Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Exploring the Dynamics of Communication in the Handling of Child Victims of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: A Case Study in the Women's and Children's Protection Technical Implementation Unit, Pekanbaru City Government in Indonesia

This study aims to examine the dynamics of communication in handling intrafamilial child sexual abuse, with a case study of RR, a child victim of sexual abuse by her stepfather and cousin, reported to the Technical Implementation Unit for the Protection of Women and Children (Unit Pelaksana Teknis Perlindungan Perempuan dan Anak/UPT PPA) of the Pekanbaru City Government. Data collection techniques include in-depth interviews, observations, and document studies. Using the constructivist paradigm and the social construction theory by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann, the collected data were analyzed qualitatively to explore how communication patterns and interactions among the involved parties, including the UPT PPA team, the victim, the victim's family, the Social Services, the Police, Legal Aid, orphanages, and other informal parties, build the social reality of child protection for the victim RR. Data sources were selected using purposive sampling based on criteria until saturation was reached. The findings indicate that despite communication barriers and non-cooperation from the family, effective communication and good coordination among all involved parties are crucial to ensuring the recovery and ongoing legal process for the child victim of sexual abuse. An empathetic, sensitive, and collaborative approach can help the victim feel supported and gradually recover from the traumatic experience. Collaboration between institutions plays an essential role in providing protection and social rehabilitation for RR. The dynamics of communication in handling intrafamilial child sexual abuse involve the dialectical processes of externalization, objectification, and internalization among the various parties involved. Received: 30 July 2024 / Accepted: 28 October 2024 / Published: 05 November 2024

PROTOCOL: Risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse and interventions against child sexual abuse: An umbrella review.

This is the protocol for a Campbell Collaboration systematic review. Our objective is to conduct an umbrella review to synthesize published and unpublished systematic reviews focused on risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse and effectiveness of interventions against child sexual abuse perpetration and victimization. Specific research questions are: (i) what are the risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse victimization, and what are their relative strength and/or magnitude for predicting child sexual abuse victimization? (ii) what are the risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse perpetration, and what are their relative strength and/or magnitude for predicting child sexual abuse perpetration? (iii) are interventions aimed at reducing and/or preventing child sexual abuse effective? (iv) what are the moderators that increase or decrease effectiveness of the interventions? Efforts to decrease child sexual abuse need to be based on research, but more accessible evidence regarding the breadth of risk and protective factors and effectiveness of interventions to reduce child sexual abuse needs to be provided to policymakers. This will be the first umbrella review that comprehensively synthesizes findings of the previous systematic reviews that focus on risk and protective factors for child sexual abuse and interventions to prevent or reduce child sexual abuse. The results will be able to inform enhanced prevention policy and programs, and regulatory measures for specific contexts of child sexual abuse.

Analisis Pertimbangan Majelis Hakim Atas Pelaksanaan Restitusi Terhadap Pemenuhan Hak Anak Korban Tindak Pidanan Pencabulan

In this study, the specific case related to the implementation of restitution in a child sexual abuse case is addressed in Decision Number: 114/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Kot Agung, which has become final and legally binding (Inkracht). The judge did not fully grant the restitution request submitted by the child victim of sexual abuse in the decision. The theories utilized in this research are the Theory of Judicial Consideration and the Theory of Legal Utility.. This research is normative or doctrinal legal research. The approach methods used in this study are analytical, statutory, and case approaches. The types and sources of legal materials utilized involve literature review, collecting secondary data consisting of primary legal materials, secondary legal materials, and tertiary legal materials. The data analysis in this legal research employs qualitative data analysis.The research findings indicate that the judge's consideration in decisions regarding restitution requests submitted by victims of sexual abuse, through the public prosecutor's indictment in Decision Number 114/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Kot Agung, is based on a thorough evaluation of the evidence presented, the condition of the victim, and the offender's ability to pay restitution. Besides justice in judicial considerations, the principle of legal utility in the judge's assessment of restitution plays a crucial role in ensuring that legal decisions are not only fair but also practically beneficial to the victim. Furthermore, the ideal concept for implementing restitution as a means of fulfilling rights and providing benefits for child victims of sexual abuse should include several essential elements: comprehensive and clear regulations, consistent law enforcement, easy access for victims, transparency and accountability, and prevention and rehabilitation. This ideal concept aims to offer better protection and justice for crime victims and ensure that offenders are held accountable for the impact of their actions

Personal, Family, and Environmental Factors Associated with Somatic Complaints in School-Aged Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

Personal, Family, and Environmental Factors Associated with Somatic Complaints in School-Aged Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

The Portuguese Version of Victim Empathy Distortion Scale: Adaptation and Psychometric Properties

AbstractVictim empathy is a common intervention target in intervention programs designed for individuals who perpetrated child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers have developed the Victim Empathy Distortion Scale (VES), an instrument designed to assess empathy for victims of CSA. The present study aims to adapt the VES for the Portuguese population and examine its psychometric properties. One hundred and twelve individuals who perpetrated CSA and 245 individuals from the community participated in this study. The confirmatory factor analysis did not show satisfactory indices for the structures previously tested. Consequently, the search for an alternative model revealed a two-factor structure, explaining approximately 50% of the total variance. Results also indicated good internal consistency, discriminant validity, and known-groups validity. Overall, the results support the claim that the Portuguese version of the VES is a valuable and psychometrically reliable instrument for measuring victim empathy in forensic and non-forensic settings.

Trajectories of academic performance in sexually abused children and potential correlates

Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is associated with detrimental consequences in children, including lower academic performance. However, studies have rarely explored the diversity of longitudinal academic profiles among CSA victims. Objectives: The objectives of this study were (1) to identify trajectories of academic performance in CSA victims and (2) to explore potential correlates of these trajectories. Participants and settings: The study involved 738 Canadian children between the ages of 5 and 14 who had experienced CSA and their non-offending parent and their teacher. Methods: At three different assessment times, spaced 6 months apart, the child’s teacher was invited to complete a questionnaire regarding the child’s academic performance. Measures of potential correlates of the trajectories were assessed by teacher (child’s behavior problems), parents (children’s experience of peer victimization) and children (coping strategies). Results: The three-trajectory model was selected as the final model. The High functioning trajectory (42%) included children who exhibited high academic performance at the first assessment but decreased slightly over time. The Low and Increasing trajectory (16%) identified children whose academic results were initially low but improved over time. Finally, the Moderate and Stable trajectory (42%) comprised children with an average academic performance over time. Compared to the other two groups, children in the High functioning trajectory were less likely to report peer victimization and show externalizing and internalizing behavior problems as assessed by caregiver and teacher. They were also younger and living in more socially and economically advantaged backgrounds. Conclusions: These results emphasize the crucial role of available resources in a child’s environment and their protective effect on their academic adaptation.

Identifying PTSD and Complex PTSD Profiles in Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

ABSTRACT Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are frequent in child victims of sexual abuse. Authors argued that early trauma could lead to alterations in development that go far beyond the primary symptoms of PTSD and have proposed that Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) involving alterations in attachment, biology, affect regulation, consciousness, behavioral regulation, cognition, and self-concept, may better describe children experiencing chronic trauma at an early developmental stage. The aim of the study was to disentangle the diversity of profiles in child victims of sexual abuse based on the C-PTSD framework. Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct subgroups in a sample of 861 sexually abused children aged 6 to 12. Children and their non-offending parents completed questionnaires evaluating PTSD symptoms and measures documenting alterations in development characteristics of C-PTSD. Latent profile analysis identified a best-fitting model consisting of three profiles: PTSD (40.7% of children), Resilient (32.8% of children), and C-PTSD (26.5% of children). Compared to others, children in the C-PTSD profile were more likely to have experienced more forms of interpersonal trauma and showed impairments in several domains. Findings underscore the importance of tailoring interventions to efficiently address the needs of young victims of sexual trauma.

Childhood Sexual Abuse & Sexual Revictimization Among Sexual Minority Men

ABSTRACT Sexual minority (SM) men’s sexual revictimization (SR; i.e. experiences of adult victimization among childhood sexual abuse survivors) is an understudied topic despite evidence that SM men are disproportionately impacted by sexual violence (SV) over the life course. This study addresses this gap utilizing a diverse sample (n = 2859) of SM men (age 18–30) from the U.S. Results demonstrated that over 10% of SM men had experienced SR. Further, strength-based (e.g. sense of LGBTQIA2S+ community) and minority-stress (e.g. internalized homonegativity) related factors were examined as moderators of the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault victimization (ASAV) in the past six months. One factor emerged as a significant moderator of the CSA-ASAV relationship: perceived discrimination. Practice-based implications are provided.

“But I wanted to talk about it”: Technology-assisted child sexual abuse victims’ reasoning for delayed disclosure

BackgroundVictim disclosure is crucial in uncovering and preventing child sexual abuse, but many victims are reluctant to disclose. While research on child sexual abuse has identified a range of barriers and facilitators for disclosure, the disclosure process for technology-assisted child sexual abuse (TA-CSA) is largely unexplored. ObjectiveGain a first-person perspective on TA-CSA disclosure. Participants and settingSeven young women (aged 7–13 at onset of abuse, 17–24 at interview) were interviewed about the barriers to disclosure they had faced and potential facilitating factors that would have helped them disclose earlier. MethodsThe interviews were analyzed using data-driven reflexive thematic analysis. ResultsA wish to tell captures the desire to have had someone to share abusive experiences with. Fearing who would find out encapsulates the fear that disclosing to one person will spread beyond the initial disclosure. A need for a cue reflects the participants' lack of knowledge and the need for invitations to talk about sex and abuse. Fearing it was my fault conveys the participants' sense of guilt and their wish to understand that they were not to blame. ConclusionsDespite a wish to disclose, shame, guilt, and fear were barriers that held them back. Knowledge about TA-CSA, and invitations to the topic were seen as potential facilitators. Four suggested facilitating factors for disclosure, which society and the adult world should prioritize, were synthesized from the interviews: open dialogue on sensitive topics, providing an opportunity to tell, allowing the child to be in control of the story, and lifting the shame and self-blame.

Interpersonal Difficulties Arising from Child Sexual Abuse: Differences Between Intra-familial and Extra-familial Abuse Victims.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) often has serious implications for the victims. The scientific literature reflects a diversity of sequelae that may appear in the short and long term. Interpersonal difficulties have been shown to be one of the most common consequences. However, studies comparing these sequelae between victims of intra-familial (IF) and extra-familial (EF) CSA are scarce. The aim of this research was to analyze differences in dyadic satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and attachment patterns in adulthood between Spanish IF victims, EF victims, and non-victims of CSA. The Sexual Victimization Subscale of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire, the Relationship Assessment Scale, the New Sexual Satisfaction Scale, and the Adult Attachment Questionnaire were administered to 140 adults (94 CSA victims and 46 non-victims) aged 18 to 54 years. CSA victims scored lower than the non-victims on the personal sexual satisfaction factor and attachment factors characterized by the need for approval, hostile resolution of conflicts, and emotional self-sufficiency. Statistically significant differences were also found between the victim groups in the factors characterized by the need for approval and communication of feelings and comfort with relationships showing the IF group to have more impairment in these areas than the EF group. In conclusion, CSA may have serious implications for the development of victims' interpersonal relationships. The context of sexual abuse and the relationship between victim and offender appears to play a role in the development of relational problems. These findings highlight the need to implement specific strategies in the psychological treatment of victims depending on their relationship with the offender and the environment in which the abuse occurred.

Eksistensi Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Sebagai Akibat Tindak Pidana Pencabulan di Kabupaten Gianyar

Children have limitations in understanding and protecting themselves from various influences of the existing system. When children are involved in legal issues, the state must provide protection to children through laws and regulations including Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System. Sexual intercourse with children is an act that is categorized as rape and obscenity, and usually sexual intercourse is carried out by adults to children under the age of 15, therefore the formulation of the problem is raised, namely: 1) What is the legal protection against child victims of sexual abuse in Gianyar Regency? and 2) What are the criminal sanctions against perpetrators of criminal acts of child molestation in Gianyar Regency? This study uses an empirical research type. The results obtained from legal protection for child victims of abuse are that they have received legal protection as stipulated in Law No. 35 of 2014 on amendments to Law No. 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection. Criminal sanctions obtained by perpetrators of child abuse are a minimum of 3 years and a maximum of 15 years in prison and a minimum fine of Rp. 60 million and a maximum of Rp. 300 million.

Psycho-social sufferings and sexual difficulties among female survivors of child sexual abuse in Pakistan

BackgroundChild sexual abuse is a universal social challenge and the victims of childhood sexual abuse suffer a range of short and long term psychological, social, behavioral and physical problems that vary in different cultures. The study was carried out to explore the perceived impacts of childhood sexual abuse in Pakistan, because no such study was conducted in Pakistan earlier.MethodsInterpretative phenomenological analysis was used to analyze the data. A snowball sampling technique was used to approach the sample of current study. The sample of the study comprised ten female survivors of childhood sexual abuse of age ranged between 18 and 22 years (Mage= 20.10 years) with the education ranging from matric to BSc. Out of these participants, four were married and six were unmarried and belonged to different cities of Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected via a semi-structured interview schedule and all interviews were verbatim transcribed.ResultsA rigorous iterative process of data analysis resulted in three super-ordinate themes and ten sub-ordinate themes: Experiencing Abuse (emotional trauma, and physical distress), Psycho-social Distress (low self-esteem, negative self-concept, psychological pain, social suffering, and retaliation vs. forgiveness), and Sexual Difficulties (passive role, emotionally aloof, aversion from hetero-sexuality and avoidance).ConclusionIt was concluded that childhood sexual abuse is an intense experience that has short- and long-term negative impacts on the lives of female survivors and engulfs their lives as a whole. The study has implications for psychiatrists, psychologists, family counselors, social scientists, educationists, and parents.

Epidemiological, clinical and psychological aspects of victims of female child sexual abuse in the gynaecology and obstetrics department of tertiary hospital, Karnataka

Child sexual abuse is an alarming reality that although is recognized as a serious violation of human well-being and of the law often goes unreported or overlooked. The present study was planned to identify the clinic-social profile of victims of child sexual abuse, circumstances under which these heinous crimes have occurred and study the psychological status of the victims. A retrospective record-based study from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2021 conducted in a tertiary care hospital of north Karnataka, India. All the female patients aged less than 18 years admitted during our investigation period who were victims of child sexual abuse were included in the study. All case reports obtained from the medical record division and fulfilling the inclusion criteria were scrutinized by the authors for completeness of data. The data was entered in MS excel master sheet and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 22. A total of 158 victims of female child sexual abuse were documented in our centre. The age of the victims ranged from 1 to 17 years and that of abusers varied from 15 years to 75 years. For most incidents, the offenders were known to the victims. The highest incidence of sexual assault was reported in abusers’ home, followed by victim’s home. Majority of the female children were abused multiple times (45.6%). There is an urgent need for comprehensive prevention programs, awareness campaigns, accessible support services, public awareness campaigns and legal enhancements to address CSA effectively in schools and communities that educate children on recognizing and reporting abuse.

The Role of Social Workers at the Social Department of Kendari City in Psychosocial Recovery of Child Victims of Sexual Violence

This study aims to understand and find out the role of workers in psychosocial assistance for children victims of sexual violence at the Kendari City Social Departement. Qualitative descriptive methods are used to describe social situations related to the role and stages of mentoring. The research informants were selected through purposive sampling, including social workers, psychologists, victims' children, and parents. The data in this study was obtained through interviews, observations and documentation studies, the data obtained was then analyzed qualitatively with an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawn. The results of the study show that the psychological rehabilitation of child victims of sexual abuse involves several important phases. Educational programs on recovery and mental health help children understand and manage the psychological impact of experienced violence. Social support from family, friends, and the community is also crucial in the healing process, making children feel welcome and supported. Social workers act as mediators, educators, and motivators in this process. They help children cope with the adverse effects of their experiences, establish safe communication, and formulate effective recovery plans. In addition, social workers provide information to the community about the psychological impact of sexual violence and help children learn good coping mechanisms. This psychosocial support typically results in a noticeable improvement in the physical and mental health of the victim's children, allowing them to recover from trauma, improve mental health, and rebuild positive social relationships.

Simptom-Simptom Trauma pada Anak Korban Kekerasan Seksual di Aceh

This study aims to identify and analyze trauma symptoms in child victims of sexual abuse in Aceh. Sexual violence against children is a serious issue that can cause long-term psychological impacts, significantly affecting their emotional and social development. Using a descriptive method, this research seeks to uncover the trauma symptoms in children who have experienced sexual abuse.The findings of this study indicate that child victims of sexual abuse in Aceh experience significant trauma symptoms, encompassing three main aspects: reexperience, avoidance, and hyperarousal. These symptoms not only impact the emotional condition of the children but also affect their behavior, social interactions, and future prospects. This study emphasizes the importance of appropriate and immediate intervention for child victims of sexual abuse, given the significant psychological impact. A comprehensive and sustainable approach is essential to ensure the emotional and social well-being of children who have been victims of sexual abuse, helping them build a better future

