Relationship between non-disclosure of sexual violence and number of incidents, polyvictimization, mental health problems and violence perpetration among children and youth in Latin American countries.

backgroundNon-disclosure of sexual violence (SV), or not telling anyone about any SV experience, has been associated with decreased likelihood of accessing services and receiving support. Little is known about factors affecting the non-disclosure of SV among children and youth in Latin America.

methodsData from Colombia, Honduras and El Salvador Violence Against Children and Youth Surveys were combined (females=6301; males=6549). Weighted prevalence and 95% CIs were estimated, and logistic regression models assessed associations between non-disclosure of SV and other factors.

resultsOverall, 38% of females and 55% of males who experienced SV did not disclose any SV. Females experiencing two or more types of SV (adjusted OR (aOR)=2.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 3.8) or two or more incidents of SV (aOR=2.6, 95% CI 1.1 to 5.9) had higher odds of non-disclosure; females who experienced unwanted attempted sex only (aOR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.6) had lower odds of non-disclosure compared with female SV victims who did not. Males who experienced physically forced sex (aOR=4.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 15.8) or polyvictimization (aOR=3.1, 95% CI 1.2 to 7.6) had higher odds of non-disclosure; males who experienced two or more types of SV (aOR=0.4, 95% CI 0.1 to 0.8), or two or more incidents of unwanted attempted sex (aOR=0.4, 95% CI 0.2 to 0.9) had lower odds of non-disclosure compared with male SV victims who did not.

conclusionsNon-disclosure of SV varied for males and females in these countries. Further understanding of factors influencing non-disclosure of SV is critical to improve disclosure and help-seeking behaviours among survivors of SV.