Victims Of Child Sexual Abuse Research Articles

Behavioural Problems Associated with Child Sexual Abuse in Adolescents: A Retrospective Study

Backgroud/aim: Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a public health problem with negative effects on the mental health and development of children and adolescents. The aim of this study was to identify the psychiatric outcomes of child sexual abuse and the trauma-related behavioural and emotional problems in adolescents. Method: 136 CSA victims and 136 age and gender-matched control group participated in the study between 1 December 2010 and 31 December 2013. Diagnostic evaluation of the CSA victims was applied with the criteria of the DSM-IV-TR by child and adolescent psychiatrists and behavioral and emotional problems were assessed by the Youth Self Report. Results: CSA victims are 86.0% were female and %30.1 expereinced multiple sexual abuse events. %72.1 of CSA victims has psychiatric diagnosis on Axis 1. Compared to age-matched controls Internalizing problems (p<0.001), Anxiety/depression (p<0.001), Withdrawn (p<0.001), and Rule breaking behaviour (p=0.002) scores are higher in the CSA group. Conclusion: Specific problems following a traumatic event may be important in respect of treatment and a formulation to understand the psychopathology. There is a need for longitudinal childhood studies to investigate the mediators of the psychopathology and to understand the emotional and behavioural problems of CSA victims.

The Characteristics of Child Sexual Abuse in the School Environment in Turkey

ABSTRACTSchool may represent a protective factor, boosting the mental health of the student body, while also representing a risk factor that heightens the potential for mental health problems. The present study aims to identify the individual and familial characteristics associated with the incidents of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Turkey’s school environment. The incidents involving school-related CSA constituted 5.6% (N = 125) of 2,238 cases. The following was discovered: an adult committed the majority (64%) of CSA in the school environment; most adult perpetrators were teachers (62.5%). This study determined that the perpetrators manipulated the victims via methods that included physical abuse (11.2%), threats (19.2%), tricks/deception (15.2%), and taking photographs/videos with sexual content (3.2%); and CSA incidents involved intercourse (15.2%); and almost three-quarter of the victims of CSA in the school environment reported the incident late. This study indicates that peer perpetrators abuse younger victims and a greater proportion of male victims relative to adult perpetrators. In light of these findings, school security must be improved, especially in public schools, and trainings aimed at preventing bullying and sexual abuse (SA) should be given to all school staff, students, and parents.

A longitudinal perspective on boys as victims of childhood sexual abuse in South Africa: Consequences for adult mental health.

Childhood sexual abuse of boys was examined in a longitudinal cohort in South Africa, with data on abuse collected at six age points between 11 and 18 years. Potential personal and social vulnerability of male sexual abuse victims was explored and mental health outcomes of sexually abused boys were examined at age 22-23 years. Reports of all sexual activity - touching, oral and penetrative sex - increased with age and sexual coercion decreased with age. Almost all sexual activity at 11 years of age was coerced, with the highest rates of coercion occurring between 13 and14 years of age; 45% of reports of coerced touching were reported at age 14, 41 percent of coerced oral sex at age 13, and 31% of coerced penetrative sex at age 14. Sexual coercion was perpetrated most frequently by similar aged peers, and although gender of the assailant was less often reported, it can be presumed that perpetration is by males. Boys who experienced childhood sexual abuse tended to be smaller (shorter) and from poorer families. No relationships to measured childhood intelligence, pubertal stage, marital status of mother or presence of the father were found. There was no significant association between reports of childhood sexual abuse and mental health in adulthood and when personal and social vulnerabilities were taken into account.

Association of Adverse Childhood Experiences and Food Addiction to Bariatric Surgery Completion and Weight Loss Outcome.

