Cyber sexual harassment against women and impact on health. A cross-sectional study in a representative population sample.

This study examines the prevalence of cyber sexual harassment (CSH) among women in Spain and its association with five health indicators: self-perceived health, medication use, suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and healthcare service utilization. Analyzing data from the 2019 Macro-survey on violence against women, which included a representative sample of 9,568 women aged 16 and older, the study found that 9.15% had experienced CSH, with higher risk among younger women, those with higher education, unmarried women, non-religious women, and those with certified disabilities. Female victims of CSH reported significantly higher rates of suicidal ideation (20% vs. 9.79%) and suicide attempts (7.20% vs. 1.74%) compared to non-victims, as well as increased use of psychotropic medication and emergency health services. The findings highlight the need for preventive health policies that address CSH as part of the broader continuum of gender-based violence affecting women and girls.