%0 Report
        %A Tommaso, Maria Laura Di
%A Mendolia, Silvia
%A Palmaccio, Silvia
%A Savio, Giulia
        %T Is Physical Unattractiveness a Risk Factor for Sexual Violence Perpetration? Evidence from the U.S
        %D 2026
        %8 2026 Feb
        %I Institute of Labor Economics (IZA)
        %C Bonn
        %7 IZA Discussion Paper
        %N 18370
        %U https://www.iza.org/index.php/publications/dp18370
        %X A comprehensive understanding of the determinants of sexual violence constitutes a
crucial step toward effective prevention. While there is much research on the role
of socio-economic circumstances of both victims acund perpetrators, little is known
about whether an individual’s physical attractiveness influences the likelihood of perpetrating
sexual violence. Using U.S. data from the National Longitudinal Study of
Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health), we examine the relationship between attractiveness
and sexual violence perpetration against one’s partner. Physical attractiveness
is measured using interviewer-assigned scores for respondents aged 12 to 17. While
no correlation is documented for women, among men, a one-point increase in attractiveness
(on a 1–5 scale) reduces the likelihood of perpetrating sexual violence in
adulthood by 13 percent. We also find that contextual factors, such as parental education
and neighborhood cohesion, mitigate this association.
        %K sexual intimate partner violence
%K attractiveness
%K beauty premium