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are known risk factors for obesity and poor outcomes following weight loss interventions. ACEs are also associated with addictive behaviors and, potentially, food addiction (FA). This study examined the relationship between ACEs and FA, and their association to undergoing bariatric surgery and post-surgical weight loss outcomes. Between June 2013 and January 2016, 1586 bariatric-surgery-seeking patients completed a psychological evaluation. During their evaluation, the patients were administered measures including the ACE questionnaire and the Yale Food Addiction Scale. 19.2% of those seeking bariatric surgery reported being the victim of childhood sexual abuse, and 22.1% reported being the victim of childhood physical abuse. An elevated ACE score corresponded to increased likelihood of screening positive for FA and more severe FA. When the type of ACE was analyzed separately, ACE was not associated with bariatric surgery completion or percent total weight loss (%TWL). Screening positive for FA corresponded to less %TWL 1year post-surgery as the total number of ACEs increased, yet there was no association with %TWL 2years post-surgery. The participants were classified into two groups, those positive for an ACE or FA versus those negative for both. Those who screened positive were significantly less likely to undergo bariatric surgery. Screening positive for experiencing ACEs was related to severity of FA, and screening positive for being the victim of either childhood abuse or FA reduced the likelihood of completing bariatric surgery. More research is needed to determine how these psychosocial factors might influence bariatric surgery outcomes.

Situational Factors Related to Childhood Sexual Abuse in the Orthodox Jewish Community Among Adult and Juvenile Offenders

ABSTRACTIn recent years, increasing attention has been paid to situational factors associated with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) to explain incidence of CSA, as well as to provide potential targets for prevention efforts. However, very few studies have examined situational factors associated with juvenile perpetration, despite juveniles composing a substantial proportion of offenders. In addition, no studies to our knowledge have applied a situational framework to CSA research in the Orthodox Jewish community (OJC). In the present study, we obtained data from therapists regarding 80 victims of CSA in the OJC from both the United States and Israel. We hypothesized that (a) more abusers’ first perpetration would be between ages 12 and 17 than between any other age range, which corresponds to increased sexual urges, as well as increased unsupervised access to minors; (b) among juvenile offenders, the time of day of the abuse would depend on the relationship of the offender to the victim; and (c) age of the victim and grooming strategies would be associated with the frequency of abuse. Our first two hypotheses were confirmed, and our third hypothesis was partially confirmed, as younger victims tended to have higher frequency of abuse. Additionally, we discuss possible implications of significant correlations found during exploratory analyses. Our results generally support the importance of considering culturally specific situational factors when studying or developing prevention efforts for CSA.

An analysis of avoidant and approach coping as mediators of the relationship between paternal and maternal attachment security and outcomes in child victims of sexual abuse.

Prior studies have documented the potential role of nonoffending parent support in promoting recovery of adult survivors following sexual abuse (SA). However, few studies have distinguished the maternal and paternal role and the mechanisms by which quality of the parent-child relationship might foster more positive outcomes in child victims. The purpose of this study was to examine coping strategies as mediators of the link between mother-child and father-child relationship and outcomes following child SA. A sample of 505 children (339 girls and 166 boys) ages 6-13 years completed measures evaluating perceived attachment security to mother and father (Kerns Security Scale; Kerns, Klepac, & Cole, 1996), as well as coping strategies related to the SA experienced (Self-Reported Coping Scale; Causey & Dubow, 1992). Outcomes evaluated were posttraumatic stress symptoms (PSS; Children's Impact of Traumatic Events Scale-II [CITES-II]; Wolfe, 2002) and self-esteem (Harter, 1985). Results indicated that, in girls, both attachment security to the mother and to the father are associated with lower PSS symptoms and higher self-esteem through a lesser use of avoidant coping. Avoidance coping mediated the link between attachment security to the mother and outcomes in boys. In addition, security in the relationship with the same-sex parent was associated with approach coping, which in turn was associated with both outcomes for girls and with PSS for boys. Findings highlight the importance of involving both parents in interventions for sexually abused children as mothers and fathers appear to play different, yet complementary roles in sustaining children's recovery. (PsycINFO Database Record

Victims of child sexual abuse: Understanding their need for justice

This study examined, via 23 in-depth interviews, how victims express their expectations concerning the criminal justice system (CJS), focusing on adults who suffered sexual abuse as children. Previous research has rarely studied how sexual assault victims and, particularly, victims of child sexual abuse, perceive CJS. In this study the perceptions of both victims who had contact with the CJS and those who had not reported the crime were examined. We found that victims' expectations are highly focused on the verdict imposing a prison sentence, but the demand for punishment can be viewed as a symbolic subrogation of a desire for justice, largely associated with the need for recognition and validation, which the CJS is able to satisfy only in a very limited way. The study confirms the importance of properly implement the provisions of EU Directive 29/2012, according to which victims should be given support irrespective of whether they have reported the crime.

