Table 1

Combined physical and sexual abuse in childhood and/or adolescence: distribution of women in cumulative abuse Levels 1–6

Sexual abuse
No abuseTouched onlyForced sex as child or adolescentForced sex as child and adolescent
(N, %)(N, %)(N, %)(N, %)
Physical abuse*No abuseLevel 1
(22 327, 35)
Level 2
(5796, 9)
Level 3
(1579, 2)
Level 4
(287, <1)
Mild to moderateLevel 2
(18 215, 28)
Level 3
(7080, 11)
Level 4
(2791, 4)
Level 5
(710, 1)
Severe as child or adolescentLevel 3
(1154, 2)
Level 4
(649, 1)
Level 5
(492, 1)
Level 6
(154, <1)
Severe as child and adolescentLevel 4
(1189, 2)
Level 5
(689, 1)
Level 6
(547, 1)
Level 6
(584, 1)
  • * Physical abuse severity: mild to moderate abuse (hit, pushed, grabbed or shoved); severe abuse as child or adolescent (kicked, bitten, punched, choked, burned, or physically attacked as a child or adolescent); and severe abuse as child and adolescent (kicked, bitten, punched, choked, burned, or physically attacked as a child and as an adolescent).

  • Sexual abuse severity: mild to moderate abuse (touched in a sexual way as child and/or adolescent), severe child or adolescent abuse (forced sexual activity as a child or adolescent), and severe child and adolescent abuse (forced sexual activity as a child and as an adolescent).