Profile of Canadians who experienced victimization during childhood, 2018

Childhood victimization is a public health concern associated with numerous adverse outcomes across the life course. The short- and long-term consequences of having experienced victimization, physical or sexual abuse, during childhood are well documented. Childhood victimization may impact early development causing disruptions in cognitive growth and in the development of the central nervous system (Avison 2010; Edwards 2018). In adulthood, a history of childhood victimization is associated with poor mental and physical health, low economic attainment, and substance use (Dong et al., 2003; Ferraro et al., 2016; Heidinger & Willson, 2021; Schafer et al., 2011). Childhood victimization also contributes to the intergenerational cycle of abuse, whereby children who experience abuse are more likely to become abusers (Greene et al., 2020) or to be abused during adulthood (Cotter, 2021a; Cotter, 2021b). In severe cases, childhood victimization can lead to injury or result in death.

Although an abundance of research exists on the impact of childhood victimization on various child and adult outcomes, a reliance on police-reported experiences of childhood abuse may hinder a complete understanding of childhood victimization in Canada. More specifically, police-reported data are limited to incidents of childhood abuse that have come to the attention of police; however, the majority of instances of childhood abuse are not reported to police or other authorities. Underreporting may be due to children not understanding the problematic or criminal nature of the abuse, especially when the abuse does not meet the criminal threshold (Finkelhor et al., 2001; Taylor & Gassner, 2010). In addition, childhood abuse is often perpetrated by a known and trusted adult, contributing to the complexity of reporting the abuse, especially in circumstances where the abuser threatens the child. Children may also be afraid of reporting instances of abuse due to the unknown consequences of reporting or may be discouraged or unable to report instances due to a lack of social support or available resources. Lastly, younger children, especially those under the age of 5, may not be able to verbalize or articulate in words what has occurred.

Outside of police-reported data, ethical constraints may limit the collection of alternative data gathered directly from children who experience abuse. Instead, data on childhood victimization can be collected retrospectively from adults. Retrospective data may avoid ethical concerns, and the difficulty associated with the potential traumatic impact of asking minors about their experiences of victimization. Self-reported data on past instances and experiences of childhood victimization allow for adult retrospective accounts of incidents that may not have come to the attention of police or other authorities and remains a reliable approach to investigating the experience and impact of childhood victimization in Canada.

This Juristat article presents estimates of self-reported experiences of childhood victimization using data from the 2018 Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS). The SSPPS asks Canadians over age 15 to report on instances of victimization during childhood, that is any experience of physical or sexual abuse by an adult before age 15. Using retrospective data from the SSPPS, the current article examines factors associated with an elevated likelihood of experiencing childhood victimization and further identifies outcomes that are associated with experiences of childhood victimization, including mental and physical health outcomes, drug and alcohol use, and subsequent victimization in adulthood. The article also includes information on additional experiences of child maltreatment, including experiences of emotional abuse and neglect and witnessing violence in the home. While child maltreatment is an important predictor of adult outcomes, the present article focuses on childhood victimization or experiences of physical or sexual abuse during childhood.

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About three in ten Canadians have experienced childhood victimization

Results from the SSPPS found that about three in ten (27%) Canadians over age 15 have experienced childhood victimization, which includes at least one instance of physical or sexual abuse by an adult—such as a parent, other family member, friend, neighbour or other adult—before age 15 (Table 1; Chart 1). Overall, women (28%) were slightly more likely to have been physically or sexually abused compared with men (26%).^Note 

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Physical abuse most common type of childhood victimization experienced

Physical abuse was the most commonly experienced type of childhood victimization. Approximately one in four (24%) Canadians experienced at least one type of physical abuse during childhood. Men were slightly more likely to have been physically abused during childhood with one-quarter of men (25%) having experienced this abuse compared with about two in ten women (22%; Table 1).

Men were also more likely than women to have experienced certain physically abusive behaviours by an adult during childhood. More specifically, men were more likely to have been slapped or hit by an adult (21% versus 19% of women) or to have been kicked, punched, or choked by an adult (7.1% versus 5.4%) before age 15. Similar proportions of men (13%) and women (12%) reported having been pushed, grabbed, or shoved by an adult during childhood (Chart 2).

