Sexual Coercion among Young Women in Thailand: Results from WHO Multi-Country Study on Domestic Violence against Women

Wassana Im-em, University of Washington
Churnrurtai Kanchanachitra, Mahidol University
Krittaya Archavanichakul, Mahidol University

This study is part of the WHO Multi-Country study on Women's Health and Life Experiences participated by eight countries in Asia, Africa and South America. This paper focuses on first sex experience of young women and sexual violence committed by their intimate partners. Methodology: A household survey of single and married women was conducted in the year 2000. Information was obtained from 2,818 single and married women aged 15-49 years. The response rate at the household was 95% and at the individual was 89%. Results: We found that 4.4% of the women had their first sex by force and the prevalence of forced first sex was doubled among women age 15-24 years old. Only 59% of women younger than 25 years old reported their first sex as wanted. Bivariate and multivariate analysis suggested association of first sex of young women with some of their and their partner's characteristics.