Adolescent Victims Of Sexual Abuse Research Articles

A Systematic Review of Evidence-Based Treatments for Adolescent and Adult Sexual Assault Victims.

Sexual assault (SA) is a serious crime that is a prevalent mental and public health problem. Addressing the needs of SA victims and providing appropriate treatment are essential to reduce potential adverse short- and long-term outcomes. Our team undertook an extensive systematic literature review (published between January 2006 and July 2021) to provide evidence-based mental health intervention recommendations for adolescent and adult victims of SA. Where SA-specific research was limited, the literature and clinical practice guidelines on treatments for trauma-induced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were reviewed to provide additional information to formulate recommendations. Findings strongly support several primary psychotherapy treatments: cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing, narrative exposure therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy. Complementary (aerobic exercise, art, drama, and music therapy) and pharmacological treatments were explored. Mental health nurses who provide services for victims of SA can utilize this overview to guide recommendations for treatment of SA trauma and related PTSD symptoms to mitigate the short- and long-term negative impacts after a traumatic event. When victims of SA receive optimal mental health treatments, our communities benefit as victims heal and recover.

Adolescent victims of sexual abuse and music therapy: A systematic review

Adolescent victims of sexual abuse and music therapy: A systematic review

Investigating emotional regulation, aggression and self-esteem in sexually abused adolescents

Objectives: Child sexual abuse is a global problem with an increased risk of developing psychopathology. In recent studies, it was studied that children and adolescents who experienced sexual abuse have emotion regulation difficulties. We aimed to investigate some features of sexually abused adolescents by studying emotion regulation, aggression, and self-esteem. Methods: One hundred four adolescents seeking treatment after sexual abuse to Bursa Yuksek Ihtisas Training and Research Hospital Child Monitoring Center and 91 control group were included. Participants were given to complete the personal information form, the adolescent emotion regulation scale, the reactive-proactive aggression scale, and the Rosenberg self-esteem scale.Results: It was determined that adolescents who were sexually abused used more internal dysfunctional and external dysfunctional emotion regulation while the control group used more external functional emotion regulation. While there was no difference between both groups regarding aggression, self-esteem was found to be lower in abused adolescents. Self-injurious behavior was higher in adolescents victims of sexual abuse. Aggression was found to increase as dysfunctional emotion regulation increased. Conclusions: It was found that sexually abused adolescents had more difficulty in regulating their emotions and exhibited more self-injurious thoughts and behaviors but there was no difference between them and the control group in terms of aggression. We found that dysfunctional emotion regulation increased aggression in the study group.

Peran Dukungan Sosial Keluarga dalam Proses Penerimaan Diri pada Remaja Korban Kekerasan Seksual

Throughout 2022 cases of sexual violence against minors that occurred in Indonesia were reported as many as 16,444 cases and still growing (https://kekerasan.kemenpppa.go.id/ringkasan). Sexual violence is a crime that is very heinous, immoral, despicable, and violates norms where the victims are women, both adults and minors. Sexual violence against children has an emotional and physical impact on the victim. Emotionally, children as victims of sexual violence experience stress, depression, mental shock, feelings of guilt and self-blame, fear of relating to others, nightmares, and insomnia. This prompted researchers to conduct research related to the role of family social support on self-acceptance in adolescent victims of sexual violence, with the aim of obtaining an overview of the forms of social support provided by families in the process of self-acceptance to adolescent victims of sexual abuse. This research was conducted using a qualitative method with a case study approach. As for the data collection, researchers used structured interviews through instruments that have been provided by researchers with the aim of knowing the form of support provided by the family. With data sources, namely 3 teenage victims of sexual harassment, 1 mother of a teenage victim of sexual harassment, grandparents of one of the victims of sexual harassment and a cousin of one of the victims of sexual harassment.

