The Prevalence of Unwanted Sexual Experiences
The Male Survivors Partnership (MSP), hosted by Mankind UK, commissioned Savanta to explore the prevalence of unwanted sexual experiences among UK adults. A total of 3,092 UK adults aged 18 and over took part in the survey. The sample was weighted to be representative of the UK population by age, gender, region and social grade.
Respondents were asked whether they had experienced any of 13 unwanted sexual experiences during their lifetime. This included 11 experiences that are legally defined as sexual offences, as well as 2 additional experiences that are not considered crimes. Respondents who reported experiencing one or more of these experiences were also asked about the gender of the perpetrator or perpetrators.
Key findings from the research include:
• 31% of men reported experiencing at least one of the 13 listed unwanted sexual experiences during their lifetime.
• 28% of men reported experiencing at least one of the 11 unwanted sexual experiences that are legally defined as sexual offences.
• 13% of men and 15% of women reported experiencing unwanted sexual activity with someone over the age of 16 while they were under the age of 16.
Overall Prevalence
The charts below summarise the proportion of men who reported experiencing at least one unwanted sexual experience during their lifetime, alongside the proportion who reported experiencing at least one unwanted sexual experience that is legally defined as a sexual offence.
Types of Unwanted Sexual Experiences
The chart below shows the percentage of men who reported experiencing each unwanted sexual experience during their lifetime.
Respondents could select more than one unwanted sexual experience. As a result, the percentages shown below do not total 100%.
Methodology
The survey was conducted online by Savanta on behalf of the Male Survivors Partnership (MSP), hosted by Mankind UK. A total of 3,350 UK adults aged 18+ were invited to take part, of whom 3,092 consented and completed the survey
Respondents were asked whether they had experienced any of 13 unwanted sexual experiences during their lifetime and could select all experiences that applied. This included 11 experiences that are legally defined as sexual offences, together with two additional experiences that are not considered crimes. Those who reported one or more experiences were then asked about the gender of the perpetrator or perpetrators and, again, could select more than one response where appropriate.
As respondents could report multiple unwanted sexual experiences and multiple perpetrators, the perpetrator data should not be interpreted as a direct one-to-one match with each unwanted sexual experience.
Results shown on this page, including respondent totals and percentages, have been weighted to be representative of the UK population by age, gender, region and social grade. Unless otherwise stated, all figures shown are weighted results.
The full survey results are available to download below.