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Sexual abuse during childhood much more prevalent among women

Compared to physical abuse, sexual abuse during childhood was less common, with almost one in ten (7.8%) Canadians experiencing at least one type of sexual abuse prior to age 15. Women (12%) were three times more likely than men (3.7%) to have been sexually abused by an adult during childhood. More specifically, women were about three times more likely to have been forced into unwanted sexual activity by an adult (5.3% versus 1.9% of men) and almost four times more likely to have been touched in a sexual way by an adult (11% versus 3.5%).

Among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization, about one in six (16%; 4.3% of all Canadians) were both physically and sexually abused. Women (22%; 6.2% of all women) were more than two times more likely than men (9.0%; 2.4% of all men) to have been both physically and sexually abused by an adult before age 15.

Most victims experienced specific abusive behaviours one to five times during childhood

Looking at the frequency of abuse during childhood provides information and additional insight into the context of childhood abuse. More frequent instances of abuse may be indicative of more severe and persistent experiences of childhood abuse that may have more harmful short- and long-term consequences (World Health Organization, 2022a).

The SSPPS collected information on the frequency of experiencing physically or sexually abusive behaviours by an adult during childhood. For each type of abusive behaviour measured, respondents were asked how many times the abusive behaviour was experienced during childhood: one or two times, three to five times, six to 10 times, or more than 10 times. Abusive behaviours were categorized as occurring with a high frequency if the specific abusive behaviour was experienced more than five times during childhood. Abusive behaviours experienced one to five times during childhood were categorized as occurring with a low frequency.^Note 

Among those who experienced childhood victimization, a higher proportion indicated that they had experienced any specific abusive behaviour one to five times. In other words, most Canadians who experienced physically or sexually abusive behaviours during childhood experienced these behaviours with a low frequency (Chart 3). For example, among those who experienced childhood victimization, about two-thirds reported they were slapped or hit by an adult one to five times (65%). Although a lower proportion of individuals experienced a high frequency of physically or sexually abusive behaviours, previous research indicates that these individuals may experience more persistent instances of abuse, reflective of a context of ongoing abuse (World Health Organization, 2022a).

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In terms of specific physically or sexually abusive behaviours, potential differences between women and men were considered. Among those who experienced childhood victimization, women were more likely than men to have experienced certain abusive behaviours more than five times. For instance, women who experienced childhood victimization were more likely than men to have been pushed, grabbed or shoved by an adult multiple times (34% versus 30% of men) or to have been kicked, punched or choked by an adult multiple times (41% versus 31%; Table 2).

Women were also more likely than men to have experienced sexually abusive behaviours more than five times. Women who experienced childhood victimization were more likely than men to have ever been forced into unwanted sexual activity by an adult multiple times (32% versus 24% of men) and more likely to have ever been touched in a sexual way by an adult multiple times (27% versus 19%) during childhood.

The prevalence of childhood victimization was consistent among Canadian provinces

Overall, there was not a lot of variation in childhood victimization across the Canadian provinces. A smaller proportion of individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador had experienced childhood victimization, with about one-fifth (19%) having experienced physical or sexual abuse during childhood. In British Columbia, almost one-third (30%) of individuals experienced childhood victimization. Except for Alberta, there were no reported differences in experiences of childhood victimization between women and men across the provinces (Table 3).

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Most serious incident of childhood physical abuse commonly committed by parent or step-parent

The SSPPS asked respondents who were physically or sexually abused during childhood to provide information about the most serious incident of abuse. It is important to note that details provided about the most serious incident may not be representative of all incidents of abuse, but rather only the incident deemed most serious to the respondent.^Note 

According to the SSPPS, the majority (69%) of Canadians who were physically abused as children reported that the most serious incident was perpetrated by a parent or step-parent (Chart 4). Women (73%) were more likely than men (66%) to have reported that a parent or step-parent was responsible for the most serious incident of physical abuse during childhood. Women (9.8%) were also more likely than men (7.9%) to report that another family member was responsible for the most serious incident of physical abuse during childhood (Table 5).

A smaller proportion of Canadians reported that the most serious incident of physical abuse during childhood was committed by someone outside the family, such as a friend, neighbour, or classmate (5.7%); teacher, professor or tutor (6.5%); or stranger (2.9%). Men were more likely to report that the most serious incident of physical abuse was perpetrated by an adult outside the family. More specifically, men were almost three times more likely to have reported that the most serious incident of physical abuse during childhood was perpetrated by a teacher, professor or tutor (9.2% versus 3.5% of women) and two times more likely to have reported that the most serious incident of physical abuse was perpetrated by a stranger (4.0% versus 1.7% of women).

