Victimization experiences of adolescents in Malaysia
Abstract
Purpose There has been little community-based research regarding multiple-type victimization experiences of young people in Asia, and none in Malaysia. This study aimed to estimate prevalence, explore gender differences, as well as describe typical perpetrators and family and social risk factors among Malaysian adolescents.Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1,870 students was conducted in 20 randomly selected secondary schools in Selangor state (mean age: 16 years; 58.8% female). The questionnaire included items on individual, family, and social background and different types of victimization experiences in childhood.Results Emotional and physical types of victimization were most common. A significant proportion of adolescents (22.1%) were exposed to more than one type, with 3% reporting all four types. Compared with females, males reported more physical, emotional, and sexual victimization. The excess of sexual victimization among boys was due to higher exposure to noncontact events, whereas prevalence of forced intercourse was equal for both genders (3.0%). Although adult male perpetrators predominate, female adults and peers of both genders also contribute substantially. Low quality of parent-child relationships and poor school and neighborhood environments had the strongest associations with victimization. Family structure (parental divorce, presence of step-parent or single parent, or household size), parental drug use, and rural/urban location were not influential in this sample.Conclusion This study extends the analysis of multiple-type victimization to a Malaysian population. Although some personal, familial, and social factors correlate with those found in western nations, there are cross-cultural differences, especially with regard to the nature of sexual violence based on gender and the influence of family structure.
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Research emerging in Southeast Asia is showing more male sexual victimization.
“While most child sexual abuse prevalence studies show that more females are victims of sexual abuse than males (Stoltenborgh et al., 2011; Pereda et al., 2009; Barth et al., 2012), research emerging in Southeast Asia (Chiang et al., 2016; Choo et al., 2011) are showing more male sexual victimization.”
From Safe schools for teens: Preventing sexual abuse of urban poor teens, proof-of-concept study-improving teachers'and students'knowledge, skills and attitudes (2020) · cites this paper as Choo et al., 2011
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- Authors
- Choo, W.-Y., Dunne, M. P., Marret, M. J., Fleming, M., & Wong, Y.-L.
- Affiliations
- Queensland University of Technology (AU)
- University of Malaya (MY)
- Corresponding author
- Choo, Wan-Yuen
- Venue
- Journal of Adolescent Health
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2011-12
- Volume
- 49
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 627-634
- ISSN
- 1054-139X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2141306344
- Cited by
- 78
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 8 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 5 · 2016: 6 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 2
- FWCI
- 5.17
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Adolescent Health (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Bullying, Victimization, and Aggression
- Keywords
- adolescent victimization, sexual victimization, physical victimization, gender differences, perpetrators, family risk factors, parent-child relationship, school environment, neighborhood environment, child victimization, Malaysia, cross-cultural comparison
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child Abuse, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Malaysia, Male, Risk Factors, Crime Victims
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