PTSD correlates with somatization in sexually abused children: Type of abuse moderates the effect of PTSD on somatization

PurposeSomatization is a major post-traumatic symptom in sexually abused children. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and somatization, and between intelligence and somatization in child sexual abuse victims and to elucidate whether type of abuse had an effect on the relationship between PTSD symptoms and somatization.MethodsThis study evaluated the somatizations (Child Behavioral Checklist/6–18 [CBCL]), PTSD symptoms (Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children [TSCC]), and intelligence levels of 63 sexually abused children. Correlation and regression analyses were performed to predict somatization based on PTSD symptoms, intelligence, age, and type of sexual abuse, and to find moderating effect of type of abuse on the effect of PTSD symptom on somatization.ResultsPTSD symptoms (β = 0.471, p = 0.001) and intelligence (β = 0.327, p = 0.021) were associated with somatization. Type of abuse was not, by itself, correlated with somatization (β = 0.158, p = 0.281), but it did have a moderating effect on the effect of PTSD symptoms on somatization (Type of abuse*PTSD symptoms, β = -0.299, p = 0.047). PTSD symptoms were associated with somatization only among those who experienced the molestation type of abuse.ConclusionsSomatization in sexually abused children was influenced by the severity of PTSD symptoms and intelligence, and the effect of the PTSD symptoms on somatization was moderated by type of abuse. Specifically, the rape type of abuse may attenuate the effect of post-traumatic symptoms on somatization.

Gender Differences Related to the Types of Sexually Abusive Incidents Encountered by Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Prior studies have suggested that specific characteristics of sexually abusive experiences, including the presence of force and penetration, have been proposed to account for much of the harm caused by childhood sexual abuse. Though many studies have documented gender differences in the prevalence and sequelae of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), few have examined gender differences related to the types of abusive incidents that victims have encountered, and all have been limited to clinical samples. Illuminating gender differences in the nature of sexually abusive experiences may help to account for gender disparities related to the sequelae of CSA. Extending this line of research to nonclinical samples will help to estimate the overall prevalence of CSA and assess the generalizability of previous study findings. This study examined gender differences in the types of sexually abusive incidents self-reported by 155 victims of CSA who were students enrolled in an undergraduate psychology course at a large southeastern university. Although Chi square analyses failed to reveal any significant gender differences related to the involvement of force in CSA incidents, results did indicate that males were significantly more likely to report being victimized by incidents involving penetration (41.0% vs. 24.1%). Additional statistically significant gender differences included findings that a greater proportion of males (61.5%) than females (37.1%) reported touching the genitals of someone at least five years older before the age of 16, and that males were more likely to report having engaged in anal intercourse before the age of 16 with someone at least five years older (12.8% vs. 2.6%).

The prevalence of unfounded suspicions of child sexual abuse in Finland

Scholars and investigators of child sexual abuse (CSA) have long pointed out that some CSA allegations may be unfounded. However, no population-based estimates of the occurrence of false allegations have previously been undertaken. The present study presents the first population-based prevalence estimates of unfounded allegations of CSA. We analyzed two data collections: first, a representative sample of adolescents (N = 11,364; aged 12 or 15 years), and second, a representative sample of adults (N = 2484, mean age 34 years). Experiences of CSA were reported by 2.4% of adolescents and 8.9% of adults. Unfounded suspicions of CSA (e.g. someone falsely believing CSA had taken place) were reported by 1.5% of adolescents and 1.9% of adults. Of the unfounded suspicions, 14.5 and 9.1%, for adolescents and adults, respectively, had been reported to the authorities. The prevalence of CSA seems to decrease while more and more allegations reach the authorities. Whereas a low threshold for reporting suspicions of CSA to authorities is in the interest of protecting as many actual CSA victims as possible, more research is needed to separate unfounded versus founded allegations to minimize the risk of erroneous conclusions in investigations of CSA.

Career Development and Educational Status of the Sexual Abuse Victims: The First Data from Turkey

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is not only a serious danger for children and families, but it is also a problem that concerns society economically and spiritually. The aim of this study is to examine career choices and educational problems of individuals who have experienced CSA. Participants of this study consist of 73 CSA victims. The data have been collected via a telephone survey. According to the findings, 83.6% of the victims attended their formal education during the time they reported CSA, and only 38 participants (51%) continued into higher education. Also, it was determined that approximately 51% of them dropped out of school, and 72% of them experienced problems at school due to CSA. When the victims’ reasons for dropping out of school were examined before and after CSA, it was seen that victims dropped out of school due to CSA (44.2%) mostly. In addition to these, it was found that approximately 25% of victims could not concentrate on classes, 56% of them had a drop in their academic success, 30% of them were reluctant to go to school or had absence, 25% of them repeated a grade, and 23% of them switched schools. Also, it was determined that 56.2% of the participants wanted to continue their education. Findings were discussed in the light of relevant literature.

Child-Parent Relationship Therapy with Extra-Familial Abused Children

ABSTRACTSexual abuse by a perpetrator outside of the family is the most prevalent form of child sexual abuse. It is associated with serious consequences for both the child and his family. Surprisingly, however, the issue of extra-familial sexual abuse has received very little research and clinical attention. The purpose of the current study was to explore the effectiveness of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), which uses nondirective play therapy tools, among parents of extra-familial abused children and their parents. In order to do so, data was collected from 51 parents who participated in CPRT, at three points in time: pretreatment stage, at the beginning of the first meeting; and in the post treatment stage. The data included the parents’ reports via three questionnaires: Parenting Stress Inventory (PSI), Compassion Fatigue Self-Test (CFST), Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Overall, the results indicated a decrease in internalizing and externalizing symptoms among the children, as well as in parenting stress and in parental secondary trauma symptoms. This study contributes to the literature on interventions with victims of extra-familial child abuse and their parents. Specifically, the results highlight the benefits and importance of involving both parents and children in therapeutic interventions for victims of extra-familial child sexual abuse, with particular emphasis on the benefits of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy.

From one girl to ‘three girls’: the importance of separating agency from blame (and harm from wrongfulness) in narratives of childhood sexual abuse and exploitation

In May 2012, nine men from Rochdale were convicted and jailed for grooming girls with alcohol, drugs and gifts before forcing them to have sex with multiple men. Following the case in Rochdale similar cases of grooming and sexual abuse/exploitation of young girls came to light in various towns and cities across the UK. In 2017, the BBC aired the drama Three Girls which featured the story of three of the victims whose abusers were ultimately jailed in May 2012, including one whose story of abuse was not listened to and whose abusers were ultimately not charged with abusing her (although they were charged with abusing other young girls). In this paper, I draw parallels between the experiences of these three girls and another victim of childhood sexual abuse (interviewed as part of an ESRC funded research project) to show how the central features of this story (childhood sexual innocence and victims’ lack of agency) are deeply problematic not only for victims and child protection services, but also for how teachers and other education professionals understand children and young people’s sexuality and CSA (a term I use to include child sexual exploitation or CSE) and ultimately how they respond to victims.

A comparison of risk factors for various forms of trauma in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual and heterosexual homeless youth

ABSTRACTNumerous homeless youth experience trauma prior to leaving home and while on the street. Bullying and trading sex (i.e. exchanging sexual favors for survival items such as food) are additional forms of trauma experienced by many homeless youth. Although lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) homeless youth experience higher rates of child abuse compared to their heterosexual counterparts, there is a paucity of research comparing these two groups. As such, we compare whether difficulties finding items of necessity (e.g. food) and different forms of trauma including child sexual abuse, being bullied, trading sex, and street sexual victimization significantly differ for LGB and heterosexual homeless youth. Bivariate results reveal that LGB youth have more trouble finding shelter and are more likely to trade sex compared to heterosexual youth. Logistic regression results show that trading sex is correlated with street sexual victimization. In the second model, we find that being female, experiencing more child sexual abuse, and ever having traded sex are all positively linked with street sexual victimization. LGB youth are over-represented among homeless youth populations and are also more likely to trade sex; therefore, these young people need services that are widely accessible and specific to their needs.

The economic burden of child sexual abuse in the United States

The present study provides an estimate of the U.S. economic impact of child sexual abuse (CSA). Costs of CSA were measured from the societal perspective and include health care costs, productivity losses, child welfare costs, violence/crime costs, special education costs, and suicide death costs. We separately estimated quality-adjusted life year (QALY) losses. For each category, we used the best available secondary data to develop cost per case estimates. All costs were estimated in U.S. dollars and adjusted to the reference year 2015. Estimating 20 new cases of fatal and 40,387 new substantiated cases of nonfatal CSA that occurred in 2015, the lifetime economic burden of CSA is approximately $9.3 billion, the lifetime cost for victims of fatal CSA per female and male victim is on average $1,128,334 and $1,482,933, respectively, and the average lifetime cost for victims of nonfatal CSA is of $282,734 per female victim. For male victims of nonfatal CSA, there was insufficient information on productivity losses, contributing to a lower average estimated lifetime cost of $74,691 per male victim. If we included QALYs, these costs would increase by approximately $40,000 per victim. With the exception of male productivity losses, all estimates were based on robust, replicable incidence-based costing methods. The availability of accurate, up-to-date estimates should contribute to policy analysis, facilitate comparisons with other public health problems, and support future economic evaluations of CSA-specific policy and practice. In particular, we hope the availability of credible and contemporary estimates will support increased attention to primary prevention of CSA.

Differences in child sexual abuse cases involving child versus adolescent complainants

While adolescents report the highest rates of sexual abuse victimization, few studies have investigated how child sexual abuse (CSA) cases involving adolescent complainants may differ from cases involving child complainants. The current study draws on 3,430 allegations of CSA in Canada to compare abuse characteristics and judicial outcomes in cases involving adolescent complainants to cases involving child complainants. Adolescent complainants were more likely than child complainants to be abused by a stranger or a person with a community connection to the complainant, while children were more likely than adolescents to be abused by a parent or other relative. Furthermore, compared to child complainants, adolescent complainants were more frequently involved in the most intrusive offenses and their cases were more likely to involve violence. Both groups were most likely to disclose the abuse to a parent, though a greater proportion of children disclosed the abuse to a parent. There were no differences in the delay to disclosure. Accused were equally likely to plead “guilty” and to be convicted in cases involving child and adolescent complainants. However, offenders convicted of the most intrusive offenses received longer probation sentences when the complainant was a child than when the complainant was an adolescent. These findings have implications for ensuring appropriate support and services to adolescent victims of CSA.

Willingness to disclose child maltreatment: CSA vs other forms of child abuse in relation to gender

The aim of the study was to examine the role of gender in willingness to disclose childhood sexual abuse (CSA) compared to other forms of abuse (physical, emotional and neglect) in young adolescents. Willingness was examined through two terms: reluctance— the level of unwillingness or disinclination to disclose, and urge—the need to share in order to get rid of unbearable feelings. The sample consisted of 3,156 boys (n = 1,544) and girls (n = 1,612) between the ages of 11–16 who reported having been abused at least once during their life. Participants were divided into three groups: experiencing other than CSA, sexual abuse with no physical contact, and sexual abuse with physical contact. Regarding measures, a self-report questionnaire incorporating the following instruments was administered: Demographics, the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire (JVQ), and the Disclosure of Trauma Questionnaire (DTQ). Study results indicated that CSA victims were more reluctant to disclose than victims of other than CSA forms of abuse. The more severe the CSA (physical contact) the lower was the willingness to disclose. Boys were more reluctant than girls to disclose sexual abuse whether or not it involved physical contact. Reluctance to disclose was positively associated with emotional reactions to disclosure while urge to talk was negatively correlated with emotional reactions to disclosure.

Perlindungan Hukum Terhadap Anak Perempuan Korban Kekerasan Seksual di PPA Polresta Banjarmasin

Violence against girls lately increasingly widespread, whether physical, psychological, and sexual. To provide services and protection against the girl child victims of crime, especially the crime of sexual violence, the police have established Women and Children Unit (Unit PPA). This study aims to identify and analyze the obstacles faced Unit PPA Polresta Banjarmasin in providing legal protection for women victims of child sexual abuse. This research uses empirical legal research with the research conducted analytical descriptive and explanatory. The types of data used in this study included primary data in the form of interviews and the question as written, and secondary data.The results showed that the obstacles faced Unit PPA Polresta Banjarmasin in providing legal protection, among others: victims hesitate to report, the family and the community who do not understand and tend to blame victims for sexual violence, the revocation of a report from the victim, the suspect fled, sexual violence is usually carried out at night in bed days, and the lack of facilities and infrastructure owned Unit PPA Polresta Banjarmasin.

Attachment representations in sexually abused preschoolers: a comparative study

ABSTRACTAttachment theory provides a relevant framework for understanding the psychosocial adjustment of victims of child sexual abuse (CSA). However, most studies have been conducted among adult populations and none have focused on the impact of both preschoolers’ and mothers’ experience of sexual abuse on attachment security. The aim of this study was to compare attachment representations in sexually abused (n = 258) and non-abused preschoolers (n = 133), and to explore the relation between maternal history of CSA and children’s attachment representations. A story completion task assessing attachment representations was administered to children (Bretherton, Ridgeway, & Cassidy, 1990). The results revealed that CSA preschoolers presented significantly higher levels of attachment disorganization compared to non-abused children, and that abused boys were at particular risk for hyperactivation and disorganization. Associations between mothers’ history of CSA and children’s attachment representations were non-significant. These findings support the need to consider victims’ attachment representations in the implementation of efficient treatment programs. Targeting parent–child relationships in interventions could help promote attachment security in a vulnerable population of preschool victims.

Understanding the Needs of Individuals at Risk of Perpetrating Child Sexual Abuse: A Practitioner Perspective

ABSTRACTResearch estimates that as many as 1 in 20 children in the United Kingdom (UK) have been victims of child sexual abuse. The scale of this problem motivates prevention efforts; however, there is an apparent absence of preventative intervention for those individuals who are concerned about their sexual preference for children, including those who have not committed an offense. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse and stigma surrounding pedophilia, individuals who are concerned about their sexual interests in children are unlikely to willingly participate in research. By investigating the experiences of staff that are employed by an organization offering an anonymous helpline for people who experience sexual thoughts and behaviors toward children, this research aims to develop understanding of the needs of those individuals, in order to establish how child sexual abuse might be prevented. Semistructured interviews were conducted with five practitioners from a sexual abuse prevention organization, and thematic analysis revealed three main themes: (a) moving service users forward, (b) barriers to intervention, and (c) prevention: missing pieces. The first theme identifies ways in which practitioners may help service users to identify their problem, associated risk factors, and how they might begin to move forward. The second theme addresses certain factors that prevent service users from accessing or engaging with primary interventions. Finally, the third theme discusses the ways in which primary prevention could be built upon, by considering participants’ experiences that are shaped by their work in the field of primary intervention, and their experience of service users. This is the first time the needs of those who may benefit from primary prevention in the UK have been explored in this way; therefore, each theme is discussed in relation to primary prevention of child sexual abuse.