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Most serious incident of childhood sexual abuse commonly committed by an adult other than a parent

The majority of Canadians who were sexually abused as a child stated that the perpetrator of the most serious incident was a friend, neighbour, or classmate or another family member—such as a grandparent, sibling or other member. According to the SSPPS, a similar proportion of individuals who were sexually abused during childhood reported that the most serious incident was perpetrated by a friend, neighbour, or classmate (29%) or by another family member (30%)

Similar proportions of men (32%) and women (27%) reported that the most serious incident of sexual abuse during childhood was perpetrated by a friend, neighbour, or classmate. However, women (33%) were more likely than men (22%) to report that the most serious incident of sexual abuse during childhood was perpetrated by a family member other than a parent or step-parent. These findings mirror those found in police reported accounts of sexual abuse, which primarily find that women are overrepresented as victims of sexual violence by a family member (Conroy, 2021).

One-sixth (15%) of Canadians who were sexually abused during childhood indicated that the most serious incident was perpetrated by a parent or step-parent. Women (17%) were more likely than men (10%) to have reported that the most serious incident of sexual abuse during childhood was perpetrated by a parent or step-parent. A small proportion (3.4%) of Canadians stated that the most serious incident of sexual abuse during childhood was perpetrated by a teacher, professor or tutor, with men (6.0%) more than two times more likely than women (2.5%) to have stated this. For information about the gender of the perpetrator in the most serious incident of physical or sexual abuse during childhood, see Table 6. 

Half of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization, experienced one type of abusive behaviour

Previous research suggests that the cumulative experience of abusive behaviours may be particularly detrimental for adult outcomes; children experiencing many forms of violence may experience the most enduring abuse and be the most disadvantaged (Chapman et al., 2004; Friedman et al., 2015). In other words, rather than focusing on any single type of physical or sexual abuse, cumulative measures of multiple types of abusive behaviours during childhood may further indicate more pervasive experiences of victimization during childhood.

According to the SSPPS, among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization, half (50%) had experienced a single type of abusive behaviour or indicator of childhood victimization (see Text box 1 for a full list of indicators included). The proportion drops for each additional type of abusive behaviour experienced with just over one-quarter (26%) of Canadians having experienced two types of abusive behaviours and nearly two in ten (16%) having experienced three types. A small proportion of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization indicated that they had experienced four (4.2%) or all five^Note  (3.3%) types of abusive behaviours. Women were about two times more likely than men to have experienced four (5.0% versus 3.3% among men) or five (4.5% versus 2.0%) types of abusive behaviours during childhood (Table 7; Chart 5).

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Small proportion of childhood victimization reported to authorities, men less likely to have reported

Consistent with previous findings on childhood victimization and reporting, results from the SSPPS found that the vast majority of victims of childhood victimization did not report the incident or any incidents to authorities or child protection services. Among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization, fewer than one in ten (7.7%) indicated that before age 15 they had reported any of the abuse experienced to police or child protection services.^Note  More specifically, about one in twenty (5.9%) Canadians who experienced physical or sexual abuse during childhood saw or spoke to police about the experience. A smaller proportion saw or spoke to child protection services about the experience (4.4%; Table 8; Chart 6).

Overall, women (9.6%) who experienced childhood victimization were more likely than men (5.7%) to have indicated that before age 15 they had reported any abuse experienced. Compared with men, women were more likely to have reported childhood abuse to police (7.0% versus 4.7% of men) and twice as likely to have reported to child protection services (5.5% versus 3.2% of men) during childhood.

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Higher proportion of those experiencing multiple types of abusive behaviours report to authorities

While the majority of childhood abuse goes unreported, a higher proportion of Canadians who experienced multiple types of abusive behaviours during childhood indicated that they reported the abuse to authorities. Among Canadians who had experienced four types of abusive behaviours, about one in five (19%) indicated that they had reported the childhood abuse to either police or child protection services before age 15. This proportion was even higher among individuals who experienced all five types of abusive behaviours, with one-quarter (25%) indicating that they reported the abuse experienced during childhood.

The increased tendency to report among those who experienced the broadest range of abusive behaviours was particularly notable among women. Women who experienced four types of abusive behaviours (26%) were almost four times more likely and women who experienced all five types of abusive behaviours (30%) were about twice as likely to have reported the abuse during childhood compared with men who experienced four (6.8%) or five (15%) types of abusive behaviours (Table 9).