Providers Assessing Child Abuse and Neglect

Providers Assessing Child Abuse and Neglect

Health care providers\u2019 responses to sexually abused children and adolescents: a systematic review

BackgroundSexual abuse of children and adolescents is a significant health concern worldwide. Appropriate and timely health services for victims can prevent severe and long-term consequences. This study identified and categorized diagnostic and treatment services needed for sexually abused children and adolescents.MethodsSeveral databases, including MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, ProQuest, and Google Scholar, were searched to retrieve studies on the topic and clinical guidelines in English covering the literature from 2010 to 2020 using search terms. Primary studies and guidelines were reviewed to identify treatment strategies and medical interventions related to sexually abused children and adolescents.ResultsTwenty-one studies and guidelines were selected and analyzed narratively. The quality of evidence was relatively good. We identified that effective health care systems for sexually abused children include the following: interview and obtain medical history, physical and anogenital examination, collecting forensic and DNA evidence, documenting all the findings, prevention and termination of pregnancy, diagnostic tests, prophylaxis for HIV and other STIs, vaccinations, and psychological intervention.ConclusionsThis review provides up-to-date evidence about adequate health care services for children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse. We conclude that recent studies have focused more on prophylaxis against HIV and other STIs, studies on vaccinating against HPV for victims are still limited, and future research in this area is needed.

Investigation of suicide probability in sexually abused adolescents and the associated factors

ObjectiveThe objectives of this study are to compare the suicide probability of adolescent sexual abuse victims with a control group. MethodThe study group consisted of 120 adolescents (105 female, 15 male) who had experienced sexual abuse, and the control group comprised 120 adolescents with sociodemographic features similar to those of the study group. Participants completed the following questionnaires: the Suicide Probability Scale, Brief Symptom Inventory, and child Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Reaction Index. ResultsThe study group reported greater hopelessness, higher rates of suicidal ideation, increased hostility/impulsivity, and had higher general suicide probability subscale scores (determined via the Suicide Probability Scale) compared to the control group. Of the sexual abuse victims, general suicide probability scores were found to be higher among females and among subjects who indicated abuse involving contact and penetration, blaming oneself or their families for the abuse and the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and/or major depressive disorder following the abuse. ConclusionsOur findings showed that individuals who had suffered sexual abuse were more likely to be at risk of suicide and that certain features of the victim, the abuse, and the abuser also related to the probability of suicide.

Evaluation of Juvenile and Adolescent Sexual Abuse Victims: A Retrospective Study

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and the mental, anogenital, and physical examination findings of child and adolescent sexual abuse victims and to discuss them in the light of the literature.Materials and Methods:This study included a total of 134 children and adolescent cases between the ages of 0 and 18 who were victims of sexual abuse, from among the reports prepared in the Forensic Medicine Clinic of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2019.Results:This study included 134 cases: 113 (84.3%) were female and 21 (15.7%) were male. The mean age was 13 ± 3.4 years (min: 3, max: 17). The average age of the defendants was 25.6 ± 13 years (min: 12, max: 75), and all the defendants were male. The defendants were strangers in 60 cases (4.8%). Sexual abuse mostly occurred as vaginal penetration in 46 cases (34.3%). Sixty–nine (51.5%) cases were exposed to abuse more than once. Depression due to sexual abuse developed in 14 (10.4%) of the cases.Conclusion:Considering that many child abuse victims have normal examination findings, it should not be forgotten that the interview and psychiatric examination with the child are as valuable as the genital examination.

Evaluation of Juvenile and Adolescent Sexual Abuse Victims: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and the mental, anogenital, and physical examination findings of child and adolescent sexual abuse victims and to discuss them in the light of the literature. This study included a total of 134 children and adolescent cases between the ages of 0 and 18 who were victims of sexual abuse, from among the reports prepared in the Forensic Medicine Clinic of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2019. This study included 134 cases: 113 (84.3%) were female and 21 (15.7%) were male. The mean age was 13 ± 3.4 years (min: 3, max: 17). The average age of the defendants was 25.6 ± 13 years (min: 12, max: 75), and all the defendants were male. The defendants were strangers in 60 cases (4.8%). Sexual abuse mostly occurred as vaginal penetration in 46 cases (34.3%). Sixty-nine (51.5%) cases were exposed to abuse more than once. Depression due to sexual abuse developed in 14 (10.4%) of the cases. Considering that many child abuse victims have normal examination findings, it should not be forgotten that the interview and psychiatric examination with the child are as valuable as the genital examination.

