Sexual Victimization and Completed Suicide Among Danish Female Adults

• NCJ Number: 239767
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 18 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2012 Pages: 552-561
• Author(s): Jaimie L. Gradus; Ping Qin; Alisa K. Lincoln; Matthew Miller; Elizabeth Lawler; Henrik T. Sorensen; Timothy L. Lash
• Date Published: May 2012
• Length: 10 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the association between sexual victimization and completed suicide.

Abstract

Although sexual victimization has been associated with suicidal behaviors, its association with completed suicide has not been examined. The authors investigated this association among Danish women using longitudinal data and a conservative definition of victimization. This population-based case-control study included 476 suicide cases and 12,010 matched controls. Seven cases (1.5 percent) and five controls (0.04 percent) experienced sexual victimization that was reported to the police and resulted in a conviction. Sexual victimization was associated with a 14-fold increased rate of suicide, controlling for confounders and matching (95 percent CI: [3.4, 59]). Completed suicide is an important potential outcome of sexual victimization, warranting further examination. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage Journals.