The Global Prevalence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse in Schools between 2012 and 2022: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose This review aimed to synthesize existing research on the prevalence of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA) in schools, while also identifying key moderators that influence these rates. Methods A comprehensive database search from 2012 to 2022 was conducted. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were performed to examine the impact of various moderators on prevalence rates. Results 70 studies with sample sizes ranging from 381 to 4,511 were included. The global prevalence of CSEA in schools was found to be 1.6%. Key moderators included the study’s regional origin, the income level of the country, and the type of CSEA, with no significant variations noted based on gender, sample source/participant age, response rate, time period, data collection year, and publication year. Discussion Highlighting the need for ongoing vigilance in CSEA prevention within schools, the study suggested targeted interventions based on identified moderating variables.