The Influence of Video-Modeled Sexual Assault Disclosure and Self-Efficacy Messages on Sexual Assault Disclosure Efficacy of Adolescent Girls

Adolescent female victims of sexual assault must often disclose their victimization to trusted adults to seek positive physical and mental health outcomes; however, adolescent girls face unique barriers to disclosure, and they are less likely to disclose compared to adult women. Media interventions could be useful in motivating adolescent girls to feel more efficacious about disclosing sexual assaults. Self-efficacious messages in media that model disclosure behavior could motivate adolescent girls to feel more confident disclosing information about an assault and seeking positive health outcomes. This study used quasi-experimental methods to test the effect of a YouTube vlog containing a self-efficacy message about sexual assault disclosure. Results indicate that exposure to the self-efficacious message leads to higher sexual assault disclosure efficacy among adolescent girls who identify with self-efficacious media characters (B = −.0867, SE = .059, 95% CI [−.2318, −.0033]), albeit indirectly through perceived discrimination of sexual assault victims and approach coping behaviors. Appropriate interventions targeting disclosure of sexual assault by adolescent girls could include a more holistic view of disclosure and use new mediums like YouTube vlogs to deliver self-efficacious messages.

EMDR Integrative Group Treatment for Female Adolescents Victims of Sexual Abuse with Complex Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Bu çalışmanın amacı daha önce afet ve savaş ilişkili travmalarda kullanılmış olan Grup EMDR Protokolünün, Karmaşık Travma Sonrası Stres Bozukluğu (TSSB) olan kız ergenlerde depresyon ve travma skorlarına etkisinin olup olmadığını araştırmaktır. Araştırma bu alanda ergenlerde yapılmış ilk çalışmadır. Bu amaçla 13 kız ergene iki grup halinde 3 seans Grup EMDR protokolü uygulanmıştır. Olgular daha önce cinsel istismara uğrayan ve en az 6 aydır standart medikal tedaviler uygulanan vakalardır. Olgulara çalışma öncesinde ve seanslar tamamlandıktan 1 ay sonra Çocuklar için Travma Sonrası Stres İndexi ve Çocuklar için Depresyon Ölçeği uygulanmıştır. Olguların yaş ortalaması 16 (min:14 max: 17) idi. Olgulardan %84,6'si (n:11)' ü daha önce birden fazla travmatik olay yaşamıştı. Depresyon skorları ortalaması terapi öncesinde 19 (±6,4) terapi sonrası 1. ay takibinde 11,4 (±5,5), Travma sonrası stres indexi skorları terapi öncesinde 53,5 (±7,5 ), terapi sonrası 1. ay takipte 39,34 (±8,6) olarak bulunmuştur. Hem depresyon hem de travma skorlarında terapi öncesi ile sonrası arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı fark saptanmıştır. Karmaşık TSSB bireyin hayatını birçok yönden etkileyen bir psikiyatrik bozukluktur. Standart psikotrop medikasyon travma sonrası stres belirtilerini azaltmada kısmi etkiye sahip olmakla birlikte yeterli etkiye sahip değildir. Grup terapisi daha çok toplu travmatik olaylarda kullanılmış olmakla birlikte bu çalışma ile birlikte Karmaşık TSSB' lerde de kullanılabileceği gösterilmiştir..

Adolescent sexual abuse victims' levels of perceived social support and delayed disclosure

