One In 16 Women's First Sexual Encounter Was Forced According To New Study

A study released Monday revealed that a majority of women’s first sexual experience was forced in some manner.

The study was conducted by JAMA Internal Medicine based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s “National Survey for Family Growth.” The CDC’s survey is typically used to gather information about men and women’s health in relation to family and married life.

JAMA asked over 13,000 women from the ages of 18 to 44 if their first sexual encounter was forced or consensual, with 6.5% saying it was forced. It revealed 56% of those women said they were verbally forced, 46% were pinned down, and 25% were physically assaulted. The average age for most women’s first encounter was found to be 15 and their “partner” was a man who was six years older. However, it does not clarify if the “partner” was someone known to the woman or a stranger.

For context, JAMA said this number equates to one out of every 16 women, or nearly 3.4 million.

“Any sexual encounter (with penetration) that occurs against somebody’s will is rape. If somebody is verbally pressured into having sex, it’s just as much rape,” lead author and Harvard Medical School researcher Laura Hawks said.

The study also listed the number of physical or mental ailment’s victims are likely to suffer as a result of the encounter. Potential problems included issues with ovulation and menstruation, pelvic inflammatory disease, drug use, or unwanted first pregnancies.

“Our culture teaches people not to be raped instead of teaching people not to rape,” said sex education specialist Dan Rice.