Objective: To determine the extent of sexual victimization in four groups of Spanish adolescents based on their own reports. Method: An observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted. Sexual victimization was assessed by seven questions included in the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. The samples were composed of 1,105 adolescents (mean age [M] = 14.52, standard deviation [SD] = 1.76) from seven secondary schools; 149 adolescents (M = 14.28; SD = 1.45) from 14 child and adolescent mental health centers; 129 adolescents (M = 14.59, SD = 1.62) institutionalized in 18 long-term (78.3%) and short-term (21.7%) residential centers belonging to the child protection system; and 101 adolescents (M = 16.08, SD = 0.99) recruited from three detention centers (77.2%) and five open regime teams or follow-up services for court orders for minors not requiring loss of freedom (22.8%). Results: The extent of lifetime sexual victimization ranged from 14.7% of the adolescents in the community sample to 23.5% of youths attended in mental health services, 35.6% of youths involved in the juvenile justice system, and 36.4% of children protected by the child welfare system. Most of the victims were female, the only exception being the group of male victims from the juvenile justice system. Conclusions: Sexual victimization of children is widespread in Spain and its distribution differs depending on the group of children under study.
Objetivo: Conocer la extensión de la victimización sexual de menores en cuatro grupos de jóvenes españoles/as a partir de sus propios reportes. Método: Estudio observacional, transversal y multicéntrico. La victimización sexual se evaluó a partir de siete preguntas del Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. Se encuestó a 1105 adolescentes (edad media [M] = 14,52; desviación típica [DT] = 1,76) de siete centros de educación secundaria, 149 adolescentes (M = 14,28; DT = 1,45) de 14 centros de salud mental infantojuvenil, 129 adolescentes (M = 14,59; DT = 1,62) institucionalizados en 18 centros residenciales (78,3%) y de acogida (21,7%) del sistema de protección, y 101 adolescentes (M = 16,08; DT = 0,99) reclutados/as en tres centros cerrados de justicia juvenil (77,2%) y cinco equipos de medio abierto (22,8%). Resultados: La extensión de la victimización sexual oscila entre un 14,7% a lo largo de la vida del total de la muestra comunitaria, un 23,5% en los/las jóvenes atendidos/as en centros de salud mental, un 35,6% de los/las jóvenes involucrados/as en el sistema de justicia juvenil y un 36,4% de los/las menores atendidos/as por el sistema de protección. Existe una mayoría de víctimas de sexo femenino, excepto en menores de justicia juvenil. Conclusiones: La victimización sexual de menores es un problema extendido en nuestro país, que se distribuye de manera diferencial en función del colectivo que se analice.