Abstract Background Similar to disclosure rates, the timing of disclosure may also vary among sexual abuse (SA) victims. While some victims immediately disclose the SA, others may hide it until later in their adult lives. Objective The main aims of this study were to not only compare the perceived social support levels of SA victims who disclosed the abuse immediately versus those who delayed doing so, but also evaluate the social reactions to these reports. Methods This study comprised 116 victims who are aged between 15 and 18. The Perceived Social Support Scale was administered, and independent samples t-test analysis and the chi-square test was conducted for data analysis. Results We found no significant difference between victims who disclosed immediately and those who delayed the disclosure in terms of the perceived social support levels from families and the surrounding community. However, victims who first disclosed the SA to their family members have higher the perceived social support than victims disclosing the SA to other people. The most common reason for delayed disclosure was a fear of creating domestic problems. In addition, the victims who delayed disclosure experienced the most negative reactions from others. In the most negative reactions, victims who delayed disclosure were blamed for the SA and were labeled. Conclusions The findings of the study may guide psychosocial interventions. Therefore, professionals working with children should interact with families and the community at large to encourage adolescent victims to disclose SA and approach these victims in a suitable way following the disclosure.

Psicologia forense e sua relação com crianças e adolescentes vítimas de abuso sexual

Nos últimos anos, verifica-se um aumento na divulgação dos casos de violência e maus tratos contra a população infanto-juvenil, estando o abuso sexual entre uma das mais comuns neste ciclo de vida. Partindo desta explanação, este trabalho apresenta por objetivo verificar a relação e importância da psicologia forense em crimes de abuso sexual contra crianças e adolescentes. O presente artigo trata-se de uma revisão narrativa, abrangendo artigos científicos, monografias, teses e dissertações publicados nas bases de dados: CAPES, SciELO e Google acadêmico. Através dos estudos, verifica-se que, o profissional psicólogo entre inúmeras funções, destaca e analisa os aspectos psicológicos das pessoas envolvidas, ocultos por trás das relações processuais. A principal finalidade da perícia psicológica é auxiliar o juiz na tomada de uma decisão, garantindo, consequentemente, os direitos e o bem-estar da criança e/ou adolescente. Por fim, conclui-se que o objetivo principal do estudo pode ser alcançado, referente a análise da relação entre a psicologia forense e crianças e adolescentes vítimas de abuso sexual.

A nurse practitioner-led intervention for runaway adolescents who have been sexually assaulted or sexually exploited: Effects on trauma symptoms, suicidality, and self-injury.

Adolescent victims of sexual assault and exploitation suffer significant mental health distress including PTSD, self-harm, suicidal ideation, and attempts. This longitudinal observational study investigated the Runaway Intervention Program's influence on trauma responses at 3, 6, and 12 months for adolescents who have run away at least once and have been sexually assaulted or exploited. Runaways (n = 362) received nurse practitioner (NP) home and community visits, intensive case management, and optional empowerment groups. An urban Midwestern city's hospital-based Children's Advocacy Center. Trauma responses were measured by the UCLA PTSD-RI index, past 30 days emotional distress scale, and self-harm, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt questions. Repeated Measures ANOVA assessed trauma response changes over time. Growth curve analyses using intervention doses determined which aspects of the intervention predicted change. From program entry to 3 and 6 months, mean values decreased significantly for emotional distress (-0.67, -.91) self-harm (-.30, -.55), suicidal ideation (-.45, -.57), suicide attempts (-.58, -.61), and trauma symptoms (-11.8, -16.2, all p < .001) all maintained at 12 months. In growth curve models, NP visits independently predicted declines in emotional distress (-.038), self-injury (-.020), suicidal ideation (-.025) and attempts (-.032), while empowerment groups predicted trauma symptoms (-.525) and all others except suicide attempts. The program, especially NP community visits and empowerment group elements, decreased trauma responses in runaway youth with a history of sexual assault. Given high rates of PTSD and emotional distress among runaways, the Runaway Intervention Program offers promise for improving mental health outcomes.

Recognizing, diagnosing, and preventing child maltreatment: an update for pediatric clinicians.

