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Almost 15 percent of teen girls said they were forced to have sex, a 27 percent increase over two years. Thirteen percent attempted suicide, compared with 7 percent of boys.

By Donna St. George

Teen girls across the United States are “engulfed in a growing wave of violence and trauma,” according to federal researchers who released data Monday showing increases in rape and sexual violence, as well as record levels of feeling sad or hopeless.

Nearly 1 in 3 high school girls reported in 2021 that they seriously considered suicide — up nearly 60 percent from a decade ago — according to new findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost 15 percent of teen girls said they were forced to have sex, an increase of 27 percent over two years and the first increase since the CDC began tracking it.

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The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey also found:

  • 30% of girls seriously considered attempting suicide – a nearly 60% increase from a decade ago.
  • 18% experienced sexual violence in the past year – a 20% increase since 2017.
  • 14% had been forced to have sex – a 27% increase since 2019.

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