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Factors associated with an increased risk of experiencing childhood victimization

An abundance of research exists suggesting that experiences of childhood victimization may be more common among certain children (Cotter, 2021b; Perreault, 2022). Descriptive analyses identified the proportion of Canadians over age 15 who experienced childhood victimization by key demographic characteristics, including Indigenous identity, age and sexual orientation (Table 11).

In order to identify demographic characteristics associated with an increased risk of having experienced childhood victimization, a multivariate analysis was conducted (Table 12). All demographic characteristic variables from Table 11 were included in the model; however, only variables that were significant were kept in the final model.^Note 

Higher proportion of Indigenous peoples experience childhood victimization

Almost four in ten (38%) Indigenous^Note  peoples experienced childhood victimization. In comparison, this was the case for just over one-quarter (27%) of non-Indigenous peoples (Table 11). Results from a logistic regression further point to the increased risk of childhood victimization among Indigenous peoples. After controlling for other demographic variables, the odds of having experienced childhood victimization remained 1.5 times higher among Indigenous peoples relative to non-Indigenous people.

The overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples as victims of childhood violence is rooted in the traumatic history of colonization which continues to negatively impact Indigenous peoples, families, and their communities (The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, 2015). The dismantling of Indigenous families and culture and the forceful apprehension and placement of Indigenous children into residential schools and foster care where violence and maltreatment were common, have contributed to the intergenerational transmission of violence and an overall increased risk for childhood victimization among Indigenous peoples (for more information on victimization of Indigenous peoples see Perreault, 2022; for information on victimization of Indigenous women see Heidinger, 2022).

Childhood victimization more common among lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals

Previous research has found a disparity in rates of childhood abuse between lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) youth and heterosexual youth (for a review, see Friedman et al., 2011). LGB youth are more likely to report a pattern of childhood victimization, including higher overall levels of sexual and physical abuse and higher levels of physical abuse by a parent or guardian. While it is not clear why LGB youth disproportionately experience childhood victimization, previous research suggests that the ongoing stigmatization of LGB individuals both in the family and community may contribute to experiences of violence during childhood (Corliss et al., 2002).

Results from the SSPPS echo these previous findings. Overall, a significantly higher proportion of Canadians who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or of another sexual orientation that is not heterosexual^Note  experienced childhood victimization compared with heterosexual Canadians. Approximately four in ten lesbian or gay (41%) and bisexual (42%) Canadians experienced childhood victimization compared with just over one-quarter (27%) of heterosexual Canadians. A similar pattern was evident for both women and men. Lesbian (44%) and bisexual (45%) women and gay (40%) and bisexual (39%) men were more likely than their heterosexual counterparts (27% of heterosexual women and 26% of heterosexual men, respectively) to have experienced childhood victimization (Table 11).

A logistic regression predicting the likelihood of having experienced childhood victimization further confirms these results. Overall, the odds of having experienced childhood victimization were almost two times higher among lesbian or gay Canadians and among bisexual Canadians compared with heterosexual Canadians, even after controlling for other demographic variables (Table 12).

Experiences of childhood victimization more common among older Canadians

When looking at the age distribution of respondents who have experienced childhood victimization, cohort differences were evident. The prevalence of childhood victimization was lower among the youngest Canadians (20%), that is those aged 15 to 24, compared with all older cohorts of the population. Results suggest that while childhood victimization is serious, there is some evidence to suggest that the prevalence of childhood victimization is decreasing, with younger cohorts experiencing less childhood victimization compared with those from older generations. It is important to note that the laws surrounding child discipline have changed, and a transformation in the way adults and children interact may have contributed to the lower prevalence of childhood victimization among younger cohorts (Government of Canada, 2011; Hango, 2017).  

Furthermore, among the youngest cohort of respondents, there was no difference between the prevalence of childhood victimization among women (21%) relative to men (20%). Results from a logistic regression indicate that the odds of experiencing childhood victimization were higher among older cohorts of the population compared with the youngest cohort of respondents. For example, the odds of experiencing childhood victimization were about two times higher for individuals in the ages of 45 to 54 and 55 to 64 relative to individuals aged 15 to 24 (Table 12).

