Youth characteristics in relation to their perceptions of sexual consent: a cross-sectional study

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The study examines factors influencing adolescents' perceptions of sexual consent in Switzerland, based on a national survey of 988 participants aged 14-19.
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Up to 15.8% of participants held 'implicit' perceptions of sexual consent, with significant gender differences in definitions of rape and coercion.
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Males, younger adolescents, those with lower socioeconomic status, and youth in non-standard occupations were more likely to have 'implicit' perceptions.
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The findings highlight the complexities and disparities in understanding sexual consent, emphasizing the need for targeted education.
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The study supports integrating sexual consent education into adolescent healthcare, tailored to developmental stages and social contexts.

Bmj Paediatrics Open

by Cyril Knob, Lorraine Chok, Romaine Delacrétaz, Yara Barrense-Dias, Anne- Emmanuelle Ambresin
June 22, 2026

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