Gender differences in child sexual abuse in China: Examining the mediation and moderation effects

Abstract

Mixed findings exist regarding gender differences in child sexual abuse (CSA) in China. A large representative sample of 14,564 children, aged 14–18, from five major Chinese cities, was used to investigate gender differences in CSA by examining the mediating effects of risky lifestyle activities and the moderating role of repeated victimization. Multinomial logit regression models were employed, with direct and indirect CSA as dependent variables, and gender and risky lifestyle activities as independent variables. Of the respondents, 7.5 percent reported at least one incidence of one-time or repeated CSA in the past year. Boys showed a higher risk of experiencing both direct and indirect repeated CSA compared to girls. Risky lifestyle activities had a statistically significant mediating effect on the gender–CSA relationship. Additionally, statistically significant moderating effects of repeated victimization were observed. Effective strategies to address CSA could include screening the forms and frequency of one-time incidence CSAs. Furthermore, gender-specific prevention and intervention programs targeting adolescents' risky lifestyle activities should be implemented.