Numerous negative outcomes associated with a history of childhood victimization

Previous research concludes that experiences of childhood victimization are associated with a multitude of detrimental adult outcomes, including poor mental and physical health, drug and alcohol use, and subsequent victimization in adulthood (Afifi et al., 2016; Afifi et al., 2014; Afifi et al., 2012; Cotter, 2021a; Cotter, 2021b). Descriptive analyses present the distribution of outcomes among Canadians over age 15 who experienced childhood victimization relative to those with no history of childhood victimization (Table 13).

Multivariate analyses were further conducted in order to assess whether having experienced childhood victimization was associated with poor adult (since age 15) outcomes^Note  (Table 14). The analyses identified adult outcomes (self-reported general and mental health, drug and alcohol use, suicidal ideation, and subsequent violent victimization) that had a higher likelihood of occurring among Canadians who had experienced childhood victimization relative to Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization (see Table 13). The final model was further adjusted for key demographic factors (see Table 12). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) are presented in order to identify if having experienced childhood victimization was associated with poor adult outcomes beyond differences in demographic factors.

History of childhood victimization and homelessness

Canadians who experienced childhood victimization had a higher likelihood of having been homeless or of having had to temporarily live with family or friends because they had nowhere else to go. Overall, about six (5.6%) percent of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization reported that they were homeless at some point, that is, having to live in a shelter, on the street, or in an abandoned building. In comparison, fewer than one (0.8%) percent of Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization reported that they were ever homeless (Table 13).

Similarly, about one in five (21%) Canadians who experienced childhood victimization reported hidden homelessness; that is that they had ever temporarily lived with family or friends because they had nowhere else to go. In comparison, this was the case for about one in twenty (6.0%) Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization. Women who experienced childhood victimization were slightly more likely to have ever temporarily lived with family or friends (22%) compared to men who had experienced childhood victimization (20%).

Results from a logistic regression indicated that those with a history of childhood victimization had more than six times the odds of having ever been homeless (AOR=6.05) and over three times the odds of having ever temporarily lived with family or friends because they had nowhere else to go (AOR=3.48; Table 14). Furthermore, individuals who experienced five types of abusive behaviours had almost 30 times the odds of having ever been homeless and about 12 times the odds of having ever lived with family or friends relative to those who had not experienced childhood victimization.

Physical health, mental health poor among those who experience childhood victimization

An abundance of research links childhood experiences of physical and sexual abuse to poor general and mental health outcomes in adulthood (Afifi et al., 2016; Afifi et al., 2014). It is important to note, that while both mental and general health are measures of health, the onset of mental health problems typically commence during adolescence and persist into adulthood while general or more physical health conditions may manifest later in life (Kim & Durden, 2007).

A larger proportion of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization rated their current general or mental health as fair or poor. About three in twenty (16%) Canadians who experienced childhood victimization rated their current general health as fair or poor. In comparison, this was the case for one in ten (9.5%) Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization (Table 13).

Furthermore, individuals who experienced childhood victimization were two times more likely to rate their current mental health as fair or poor compared with those who had not experienced childhood victimization (18% versus 8.9%, respectively). Women who experienced childhood victimization (21%) were more likely to rate their mental health as fair or poor compared with men (15%) who experienced childhood victimization.

Overall, after controlling for demographic variables in a logistic regression, Canadians who experienced childhood victimization had about 1.3 times the odds of reporting fair or poor general health (AOR=1.28) and almost 2 times the odds of reporting fair or poor mental health (AOR=1.85) compared with those who had not experienced childhood victimization (Table 14).

History of childhood victimization and suicidal thoughts

In 2019, suicide was listed as one of the top ten leading causes of death in Canada (Statistics Canada, 2019). Growing research suggests a link between a history of childhood victimization and suicidal thoughts (Fuller-Thomson, 2016). Individuals who experienced childhood victimization (30%) were about three times more likely than those who had not experienced childhood victimization (10%) to have seriously contemplated suicide in their life. Women who experienced childhood victimization (33%) were more likely than men who experienced childhood victimization (26%) to have had suicidal thoughts.

According to results from a logistic regression, the odds of having seriously contemplated suicide were about three times higher among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization (AOR=3.09) relative to Canadians with no history of childhood victimization, after taking into account key demographic characteristics. Furthermore, individuals who experienced five types of abusive behaviours had about 11 times the odds of having seriously contemplated suicide relative to those who had not experienced childhood victimization.

