Non-contact sexual violence and its association with sexual & psychosocial health in Iranian women: a national cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND

Non-contact sexual violence (NCSV) and its trauma remain understudied, limiting prevention and legal protection. This national study examined NCSV patterns and compared sexual, psychological, and social health among women with and without NCSV experiences globally.

METHODS

A controlled cross-sectional study recruited 540 married women aged 18-76 years from all 31 provinces of Iran between November 2022 and June 2023 using online and in-person convenience sampling. Participants were categorized into NCSV + and NCSV- groups. Demographic data, NCSV patterns, and standardized measures of sexual, psychological, and social health were collected. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and backward logistic regression.

RESULTS

Overall, 16.9% of women reported experiencing NCSV, with a mean age of victimization of 12.3 (5-32) years. Nearly half were under 13, 36.6% were 13-18, and 13.8% were over 18 at exposure. Exhibitionism was reported by 86.1%. Most incidents (44.8%) occurred once and were mainly perpetrated by strangers (68.4%). 74% of survivors never disclosed the experience. While univariate analyses showed negative associations between NCSV and multiple sexual and psychological variables, backward logistic regression identified higher risks of depression, sexual dysfunction, sexual avoidance, and lower religiosity.

CONCLUSION

The reported prevalence and severity, the wide age range of survivors, and the silence of three in four women highlight that NCSV occurs across diverse groups and warrants attention. These findings also suggest the potential harm associated with NCSV and underscore the importance of raising awareness, providing education on sexual self-care, and ensuring access to support services.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.