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Social movements to denounce and combat sexual violence have multiplied in recent years, both offline and online. Social media offer a new space for victims and survivors to share their experiences of sexual violence.

Disclosure of childhood sexual abuse can occur in a variety of contexts, at any stage of life, and be voluntary or involuntary. Some victims decide to disclose their childhood experiences for the first time in adulthood. Children are less likely to disclose sexual abuse than adults, which can be explained by a number of developmental factors. For example, children may not have the ability to…

The disclosure of sexual violence experienced in adulthood can represent the culmination of a long decision-making process during which the person assesses the risks and benefits associated with disclosure. Despite social movements such as #MeToo and the increasing media coverage of allegations by adult victims of sexual violence, many victims choose not to talk about their experiences for…

Anyone can be sexually assaulted during his or her lifetime. However, children and young people with certain characteristics account for a larger share of sexual abuse victims. Few factors have as yet been clearly identified by researchers as increasing the risk that a child or a young person will be sexually abused. However, it is well known that a child or young person’s…

Anyone can be sexually assaulted during his or her lifetime. However, adults with certain characteristics account for a larger share of sexual assault victims. The risk factors associated with being sexually assaulted during adulthood have been studied primarily for female victims and are related to a wide range of sexual assault situations, including intimate partner sexual assault in a…

There are many factors that can lead a person to commit sexual assault. Most cases of sexual assault are symptomatic, at the individual level, of various unfulfilled needs, traumatic situations or events, and general development problems.

Victims of child sexual abuse can face immediate psychological consequences as well as chronic effects that can impact their adjustment throughout their development.

Sexual assault in adulthood can have an immediate and direct negative impact, such as injury, physical trauma or death. It can also lead indirectly to a variety of effects on physical and mental health and well-being.

Sexual assault has consequences not only for the victim, but also for society as a whole through the associated social and economic costs.

Sexual violence refers to any form of violence, with or without contact (e.g., sexual touching, voyeurism, sexual harassment), manifested sexually or targeting sexuality. In sports, sexual violence against young people can be perpetrated by fellow athletes, by people in positions of authority, such as coaching staff, or by spectators.