Binge drinking, marijuana, non-prescription drug use more common among those with history of childhood victimization

Previous research has found that the prevalence of drug and alcohol use is higher among adolescents and adults who experienced childhood victimization (Afifi et al., 2012). In particular, the use of drugs and alcohol may be a coping mechanism used to deal with childhood trauma. Similarly, results from the SSPPS found that about one in five (22%) Canadians who experienced childhood victimization used marijuana in the past 12 months compared with 14% of Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization (Table 13). Furthermore, individuals who experienced childhood victimization were two times more likely than those who had not experienced childhood victimization to have used non-prescription drugs—such as magic mushrooms, cocaine, speed, methamphetamine, ecstasy, PCP, mescaline, heroin or fentanyl— in the 12 months preceding the survey (4.5% versus 2.2%, respectively).

Binge drinking in the 12 months preceding the survey was also slightly more prevalent among Canadians with a prior history of childhood victimization. Binge drinking is defined as having consumed four or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting for women and five or more alcoholic beverages in one sitting for men. Overall, about 16% of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization reported binge drinking in the past 12 months compared with 14% of Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization. Men (18%) who experienced childhood victimization were more likely to have binge drank in the past year compared with women (14%) who experienced childhood victimization.

Furthermore, after controlling for demographic factors these associations remained, with the odds of binge drinking (AOR=1.16), marijuana drug use (AOR=1.69), and non-prescription drug use (AOR=2.02) all independently higher for individuals with a history of childhood victimization relative to those with no history of childhood victimization (Table 14).

Childhood victimization and prevalence of subsequent victimization in adulthood

Canadians who experienced childhood victimization were more than two times more likely than those who had not experienced childhood victimization to have experienced violent victimization in adulthood (since age 15). Violent victimization includes experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) and violence by another perpetrator that occurs in contexts outside of intimate partner relationships (non-IPV). IPV and non-IPV encompass different forms of violent victimization but are often combined to estimate a total prevalence of criminal victimization.

Overall, about seven in ten (69%) Canadians who experienced childhood victimization subsequently experienced violent victimization in adulthood. In comparison, this was the case for about one-third (33%) of Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization. Similarly, individuals who experienced childhood victimization, were over two times more likely than those who had not experienced childhood victimization to have experienced violent victimization in the 12 months preceding the survey (10% versus 4.8 %, Table 13).

Among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization, women (73%) were more likely than men (65%) to have experienced violent victimization in adulthood.^Note  Similar proportions of women and men who experienced childhood victimization experienced violent victimization in the 12 months preceding the survey (10% of women and 9.9% of men).

The odds of being victimized in adulthood were over four times higher among individuals who experienced childhood victimization (AOR=4.36). Furthermore, the odds of having been victimized in the 12 months preceding the survey were more than two times higher for those who experienced childhood victimization (AOR=2.31) relative to those who had not experienced childhood victimization (Table 14).

Furthermore, relative to Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization, those who experienced five types of abusive behaviours had over 13 times the odds of having been victimized in adulthood (AOR=13.18) and over five times the odds of having been victimized in the 12 months preceding the survey (AOR=5.35).

Prevalence of IPV higher among those with history of childhood victimization

The SSPPS defines an intimate partner as a current or former spouse, common-law partner or dating partner. Canadians with a history of childhood victimization were more likely to have experienced IPV since age 15. More than half (60%) of Canadians who experienced childhood victimization also experienced IPV in adulthood. In comparison, about three in ten (33%) Canadians who had not experienced childhood victimization had experienced IPV. Women (67%) who experienced childhood victimization were more likely than men (53%) who experienced childhood victimization to have experienced IPV since age 15.

After controlling for demographic characteristics, the odds of experiencing IPV was about three times higher among individuals who experienced childhood victimization (AOR=3.07) compared with the odds among those with no history of childhood victimization.

Prevalence of non-IPV higher among those with history of childhood victimization

The SSPPS defines a non-intimate partner as another perpetrator with whom the victim did not have an intimate relationship, such as acquaintances, friends, family members, co-workers, strangers and others. Canadians who experienced childhood victimization (62%) were more than two times more likely than those who had not experienced childhood victimization (28%) to have experienced non-IPV after age 15. Compared to men who experienced childhood victimization (59%), women who experienced childhood victimization (65%) were more likely to have also experienced non-IPV.

According to results from a logistic regression, the odds of experiencing non-IPV were almost four times higher among Canadians who experienced childhood victimization (AOR=3.92) relative to Canadians with no history of childhood victimization, after taking into account key demographic characteristics.

