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'We've got a real problem with sexual violence' - Sexual health results concerning says Jan Logie

November 2, 2018

The Under Secretary on Domestic and Sexual Violence said the results reinforce NZ’s problem with sexual violence.

The results of New Zealand's first sexual health survey have been released, showing 11 per cent of women respondents reported an incident of sex against their will.

The Government has called this figure unacceptable and a concern. 

The Ministry of Health Heterosexual Health Survey found 96 per cent of men were willing on their first sexual experience, however it dropped to 84 per cent for women. 

The survey asked if respondents had had an experience of sex against their will since age 13. 

Eleven per cent of women responded they had, compared to three per cent of men.

Under Secretary for Sexual and Domestic Violence Jan Logie told 1 NEWS those results were a concern. 

"It reinforces the fact we've known for a while that we've got a real problem with sexual violence in this country."

When asked about the 11 per cent of women who responded to having an incident of sex against their will, Ms Logie said "it is really awful to say but it's not a surprise". 

"That's thousands of women in this country who have been forced to have sex against their will, and that's unacceptable. We have to come together as a country to stop this."

Deputy Director of Public Health Dr Niki Stefanogiannis said in a statement those statistics would be "useful for those providing sexual health services and sex education to young people, as well as informing policies aiming to reduce family and sexual violence". 

The survey was conducted between June 2014 and July 2015 with more than 10,000 New Zealanders.

I t also asked respondents about condom use had risen up to 80 per cent for a person's first sexual encounter, compared to only 40 per cent in the 1970s. 

The results found people with multiple partners were less likely to use a condom every time, with 60 per cent of those with two or more sexual partners in the past year reportedly not using a condom every time. 

Where to get help:

Safe to talk National Sexual Harm Helpline  - 0800 044 334,  www.safetotalk.nz

Victim Support National 24 Hour Helpline 0800 842 846,  www.victimsupport.org.nz

Rape Crisis National 24 Hour Helpline 0800 883300

If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

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