Sexual Violence against Minors: A Study of 35 Cases

Abstract

Sexual violence refers to any contact or interaction (visual, verbal, or psychological) where an adult uses a child or adolescent for sexual stimulation, either for their own satisfaction or that of a third party. It represents a fairly common, urgent, and challenging situation to diagnose, while avoiding any underestimation or overestimation. Hence, the relevance of our study, which aims to describe and analyze the psychological and social aspects of sexual abuse in minors under the age of 18 who were seen at the pediatric psychiatry department of Arrazi Hospital in Salé. The identified risk factors were as follows: an average age of 10 years, male gender, and a conflicted family dynamic. The only factor associated with the occurrence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after sexual assault was having a stay-at-home mother. Furthermore, it was observed that the higher the age of the first sexual assault, the greater the risk of developing depressive disorders. Victims from families marked by domestic violence had a 25.5 times higher risk of developing this disorder after a sexual assault. Compared to victims with parents in a couple, those who were divorced had a higher number of comorbid PTSD diagnoses, while widowhood was associated with a decrease in the number of comorbid diagnoses. Lastly, it was found that justice intervention in response to sexual assault was associated with a higher number of comorbid psychiatric disorders with PTSD. To ensure the care of children who are victims of abuse and family violence, it is essential to involve professionals from various disciplines. A comprehensive and multidisciplinary evaluation must be conducted, taking into account medical, psychological, psychiatric, and social aspects. Thus, this information provides valuable foundations for developing strategies for the prevention and early detection of child abuse.