Correlates of Forced First Sexual Intercourse Among Women in the Philippines

Forced sex has been identified as a public health and human rights issue. While a few studies have explored women’s experiences on forced sex in the Philippines, their findings were largely descriptive. Using the 2008 Philippines Demographic and Health Survey, the current study examined factors associated with forced first sexual intercourse among Filipino women. Results indicated that Cebuano and Ilonggo women were more likely to describe sexual debut as forced than their Tagalog counterparts. Also, compared to those from the poorest households, women from richer households were less likely to report forced first sexual intercourse. Moreover, currently married women were less likely to report forced at sexual debut than never-married women. Finally, early sexual initiation was a risk factor for forced sexual debut. These findings have implications for policymakers and other stakeholders. Interventions targeting sexual violence against women in the Philippines must pay specific attention to ethnic and socioeconomic inequalities.