Peer-reviewed article

Measuring sexual violence against children in a national prevalence survey in the UK: Questionnaire development and content validity

Anna McCarthy, Julia I. Rudolph, Deborah Ann Fry, Claire P. Monks, Rosana Pacella et al. · 7 Jul 2025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In order to prevent violence against children, it is essential to understand its scope and nature. Current and accurate data on violence experiences of children are not available in the United Kingdom (UK) and, as a part of a feasibility study on whether and how a national prevalence survey can be conducted, a questionnaire was developed for use with children and young adults aged 11-25 years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this paper is to report on this development process, specifically for the items related to sexual violence: sexual harassment, sexual abuse including exploitation, and sexual dating violence. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Participants included both UK-based and international child abuse and violence research professionals, adults and children with lived experience of sexual abuse during childhood, and children and young people in the target audience. METHODS: Data was collected via Delphi survey, focus groups, individual and group interviews, and individual consultations. Data was analysed thematically. RESULTS: Themes included: how to refer to body parts (and how this might need to differ based on age); how to describe 'unwanted' sexual experiences; and how to capture grooming and experiences which the child may believe they have 'consented' to. The final sexual abuse questionnaire items include two multiple-choice questions and 3 multiple-item screeners consisting of 13 items. It has shown good content validity for use with the target age range in the UK. CONCLUSIONS: Development of questionnaire items involving children and adults who have experienced violence is essential in order to develop valid measurement.