CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey: What it Says about Teens and Sexual Assault

On February 13th, the CDC released the Data Summary and Trends Report for the 2011-2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). The YRBS collects data on behaviors and experiences of youth nationwide for 29 variables across sexual behavior, substance use, experiences of violence, mental health, and suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This report, which includes the first YRBS data collected since the COVID-19 pandemic, reveals some disbursing trends in the health and wellbeing of our young people. 

The data shows that experiences of sexual violence remain prevalent for our young people. In 2021: 

• 8% of high school students had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to. 
• Female students were more likely than male students to have been forced to have sexual intercourse. Nearly 20% of female students experienced sexual violence by anyone, and nearly 15% had been forced to have sexual intercourse. 
• American Indian or Alaska Native students were more likely than students from most other racial and ethnic groups to have been forced to have sexual intercourse. 
• Female students, LGBQ+ students, and students who had any same-sex partners were more likely than their peers to experience violence.

Over Time:

• The percentage of female students who experienced sexual violence by anyone increased from 2017 to 2021.

The data also shows that young people are struggling with their mental health at increased rates. In 2021: 

• Female students, LGBQ+ students, and students who had any same-sex partners were more likely than their peers to experience poor mental health and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.
• Nearly 60% of female students and nearly 70% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
• 10% of female students and more than 20% of LGBQ+ students attempted suicide.
• Hispanic and multiracial students were more likely than Asian, Black, and White students to have persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. 
• Black students were more likely than Asian, Hispanic, and White students to attempt suicide.

Over Time:

• The percentage of students across every racial and ethnic group who felt persistently sad or hopeless increased. 
• The percentage of female students who seriously considered attempting suicide, made a suicide plan, and attempted suicide increased.

The data and trends over time are incredibly concerning and highlight the need for expanded sexual violence prevention efforts and the ongoing need for traum-informed response to sexual assault in schools. MCASA will continue to advance our primary prevention strategies and training and technical assistance for trauma-informed response in schools to support young people and end sexual violence in Maryland. 

Resources and support services are available to survivors. Maryland survivors can contact the Sexual Assault Legal Institute to learn more about their legal options. Survivors can also locate their local Rape Crisis Center which offer confidential support services. FreeState Justice also offers legal services, referrals, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community and has compiled a resource guide for LGBTQ+ youth in Maryland. 

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline) provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States. 

The full YRBS data set will be released in Spring of 2023.