Knowledge of sexual abuse and resistance ability among children with intellectual disability

Abstract

BackgroundSexual abuse is a global concern among children with intellectual disabilities. Sexual abuse is frequent and long-lasting when the victim is a child with an intellectual disability. Moreover, the rate of sexual abuse is two to eight times the rate in the general population. ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate the knowledge of sexual abuse and resistance ability among children with intellectual disabilities. Participants and settingThe study was conducted among 120 children with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities attending twelve schools for specific purposes. MethodsWe adopted a cross-sectional design to assess knowledge and resistance ability. Personal Safety Questionnaire and Modified What If Situation Test were administered verbally during individual interviews. Institutional Ethics Committee approved our study. ResultsCurrent study suggests that children with intellectual disabilities have average knowledge (M = 6.6, SD = 1.6) regarding sexual abuse. More than 90 % of children demonstrated poor reporting skills. Although children exhibited good knowledge in differentiating appropriate from inappropriate touch requests, most children reported they would not disclose this incident to anyone. ConclusionsThis study strongly suggests the need for a structured training program for children with intellectual disabilities to prevent sexual abuse.