Clinical Report: Lifetime Prevalence of Technology-Enabled Sexual Violence
Overview
In a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of 14,358 women in Iceland, lifetime reports of technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) and other coercive sexual acts were frequent, with higher prevalence among younger participants. Unwanted sexual images or messages were the most commonly reported TFSV experience (24.9%); nonconsensual drugging was reported by 18.1%.
Background
Internationally representative estimates of newer forms of sexual violence have been limited, and the source reports that no estimates were previously available for Iceland. The study assessed lifetime TFSV, stealthing, nonconsensual choking or suffocation during sex, and nonconsensual drugging among women in Iceland. Sexual violence is common in the country: the source cites prior estimates of 57% reporting unwanted sexual experiences and 31% reporting sexual assault. The study used the Icelandic Stress-and-Gene-Analysis cohort and compared prevalence across age groups.
Data Highlights
Measure
Overall, n (%)
Age 23–34 years, n (%)
Unwanted sexual images or messages received
3,579 (24.9%)
1,320 (60.7%)
Unwanted requests for sexual images
2,637 (18.4%)
1,095 (50.3%)
Persistent requests for dates or sex after repeated refusals
2,269 (15.8%)
775 (35.6%)
Made to watch pornography against their will
807 (5.6%)
Not reported
Recorded during sex without consent
568 (4.0%)
Not reported
Sexual images distributed online or to others
378 (2.6%)
Not reported
Stealthing
864 (6.0%)
331 (15.2%)
Nonconsensual choking or suffocation during sex
725 (5.0%)
336 (15.4%)
Nonconsensual drugging
2,594 (18.1%)
738 (33.9%)
Key Findings
The analytic sample comprised 14,358 women who completed the 2024 follow-up; mean age was 50.3 years (SD, 13.2).
Unwanted sexual images or messages were the most frequently reported TFSV experience overall (24.9%), followed by unwanted requests for sexual images (18.4%) and persistent requests for dates or sex after repeated refusals (15.8%).
Other reported TFSV experiences included being made to watch pornography against one’s will (5.6%), being recorded during sex without consent (4.0%), and having sexual images distributed online or to others (2.6%).
Lifetime prevalence of other queried coercive acts was 6.0% for stealthing, 5.0% for nonconsensual choking or suffocation during sex, and 18.1% for nonconsensual drugging. For drugging, 10.8% responded “I suspect” and 7.3% responded “Yes.”
Prevalence was higher among younger participants. In the 23–34-year group, 60.7% reported receiving unwanted sexual images, 50.3% unwanted requests for sexual images, and 35.6% persistent requests for dates or sex despite refusals.
The study was cross-sectional; age and birth-year cohort were collinear in the 2024 sample, so the age-group differences do not separately distinguish age from cohort effects.
Clinical Implications
The study documents lifetime reports of digital and other coercive sexual experiences among women in Iceland, with higher reported prevalence in younger age groups. The supplied source does not evaluate clinical screening or care interventions, so it does not establish specific clinical recommendations.
Conclusion
In this Icelandic cohort, lifetime TFSV and other coercive sexual acts were reported frequently, particularly by younger participants. The findings provide age-stratified prevalence estimates from a large national sample.
by Audrey R. Murchland, Edda Bjork Thordardottir, Arna Hauksdóttir, Jóhanna Jakobsdóttir, Marín Dögg Bjarnadóttir, Gunnar Tómasson, Rebecca B. Lawn, Thor Aspelund, Karestan C. Koenen, Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir
