Child Victims Research Articles

Validation of the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in Portugal.

The accurate assessment of pedophilic sexual interests is crucial for the treatment and management of individuals who have sexually offended children. This study aimed to validate the Revised Screening Scale for Pedophilic Interests (SSPI-2) in a Portuguese sample of 170 men convicted of sexual offenses against children, 104 serving sentences in the community, and 66 in prison. The findings indicated that SSPI-2 demonstrated good convergent validity, as evidenced by its significant and positive associations with the "sexual deviance" item of SVR-20, the number of previous convictions for sexual crimes against children, and having 3 or more child victims, which is associated with high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing men who show greater sexual arousal to children than to adults. Furthermore, the SSPI-2 exhibited good divergent validity, with no significant correlations observed with a self-report measure of psychopathy or with a nonsexual criminal history.

Analisis Yuridis Terhadap Penegakan Hukum dalam Kasus Pemerkosaan Anak dibawah Umur

Rape is an act committed by a man to force a woman to have sexual intercourse outside of marriage. Rape is one of the most traumatic things for women, especially children who are victims of rape. Rape of minors is a very serious and detrimental form of crime, which has lasting psychological, physical and social impacts on the victim and society in general. In many countries, the rape of minors is often an undeniable problem in the realm of law and humanity. In the Indonesian context, cases of rape of minors are also an urgent issue that must be handled firmly by the legal system. However, law enforcement in cases like this often faces various obstacles, ranging from a lack of reports submitted by victims, to weaknesses in the investigation, prosecution and trial processes. This research aims to conduct a juridical analysis of law enforcement in cases of rape of minors in Indonesia. By taking a juridical approach, this research will explore legal aspects related to handling cases of rape of minors, including criminal provisions, court procedures, and legal protection for child victims.

Typologies of sexually motivated abductions: a latent class analysis

ABSTRACT To date, sexually motivated abductions have not received as much attention from researchers in comparison to the acts of abduction and sexual assault alone. Further, the majority of research that is conducted on abductions focuses solely on child victims, creating a gap in the literature. The current study was set forth to identify qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions. Using victim, crime, and offender characteristics taken from sexual abduction cases (n = 1288), a latent class analysis was conducted. Results from the latent class analysis revealed that four subgroups of sexually motivated abductors exist: Convenience Opportunist, Strategic Opportunist, Child Opportunist, and Familiar Opportunist. In addition, bivariate analyses were run to test the latent class solution with different characteristics; results suggest that these subgroups of sexually motivated offenders may not be dependent on some victim lifestyle characteristics. These results provide evidence that there are qualitatively different subgroups of offenders who commit sexually motivated abductions, which may be useful for law enforcement when conducting investigations.

Associations Between PTSD and Depressive Symptoms and Victimization Among Female College Students: A Latent Class Analysis.

Research on subgroups of female college students who share similar experiences of childhood maltreatment (CM) and intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization is sparse. The primary aims of the current study are: (a) to identify subgroups of victims related to experience of psychological, physical, and sexual CM and IPV and (b) to test the association between subgroups and depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity. Survey data was collected from 327 female students at a public university in the Northeast. Three distinct subgroups, that is, victimization classes, were found using Latent Class Analysis: A lifetime victimization class, comprised of females reporting high rates of CM and IPV across types (19.0% of the sample), a childhood victimization class (26.9%); and a low victimization class (54.1%). Depressive symptom severity was positively associated with lifetime and childhood, relative to low, victimization class membership. PTSD symptom severity was associated with the childhood victimization class relative to both lifetime and low victimization class. Subgroups of institutions of higher education (IHE) females who share CM and IPV victimization experiences are discernable. The co-occurrence of IPV and CM in female college students is not uncommon. PTSD symptom severity may be more related to CM than IPV in IHE female students.

Overdose Experiences Among a Sample of Women in Jail with Opioid Use Disorder

Background: Previous non-fatal overdose may increase risk of overdose fatality for women reentering the community following incarceration, but pre-incarceration overdose experiences are understudied. This study describes the prevalence and correlates of non-fatal overdose prior to jail among women with opioid use disorder (OUD). Methods: Women (N = 700) were randomly selected from eight Kentucky jails, screened for OUD, and interviewed as part of the NIDA-funded Kentucky Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network (JCOIN) trial. Descriptive statistics were used to examine women’s prior overdose experiences, while bivariate analyses and logistic regression were used to identify correlates of overdose in the 90 days prior to jail. Results: Analyses found that 55.4% of women had overdosed in their lifetime, and 21.4% overdosed in the 90 days prior to jail. Of those who overdosed in the 90 days prior to jail, heroin (80.7%) was the most-commonly used drug prior to overdose, 35.2% received emergency, medically-attended services post-overdose, and 92.4% were administered naloxone – primarily by acquaintances. Overdosing in the 90 days prior to jail was positively correlated with identifying as a sexual minority, being from an urban community, childhood victimization, as well as recent heroin, fentanyl, and injection drug use. Conclusions: Findings indicate that prior overdose is common among jailed women with OUD, and although naloxone was often administered, few women received medically-attended services post-overdose. Results highlight the importance of distributing naloxone to community members and women reentering the community from jail, and suggest additional research is needed to understand factors inhibiting medical care following an overdose.

Violence against older people and associations with mental health: A national probability sample survey of the general population in England

BackgroundOfficial estimates of violence prevalence in England exclude older people. There are few studies of elder abuse and these excluded violence from acquaintances and strangers and lack comparability with younger adults. ObjectivesTo estimate prevalence of past-year violence victimisation in older people, identify factors associated with violence in older age, quantify the extent to which experience of violence in older people was associated with common mental disorder (CMD). Study design/methodsAnalysis of a 2014 general population probability sample survey of 2570 adults aged 60+ and 4484 16–59 year olds. Modified version of the Conflict Tactics Scale measured domestic violence and List of Threatening Experiences captured bullying and serious assault. CMD were assessed using the revised Clinical Interview Schedule. Associations were examined using regression models adjusted for childhood victimisation and other adversities. Results2.0 % (n = 52,CI:1.4–2.6) of older people experienced violence in the past year, with intimate partner violence the most prevalent form. Older people of non-white ethnicity, those who were socially isolated or lonely, and the formerly married were more likely to experience violence. Violence was associated with CMD in older people (adjusted odds ratio 2.2, CI:1.0–4.8), controlling for impairments, adversities and other factors. ConclusionViolence, especially from an intimate partner, is evident in later life and strongly associated with poor mental health. Better instruments for the identification of violence and abuse in older people in research and safe enquiry in practice settings are needed, with recognition of and attention to ethnic and other inequalities among older people in exposure.

Unwanted Pursuit Behavior Victimization as a Predictor of Engagement in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury.

While prior research has studied associations between child abuse and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI), there is limited research assessing unwanted pursuit behavior (UPB) victimization and NSSI. In addition, few studies have assessed the self-reported functions of NSSI among survivors of violence. Among a sample of 18-25-year-old young adults (N = 333), both UPB victimization and child abuse were significantly associated with NSSI frequency. In regression models, UPB victimization was associated with increased use of affect regulation, antidissociation/feeling-generation, self-punishment, and antisuicide functions, while child abuse was associated only with antidissociation/feeling-generation and self-punishment. Affect regulation mediated the association between UPB victimization and NSSI frequency, but not the association between child victimization and NSSI frequency. Implications for research and clinical practice will be discussed.

Justice for All: Tailoring Laws for Disabled Youth in Legal Battles

Disabled children are considered as the most vulnerable individuals. Because of their physical and/or mental disability they are also considered as the most vulnerable victims. Such children may also face challenges as “children in conflict with law”. Disabled children may be used for several criminal offences While such children may be used for theft etc, voices of such children may also be used without their knowledge or consent for committing several kinds of cybercrimes. Such children may also be engaged in sexual offences. Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2013 mentions about engagement of special educator /translator for assisting disabled child victims. Even though The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of children) Amendment Act, 2021 also mentions about engaging such translator etc for helping disabled children, the Act however does not provide much information about the tools and the process of assisting disabled children in conflict with law with the translators and special educators. It is hence to argue that the rights of the disabled children in conflict with law may not be properly acknowledged and executed due to absence of legal guidance regarding usage of specific forensic tools, legal lacunae concerning the assistance of the special interpreters/translators, proper interpretation of their behavior/ communication of such children and their guardians /care givers. As children in conflict with law they may need to arrange for their defense lawyers and interpreters. But in majority of cases such children may not access free legal aid and proper interpreters due to their socio-economic conditions and due to lack of awareness of their parents or caregivers. This paper suggests that better forensic tools for assisting such children, assessing their behavior, their testimony and evidences in trials are needed on the basis of the types of disability. This paper also suggests that the qualification of the interpreters and translators may be revised considering the need of contemporary digital era and misuse of disabled children for commission of crimes.

Does Childcare Attendance Moderate the Associations Between Mother-Child Depressive Symptoms and Children’s Peer Victimization Experiences?

Peer victimization experiences is suggested to play a mediating role in the transmission of depression symptoms between mothers and children. Childcare attendance has been found to reduce the association between mother and child depressive symptoms. However, it is not clear whether this protective effect unfolds via a reduction of peer victimization experiences in middle childhood. The aims of this study were to test (1) whether peer victimization in middle childhood mediated the association between exposure to maternal depressive symptomatology in early childhood and child depressive symptoms in late childhood, (2) whether childcare attendance moderate the direct associations between maternal depressive symptoms and children’s peer victimization experiences in middle childhood as well as depressive symptoms in late childhood and (3) whether childcare attendance moderates this mediated association. Data come from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Children and Parents (N = 5526) where exposure to maternal depressive symptoms and intensity of childcare attendance were assessed repeatedly during early childhood. Children’s peer victimization and depressive symptoms were self-reported at eight and 10 years of age, respectively. We used weighted structural equation modeling and found that the association between mothers and children’s depression was partially mediated by peer victimization. Childcare attendance did not moderate the indirect effect of maternal depression on child depressive symptoms via peer victimization. However, we found that for children who attended childcare, maternal depression was no longer associated child depressive symptoms in late childhood. In conclusion, peer victimization experiences partly explain the intergenerational transmission of depressive symptoms, but this mechanism is not altered by children’s childcare attendance. Future research should examine potential socio-emotional and school readiness mechanisms that may break the cycle of depressive symptomatology from mothers to children.

Pengaruh Seks Edukasi terhadap Kekerasan Seksual pada Anak Usia Dini: Literature Review

Sexual violence is a serious threat that often makes children victims, especially young children. Children are included in a vulnerable group, so children must receive special protection for their physical and mental needs. One of them is protection from the threat of sexual violence. Based on the data obtained, the number of incidents of sexual violence against children in Indonesia continues to increase, even though various efforts have been made by the government. One effort that can be made by parents and educators is by providing sex education. The aim of the research is to analyze and examine journals related to the influence of sex education on sexual violence in early childhood. This research is a quantitative research with a literature review method using the Google Scholar and PubMed databases, study year 2018-2022 using JBI critical appraisal with a Quasi- experimental study based on PRISMA and the number of articles accepted was (n=8). The results of the research show that various sexual education methods such as modified engklek games, picture stories, audio visuals, picture books, songs, snakes and ladders media, busy books, and role play methods can influence and increase children's knowledge of preventing sexual violence.

Legal Children Protection as Victim of Psychological Violence in Surakarta

This study aims to reveal how Surakarta government faces legal protection. Also, constraints in providing fulfillment of the rights of child victims of psychological violence committed in the family environment. This study uses an empirical juridical method interview and examine the legal provisions that apply in society. It focuses on violence against children committed by their parents, which has an impact on the child's psychology with valid data sourced from the authorities. Although violence against children is a violation of human rights, without realizing it, there are still many people who are willing to commit acts of psychological violence against children. It is because the child is unlikely to rebel when they receive improper treatment from adults, including within the scope of their own family, even though this treatment will have an impact on the child's psychology in the future. The results revealed that illustrate the psychological violence is only considered an internal family problem, and not many people realize it as an act of violence. Surakarta government has actually made efforts to prevent and reduce the number of violence against children, such as by providing an understanding of the importance of giving good parenting, being more able to control emotions, and being sensitive to the conditions and needs of children. This study concludes that the Surakarta government, through DP3AP2KB, has made various efforts to deal with cases of violence that can have an impact on children's psychology. However, these efforts are not fully supported by the public due to the lack of understanding and awareness of the dangers of violence against children, so the number of child abuse in Surakarta has not been a significant change.

Paternal Filicide in Sweden: Background, Risk Factors and the Cinderella Effect.

An overrepresentation of stepchildren as victims of filicide has been explained as a consequence of 'discriminative parental solicitude'. The idea being that Darwinian selection has favoured parental love and concern only for biological children, and when such parental feelings are absent, as in stepparents, conflicts with a child could easier escalate to lethal violence. An alternative explanation for this overrepresentation of stepchildren is that risk factors for filicide, such as criminal behaviour and mental health problems, are more prevalent in stepparents. This study focused on paternal filicide in Sweden and investigated (i) if stepchildren are overrepresented as victims of filicide compared with biological children, (ii) if filicides are committed in a context that implies a 'conflict with the child victim' and (iii) if stepfathers and biological fathers differ in characteristics associated with filicide risk. The analyses showed that stepchildren were overrepresented as victims compared with children of fathers in families with two biological parents and this overrepresentation was even higher in young children. Children of single biological fathers and children of non-residential biological fathers were also overrepresented as victims of filicide. Less than 20 percent of the filicides were committed in the context of a 'conflict with the child' and in these cases only stepchildren were overrepresented as victims. In the population at large, both stepfathers and single biological fathers had higher rates of mental health problems, violent criminality and illegal possession of drugs compared with fathers in families with two biological parents.

Understanding Childhood Victimization Experiences and Mental Health Outcomes in a Sample of Prison Inmates in Northern Chile

In this paper, the weak points have been investigated, the proposal to solve them, the application of the solution and the comparison of the results in the mode of simulation and experimental testing have been discussed. For this purpose, a four-wheel mobile robot has been considered for simulation and implementation, and a linear quadratic regulator controller and a nonlinear model predictive controller have been used to control it. But the combination of these classic and modern controllers with machine learning can greatly help to make these controllers work more accurately; As a result, in order to increase the accuracy of the performance of these controllers, by training neural networks of multilayer perceptrons, the controllers have been made intelligent. Controllers with cost function have coefficients as weighting to the matrix of system state variables and control input, which are greatly affected by changing these two weighting matrices of problem solving and optimization. For this reason, it is necessary to extract these two matrices for each separate path in order to improve the performance of the controller by trial and error. But by applying the proposed network which is trained with a new algorithm, not only the performance accuracy has increased, but the network extracts these two matrices without the need to spend human energy. Also, in order to reduce the existing time delays, especially in the implementation of the nonlinear controller on the robot in the experimental mode, by training other neural networks to optimally extract the benefit of the forecast horizon, reducing the calculations and increasing the speed of the solution has been achieved. In the hardware part, by examining and using operators such as the pixy camera and the U2D2 interface, which are faster than the usual method, the solution time has been reduced.

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

Legal Protection of Child Victims of Prostitution and its Contribution to the Development of Child Protection Law in Indonesia

This article analyzes the implementation of legal protection for child victims of prostitution in Lampung Province and its contribution to the development of child protection law in Indonesia. The research aims to evaluate the alignment between child protection practices and the provisions of Islamic law and positive law, and to identify regulatory needs that support comprehensive protection for child victims of sexual violence. The theory used is the theory of mashlahah mursalah, which emphasizes general welfare. This study employs field research with a qualitative approach and inductive reasoning. Data were collected through interviews and documentation from the Women and Children's Protection Agency of Lampung Province. The findings indicate that the implementation of legal protection for child victims of sexual violence falls short of the expectations set by the constitution and legislation. There is a need for more stringent policies to ensure that victims receive legal protection and free access to necessary facilities. The conclusion of this research is that efforts to protect child victims of sexual violence require regulatory improvements to align with the mandate of the 1945 Constitution. The contribution of this study lies in the development of policy recommendations that can enhance legal protection for children in Indonesia and provide insights into the importance of synergy between Islamic law and positive law in protecting children's rights.

Examining Child Victims of Incest in Indonesia: Between the Legal System and Family Dysfunction

This study aimed at examining the factors causing incest sexual abuse against children in the context of family dysfunction and the legal system. A qualitative approach was used in conducting this research with a case study method of five families who experienced incest violence. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and the analysis of relevant documents. The research findings showed that family dysfunction, such as divorce and poverty, as well as a lack of understanding and application of moral and religious values, were the main factors causing incest. In addition, the implementation of the law, which was not yet effective, and the absence of comprehensive prevention efforts had worsened the situation. This study emphasizes the need for enforcement of the legal system, family understanding, and community culture to be better at preventing, helping, and ensuring legal certainty to protect the psychology and future of children from incest sexual violence.

Trafficking in Persons in Situations of Conflict Accountability, Prevention and Protection Gaps

Accountability for trafficking in persons remains limited. The consequences of such continued impunity include limited access to justice and effective remedies for trafficked persons and continuing failures of prevention and protection. UN Security Council Resolution 2331 (2016) recognises that 'trafficking in persons entails the violation or abuse of human rights, and underscoring that certain acts or offences associated with trafficking in persons in the context of armed conflict may constitute war crimes'. Further, it recognises that '[...] trafficking in persons in areas affected by armed conflict and post-conflict situations can be for the purpose of various forms of exploitation'. Despite this recognition, limited progress has been made in promoting accountability and access to justice for victims of trafficking in situations of conflict. This article deals with trafficking in persons in conflict and the failures of protection and accountability; the application of international criminal law to trafficking in persons; child trafficking and the continuing invisibility of child victims; the principle of non-punishment of victims of trafficking; and the gender dimension of trafficking: moving beyond stereotypes.

Hambatan Pemberian Restitusi Bagi Anak Korban Pencabulan Dalam Putusan Nomor 133/Pid.Sus/2023/PN. Skt

With the times, the modus operandi of crime has also evolved. It’s characterized by crime victims who are currently not only limited to adults, but children are also often victims. One of the crimes that often befall children is sexual abuse. Indonesia as a state of law has attempted to protect children from crime, for example by establishing laws and regulations. One form of protection is by providing rights for child victims of criminal acts, one of which is the right to restitution. However, in practice, the provision of restitution hasn’t t been optimally implemented. The purpose of this research is to find out the causes of the provision of restitution that hasn’t been optimally implemented, especially in the case of Decision Number 133/Pid.Sus/2023/PN. This research uses empirical legal research methods with interview data collection techniques. Based on the results of the research, there are two factors that become obstacles in providing restitution for child victims. First, internal factors in the form of the absence of coercive rules if the perpetrator doesn’t pay restitution, administrative requirements for submitting restitution requests that burden the victim, and there are no rules that guarantee restitution is immediately paid by the perpetrator. Second, external factors in the form of the victim's lack of legal awareness and still focusing on punishing the perpetrator.

Sexual Exploitation in Marriage Tourism: Justice and Legal Protection for Victims in Cianjur and Jember

This article aims to provide recommendations for establishing regional regulations related to tourist marriage, the imposition of strict sanctions, and efforts to protect victims. The urgency of this research is because, in several tourist areas, there has been a practice of contract marriage involving women and children with tourists for years. This research uses descriptive-qualitative data analysis with a case study approach. In contrast, data collection techniques are done through interviews and a literature review of online source data. Based on the results of the research, it was found that contract marriage cases in the Puncak Bogor area and the Jember area are one type of sexual trafficking with child victims involving marriage brokers, parents, and tourists. This marriage is motivated by economic factors to save themselves and their families from poverty. Victims are primarily virgin girls aged 14-18 years who are married off on a transactional basis in exchange for half of the promised dowry. In practice, marriages are conducted are not registered. The local government in Jember has passed a local regulation on protecting women and children, while in Cianjur a district head regulation on the prohibition of contract marriages was passed. Socialization from the Religious Affairs Office and local government is still done in tourist areas. However, some contract marriage practices can still be found because women do not feel they are victims of sexual trafficking. This research provides a basis for local government policy towards handling and minimizing the practice of contract marriage.

Tinjauan Yuridis Terhadap Putusan Bebas Pelaku Pemerkosaan Anak di Lubuk Basung

J.E. Sahetapy argued that crime is a product of culture, evolving to become more modern and complex. Children, as future leaders, require guaranteed rights and protection as regulated in Indonesia's laws, including the Criminal Code and the Child Protection Law. However, violations like sexual violence by those closest to them, such as parents, persist. This research examines cases of sexual violence against children by biological parents, focusing on Supreme Court decisions. Using normative juridical methods and a statutory approach, the study analyzes the legal aspects of these cases. Findings reveal that despite evidence, defendants were acquitted due to the judge's doubts about witness statements and existing evidence, applying the in dubio pro reo principle. This decision has sparked debate for potentially setting a harmful precedent and hindering child protection enforcement. The study underscores the need for more responsive and appropriate legal implementation to achieve justice and optimal protection for child victims of sexual violence.