SG Inst (BMBF), commonly known as the "Speak up!" study
Survey of experiences of sexualised violence by young people and adolescents in youth welfare facilities and boarding schools and derivation of recommendations for practical action
Keywords
Youth welfare centre, boarding school, adolescents, sexual violence, peer violence
Project management
Co-operation partner
Goethe University Frankfurt am Main
Project duration
02/2013-10/2016
Project description
The topic of sexual violence in educational institutions has received widespread attention due to cases of sexual abuse in residential care and educational institutions. However, there were hardly any studies that could provide reliable information about the frequency, manifestations and conditions under which sexual violence occurs in institutions. The aim of the project was to interview young people aged 15 and over who are accommodated in a residential youth welfare centre or boarding school about their experiences of sexual violence. At the end of the project, the results were to be used as a basis for drawing up recommendations for action for educational professionals in institutions for dealing with sexual violence.
The research design comprised a quantitative survey based on questionnaires as well as qualitative surveys based on group discussions and individual interviews with young people affected by sexual violence. The survey took into account both victim and perpetrator perspectives and was conducted in 12 boarding schools and 20 youth welfare centres across Germany.
Based on the results, recommendations for action were compiled in the publication "Dealing with sexual violence - a practical guide for educational professionals in institutions for children and young people"(pdf).
Publications and materials produced
Allroggen, M., Ohlert, J., Rau, T. & Fegert, J.M. (2017). Sexual Violence by Juveniles in Institutions. A Descriptive Study on Prevalence and Circumstances. International Journal Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 1-15. DOI:10.1177?0306624X17719292.
Allroggen, M., Ohlert, J., Rau, T. & Fegert, J. M. (2018). Sexual Abuse Prevalence Rates of Residents in Institutional Care Settings Compared with a Population Representative Sample. Residential Treatment for Children & Youth, 35, 4, 286-296. DOI: 10.1080/0886571X.2018.1455561
Allroggen, M., Rau, T., Ohlert, J. & Fegert, J. M. (2017). Lifetime prevalence and incidence of sexual victimisation of adolescents in institutional care. Child Abuse & Neglect, 66 (23-30). .
Ohlert, J., Seidler, C., Rau, T., Fegert, J. & Allroggen, M. (2017). Comparison of psychopathological symptoms in adolescents who experienced sexual violence as a victim and/or as a perpetrator. Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, 26 (4), 373-387.
Rau, T., Letsch, J., Wazlawik, M., Christmann, B., Fegert, J.M. & Allroggen, M. (2017). Before researchers can ask the first question!
Difficulties in field access and recruitment of study participants in childhood and adolescence in research projects on sexual violence in an educational context. Social passages. Soc Passages, 9:97-112. DOI 10.1007/s12592-017-0252-7.
Rau, T. Ohlert, J., Fegert JM. & Allroggen, M. (2016). Disclosure of adolescents in youth welfare centres and boarding schools after experiencing sexual violence. Practice of Child Psychology and Child Psychiatry. 65 (637): 638-654.
Rau, T., Ohlert, J., Fegert, J. M., Andresen, S., Pohling, A. & Allroggen, M. (2018). Childhood experiences of adolescents in boarding schools. A comparison with adolescents from youth welfare centres and the general population. Practice of Child Psychology and Child Psychiatry, 67, 31-47.
Rau, T., Pohling, A., Andresen, S., Fegert, J.M., & Allroggen, M. (2019). Adolescents' experiences of sexual violence in residential and boarding schools. Results of a Germany-wide survey. In M. Wazlawik, H.-J. Voß, A. Retkowski, A. Henningsen, & A. Dekker (Eds.), Sexual violence in educational contexts. Current research and reflections (pp. 25 - 38). Wiesbaden: Springer.
Rau, T. (2015). Survey of adolescents on sexual violence in youth welfare centres and boarding schools in Germany, Sozial Extra, 5, 38-40.
Rau, T., Rehmann, P., Demant, MZ., Drews, M., Andresen, S. & Allroggen, M. (2014). Study on sexual violence. Accessibility of adolescents in youth welfare centres and boarding schools on issues of sexual violence. KJug, 59(4), 135-137.
Contact address
Supported by:
Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF)
