Adolescent risk-taking behavior and the occurrence of sexual assault

C. Jenny
Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98104.

The medical records of adolescent sexual assault victims presenting to Harborview Medical Center's Emergency Trauma Center, Seattle, were examined to determine behavioral risk factors preceding the assault. Twenty-six percent of the group were impaired by alcohol or other drugs during the assault. Forty-six percent of the assaults occurred after social interactions with strangers in unprotected surroundings. Five percent occurred after adolescents "hitchhiked" and accepted rides from strangers. Many of the assaults occurred between 10 PM and 4 AM. The incidence of injuries in victims was high (39%), while the incidence of serious injury was zero. Risk-taking behaviors were commonly encountered in adolescent sexual assault victims.