A comparison of extra and intra-familial sexual abuse of children and adolescents

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to define and compare individual and family characteristics, occurrence as well as the consequences of the abuse and forensic processes of children who are victims of extra and intra- familial child sexual abuse. Methods: Data was collected by retrospective chart review of 182 cases who had admitted to a child and adolescent psychiatry clinic among 2010-2012 for forensic evaluation due to being victims of child sexual abuse. Following data collection cases were grouped into two; 139 children and adolescent as extra familial and 43 cases as intra familial child sexual abuse. Analysis of data was performed accordingly. Results: Girls were more commonly sexually abused in both groups. In the intra-familial group, mean ages of children and their parents were significantly lower. Biological father was the most common offender in the intra-familial sexual abuse group Children in the extra-familial sexual abuse group had significantly lower intelligences quotients and were not attending school. Time between the occurrence of the abuse and the forensic evaluation was significantly longer in the intra-familial group. Withdrawal of the claim was only present in the intra familial sexual abuse group. In both groups physical abuse accompanying sexual abuse were significantly more common in male victims.. Mean age under 12 years, intelligence level and psychiatric morbidity within the family were found to be the predictors of intra-familial sexual child abuse. Discussion: This study displays that ¼ of child sexual abuse is in the form of incest, known to have significantly more deteriorating effects on the victims. It takes longer to identify the cases of incest and its deleterious effects are more implicit. Extended and expansive research on child sexual abuse, especially incest, necessitates.