Despite an increasing understanding of the impact of emotional trauma and physical abuse on children, clinicians and hospitals still sometimes miss the diagnosis of abuse. The literature in 2017 focused on creating standardized approaches to recognition and diagnosis of physical abuse and occult injury, including using the electronic medical record to provide triggers for consultation of the hospital Child Protection Program. The American College of Radiology updated their standardized approach to the evaluation of physical abuse in the child, and other authors gave us screening tools for commercial exploitation, as well as guidance about how to recognize risks for emotional abuse in families. The opioid epidemic and legalization of marijuana are both impacting children, and providers are searching for ways to provide support for parents with substance use disorders whilst considering the safety of children.This article reviews relevant publications during the past year about issues of child maltreatment. It is intended to guide those providers in primary care or other medical disciplines who care for children and families. Child maltreatment cases are still not always diagnosed, either because of provider bias (leading to under evaluation), or because clinicians lack experience or understanding of proper evaluation approaches. There are many new tools to assist in recognition of abuse, including screening instruments and flags that can be used in the electronic medical record to trigger a consult with the Child Protection Program. The evaluation and diagnosis of sexual abuse continues to evolve, with the literature providing advice about what is or is not normal on physical exam, as well as advice for providers who work with adolescent sexual assault victims. The debate about the validity of abusive head trauma (AHT) diagnoses continues, with sweden being the most recent center of controversy. With the opioid epidemic having such a significant effect on families and children, clinicians are struggling to support parents with substance use disorder while protecting children from the impact of their parents' disease. The past year in child abuse literature has yielded increased clarity in screening and diagnostic recommendations across the fields of physical abuse, AHT, sexual abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). The body of literature surrounding emotional abuse and neglect continues to grow, especially in light of the burgeoning opioid epidemic. Critically, the year's research reflects an evolving understanding of effective prevention and intervention initiatives to address child maltreatment.

Freedom and life project of adolescents victims of sexual abuse

Si bien es cierto, las personas mayores de 14 anos pueden decidir libremente sobre su sexualidad y no se requiere que alcancen la mayoria de edad para hacerlo, tambien es verdad que los adolescentes se encuentran en plena estructura de su personalidad y al presentarse determinadas circunstancias pueden ser manipulados, como es el caso del requerimiento para practicas sexuales efectuado por el padre, padrastro, tutor, profesor, psicologo u otra persona que ejerza autoridad sobre estos, en cuyo supuesto, su autodeterminacion sexual o consentimiento es afectado por este grado de dependencia. El derecho penal no brinda proteccion a los menores a partir de los 14 anos, que son victimas de abuso por parte de los adultos que ejercen autoridad o control sobre ellos, por su parte, la Corte Suprema de Justicia, jurisprudencialmente, ha senalado que las decisiones que adoptan los adolescentes en las circunstancias descritas, constituyen el libre ejercicio de su sexualidad. La presente investigacion analiza el grado de libertad, autonomia de la voluntad y derecho al bienestar de los adolescentes, los mismos que dependen de otros individuos para obtener la satisfaccion de sus necesidades basicas como alimentacion, vivienda y educacion y no poseen la capacidad para autodeterminarse libremente, hemos considerado necesario utilizar el metodo inductivo, analizado estos casos, evidenciandose la manipulacion de la que fueron objeto los menores, concluyendo que estos adolescentes no gozaron de libertad cuando aceptaron este acceso carnal y que producto de estas vivencias, han sufrido secuelas emocionales cronicas, por lo que consideramos debe sancionarse estas conductas.

Male sexual assaults in the Paris, France area: An observational study over 8 years

BackgroundMale sexual assaults were long ignored, possibly because of the myth acceptance that a man can only be the perpetrator of sexual assaults. It is increasingly admitted that all males can be victims of rape. We described the characteristics of a series of male adolescent and adult victims of sexual assault who had a forensic medical examination. MethodsWe conducted an observational study over 8 years. ResultsWe included 98 male patients aged 15 years and older (range 15–66, median 25) at the time of a reported sexual assault. Assailants were known by the victim in 59 cases (60%). Forty-four patients (45%) had physical or mental vulnerability. Anal penetration was reported in 49 cases (50%). Genital examination showed abnormalities compatible with traumatic injuries in 23 cases (24%). Psychological symptoms were found in 81 victims (83%), including shame (39, 40%) and anxiety (38, 39%). Of 98 victims, sperm could be detected in 6 cases (6%) (anal, 4; oral, 1; skin, 1). Male victims were more frequently disabled or vulnerable than female victims examined in the same centre (45% vs. 13%, p<0.001). At the one-month follow-up consultation, psychological symptoms, including sleep disorders and fear, were observed in most patients and the proportions of physical and psychological complaints were similar among male and female victims. ConclusionMale victims of sexual assault experienced high level of psychological trauma and felt more ashamed than women, which suggests that sexual assaults should be considered as severe among men as among women.