Practices of social rehabilitation of sexually abused children

PurposeTo find the most effective ways to support and rehabilitate children suffering from the effects of sexual abuse to improve their quality of life, restore their psychological well-being and provide them with appropriate social support. MethodsThe research used the analytical method and a typological approach. ResultsDifferent types of sexual violence experienced by children including incest, sexual rape, internet rape and sexual exploitation were explored. In addition, the work identified risk factors that contribute to sexual abuse and protective factors that reduce the probability of such incidents occurring. As a result of the research, a programme of work with child victims of sexual abuse was developed, which included six specific stages aimed at the rehabilitation of a child traumatised by sexual abuse. The programme includes getting to know the traumatised child, assessing the fact of sexual abuse, planning the child's care, conducting therapeutic and rehabilitation measures, implementing social and psychological support and monitoring the results of rehabilitation. ConclusionThis research can be used by professionals in the fields of psychology, psychotherapy, social work and medicine who work with children and adolescents who have experienced such trauma.

Psychological intervention in women victims of childhood sexual abuse: a randomized controlled clinical trial comparing EMDR psychotherapy and trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy.

Childhood sexual abuse persists as a painful societal reality, necessitating responses from institutions and healthcare professionals to prevent and address its severe long-term consequences in victims. This study implements an intervention comprising two psychotherapeutic approaches recommended by the WHO and international clinical guidelines for addressing short-, medium-, and long-term posttraumatic symptomatology: Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). Both approaches are adapted from group formats for implementation in small online groups via Zoom. The impact of both therapeutic approaches on trauma improvement was assessed in a sample of 19 women who were victims of childhood sexual abuse through a Randomized Clinical Trial comparing EMDR Psychotherapy and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy after a baseline period. Intra and inter comparison were made using statistics appropriate to the sample. Both therapeutic approaches significantly reduced symptomatology across various evaluated variables, suggesting their efficacy in improving the quality of life for these individuals. Following CBT-FT treatment, patients exhibited enhanced emotional regulation, reduced reexperiencing, and avoidance. The EMDR group, utilizing the G-TEP group protocol, significantly improved dissociation, along with other crucial clinical variables and the perception of quality of life. Although the limitations of this study must be taken into account due to the size of the sample and the lack of long-term follow-up, the results align with existing scientific literature, underscoring the benefits of trauma-focused psychological treatments. The online group format appears promising for enhancing the accessibility of psychological treatment for these women. Furthermore, the differential outcomes of each treatment support recent research advocating for the inclusion of both approaches for individuals with trauma-related symptomatology. The study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Valencian International University (VIU) (Valencia, Spain) (Ref. CEID2021_07). The results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals and disseminated to the scientific community. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04813224, identifier NCT04813224.

Child Sexual Abuse Victimization Amongst Detained Adolescents and Incarcerated Young Adults: Findings from an Australian Population-Based Birth Cohort Study

ABSTRACT To guide prevention and intervention efforts, the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) victimization among detained and incarcerated populations requires further examination, particularly with consideration of multi-type maltreatment experiences and sex-based variations. This longitudinal population-based study explores these relationships in an Australian birth cohort comprising all individuals born in Queensland in 1983 and 1984 (n = 82,409; 48.68% female). Data include all notified and substantiated harm(s) from child protection services (0 to 17 years), and sentences to youth detention and/or adult incarceration between ages 10 and 30. Findings indicate greater prevalence of CSA amongst detained/incarcerated individuals compared to the general population but emphasize the impact of cooccurring maltreatment (particularly neglect) on the likelihood of custodial outcomes. Important sex-based differences were noted in the intersection of CSA victimization and detention/incarceration. Findings reinforce the need for trauma-informed practices when working with custodial populations, particularly females, and highlight opportunities for prevention of detention/incarceration in at-risk populations, in line with a broader public health approach to child protection.

Child Sexual Abuse Victimization and Parenting

Child Sexual Abuse Victimization and Parenting

The Value of Restitution and Diversion in the Law Enforcement of Criminal Sexual Violence Against Children

The process of shifting the criminal justice system's case resolution process for offenses involving minor sexual assault to an outside location is known as diversion. One kind of diversion is returning money to victims of child sexual abuse; nevertheless, diversion and restitution are typically used less frequently in the criminal justice system. For this study, the following question was posed: Does law enforcement adhere to the juvenile criminal justice system when it comes to enforcing diversion and providing compensation for offenses involving sexual abuse of children? The study's technique is juridical-normative and follows the law. The study's findings show that law enforcement officers at all levels still stray from advised procedures even in the face of attempts to implement diversion within the criminal justice system. In order to make diversion mandatory during police investigations, public prosecutors' prosecutions, and judicial panel trials, rules and regulations that offer legal certainty are required.