where young people not only encounter sexual violence in the form of cyberbullying, image-based sexual abuse, and harassment but also internalize messages that can promote toxic masculinity and the sexualization of women. Additionally, young people are often exposed to unrealistic portrayals of sex through pornography, which can shape expectations and contribute to harmful behaviors that disregards consent and promotes unrealistic expectations of sex.

Empowering and Advocating for the Rights of Children and Young Adults

To address sexual violence among teens and young adults, it is crucial to create an enviroment that promotes open dialogue, education, and empowerment. This involves challenging norms of rape culture, toxic masculinity, victim-blaming, and purity culture that contribute to the normalization of sexual violence. Schools, communities, and families must work together to educate young people about healthy relationships, consent, and the importance of setting and respecting boundaries. In addition, empowering young people to advocate for their rights by creating spaces where people can openly discuss their experiences, ask questions, and seek support without fear of judgment or retaliation. Providing young people with the tools to recognize and address sexual violence will not only help protect teens and young adults but will also contribute to a cultural shift rooted in respect, equality, and safety.

Sources

1. United States Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. Child Maltreatment Survey, 2016 (2018).
2. https://rainn.org/statistics/children-and-teens?utm_source 
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6. Owens, B. C., Hall, M. E. L., & Anderson, T. L. (2021). The Relationship between Purity Culture and Rape Myth Acceptance. Journal of Psychology and Theology, 49(4), 405-418. https://doi.org/10.1177/0091647120974992 
7. Thompson, M. K. (2020). Sexual exploitation and the adultified Black girl. John’s L. Rev., 94, 971.
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9. Powell, A., & Henry, N. (2017). Sexual violence in a digital age (Vol. 25). London: Palgrave Macmillan.
10. Mendes, K., Keller, J., & Ringrose, J. (2019). Digitized narratives of sexual violence: Making sexual violence felt and known through digital disclosures. New media & society, 21(6), 1290-1310.
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