Impact of dental treatment on self-esteem and oral health selfperception of children and adolescents victims of sexual abuse

Objective: To evaluate the oral health self-perception and the influence of dental treatment on the multidisciplinary approach of adolescent victims of sexual abuse. Material and Methods: It was adopted a qualitative methodology that emphasized the deepening and comprehension of the answers obtained. Six adolescents, from both genders, victims of sexual abuse in the last two years, aged between 10 and 15, took part of the study. A questionnaire was applied before and after the dental treatment in order to evaluate changes in the self-perception and self-esteem of the individuals. The answers were categorized into two thematic axes with the use of the qualitative content analysis: self-perception and self-esteem. Psychological attendance prior and after the dental interventions enabled to comprehend the changes observed. Results: The participants presented a coherent self-perception in relation to the present clinical situation and an increase of their self-esteem after the dental interventions. Conclusion: Dental treatment contributed to improvements regarding self-esteem and oral health self-perception in victims of sexual abuse. KeywordsSelf-reported oral health; Sexual abuse; Dental aesthetic; Adolescent; Child.

Depression, anxiety and PTSD in sexually abused adolescents: Association with self-efficacy, coping and family support

Sexual abuse has the potential to generate serious emotional consequences for its victims, but there is high variability in the symptoms reported by different victims. Therefore, it is necessary to ascertain the factors associated with the symptoms presented by sexual abuse victims. The aim of the study was to use a single model to evaluate the relationship between sexual abuse characteristics (frequency, violence, relation with the aggressor and physical commitment), cognitive and behavioral factors (self-efficacy, active coping and perceived family support) and internalizing symptoms (anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress) in a group of sexually abused adolescents. The participants included 106 female adolescent victims of sexual abuse (M=14.25years, SD=1.74). The results of a path analysis indicated that sexual abuse characteristics were unrelated to symptomatology. Only a negative relationship was observed between the victim’s relationship with the aggressor and PTSD symptomatology. The violence of the sexual abuse was negatively related to self-efficacy, and self-efficacy was positively related to active coping and negatively related to symptomatology. Finally, the perception of family support was positively related to self-efficacy and negatively related to symptomatology. These results suggest the need to consider the studied factors in the process of psychotherapy with victims of sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse characteristics in Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil: from victims to aggressors, from diagnosis to treatment

Introduction: Sexual violence against children and adolescents in Brazil is an underreported public health problem. Knowing the profile of the victims and the factors related to each case is a strategy for the development of more effective public policies. Objective: To describe the profile of children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, characteristics of aggression and aggressors, consequences for victims, and legal actions related to sexual abuse. Methods: Sociodemographic characteristics of the victims were analyzed, as well as characteristics of the aggressors and aggression, and clinical, psychological, and legal aspects of 61 sexually abused patients admitted to the specialized outpatient clinic of the Network of Health for Violence and Sexual Abuse located in Santo Andre, Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Results: Victims had a mean age of 10.4 years, female (60.7%, n= 37), white (70.5%, n= 43), and admitted to the care network after of 72 hours of having been a victim of abuse (68.3%, n = 40). Most of the aggressions were by a sexual act (65.6%, n = 40) and by an individual known by the victim (72.1%, n= 44). As a result of sexual abuse, the children had a change in family composition (42.6%, n = 26), cognitive disturbances (34.4%, n= 21), emotional disturbances (83.6%, n= 51), and behavioral disorders (54.1%, n= 33). Two-thirds of the cases resulted in a police investigation, only 20% of the offenders were convicted. Conclusion: Girls suffer sexual abuse where the perpetrator is known and close to the family; they delay seeking health services and can present mental disorders related to those abuses, but the perpetrators remain unpunished in most cases.