Summary

Childhood victimization, that is physical or sexual abuse, is an important public health concern that has detrimental outcomes for children and adults across the life course. Overall, about three in ten (27%) Canadians over age 15 were physically or sexually abused by an adult during their childhood. Women were slightly more likely than men to have experienced childhood victimization.

The relationship to the perpetrator varied for the most serious incident of physical and sexual abuse. According to the SSPPS, while the majority of Canadians who experienced physical abuse as a child stated that the most serious abuse was perpetrated by a parent or step-parent, in contrast, the majority of Canadians who experienced sexual abuse as a child stated that the perpetrator was another family member – such as a grandparent, sibling or other member – or a friend, neighbour, or classmate.

Consistent with previous findings on childhood victimization and reporting, results from the SSPPS found that the majority of victims of childhood victimization did not report the abusive incident or incidents to authorities or child protection services. However, victims of more types of abusive behaviours were more likely to have reported their victimization. Childhood victimization is also associated with higher risk of adverse outcomes, including higher rates of homelessness, poorer adult physical and mental health, increased risk of drug use, and increased risk of subsequent victimization in adulthood.

The results of this analysis provide further evidence of the detrimental consequences of childhood victimization. Furthermore, results point to the importance of including other measures of child maltreatment that may co-occur with victimization during childhood. While self-reported retrospective analysis is but one possible measure of childhood victimization in Canada, it is an essential tool for the ongoing monitoring of the prevalence and impact of child abuse.

Detailed data tables

Table 1 Self-reported experiences of childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 2 Self-reported frequency of instances of abusive behaviours among those who experienced childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 3 Self-reported experiences of childhood victimization, by gender and region, Canada, 2018

Table 4 Self-reported experiences of harsh parenting or witnessing violence during childhood, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 5 Relationship of perpetrator to victim in most serious self-reported incident of childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 6 Gender of perpetrator in most serious self-reported incident of childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 7 Number of abusive behaviours experienced before age 15 among those who experienced childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 8 Reporting childhood victimization to police or child protective services among those who experienced childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 9 Reporting to police or child protective services among those who experienced childhood victimization, by number of abusive behaviours and gender, Canada, 2018

Table 10 Self-reported experiences of child maltreatment among those who experienced childhood victimization, by gender, Canada, 2018

Table 11 Self-reported experiences of childhood victimization by gender and selected characteristics of victim, Canada, 2018

Table 12 Logistic regressions predicting odds of experiencing childhood victimization by selected demographic characteristics, Canada, 2018

Table 13 Adult outcomes by self-reported experiences of childhood victimization and gender, Canada, 2018

Table 14 Logistic regressions: odds of experiencing selected adult outcomes by childhood victimization, Canada, 2018

Survey Description

In 2018, Statistics Canada conducted the first cycle of the Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces (SSPPS). The purpose of the survey is to collect information on Canadians’ experiences in public, at work, online, and in their intimate partner relationships. The SSPPS also collects retrospective information on physical and sexual abuse before age 15, during childhood.

The target population for the SSPPS is the Canadian population aged 15 and over, living in the provinces and territories. Canadians residing in institutions are not included. This means that the survey results may not reflect the experiences of childhood victimization among those living in shelters, institutions, or other collective dwellings. Once a household was contacted, an individual 15 years or older was randomly selected to respond to the survey.

In the provinces, data collection took place from April to December 2018 inclusively. Responses were obtained by self-administered online questionnaire or by interviewer-administered telephone questionnaire. Respondents were able to respond in the official language of their choice. The sample size for the 10 provinces was 43,296 respondents. The response rate in the provinces was 43.1%.

In the territories, data collection took place from July to December 2018 inclusively. Responses were obtained by self-administered online questionnaire or by interviewer-administered in-person questionnaire. Respondents were able to respond in the official language of their choice. The sample size for the 3 territories was 2,597 respondents. The response rate in the territories was 73.2%.

Non-respondents included people who refused to participate, could not be reached, or could not speak English or French. Respondents in the sample were weighted so that their responses represent the non-institutionalized Canadian population aged 15 and older.

Data limitations

As with any household survey, there are some data limitations. The results are based on a sample and are therefore subject to sampling errors. Somewhat different results might have been obtained if the entire population had been surveyed.

For the quality of estimates, the lower and upper bounds of the confidence intervals are presented. Confidence intervals should be interpreted as follows: If the survey were repeated many times, then 95% of the time (or 19 times out of 20), the confidence interval would cover the true population value.

References

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