Significance of Healthy Family Structure in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: A Prospective Controlled Study
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Medicine Science |International Medical Journal
Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of victims, parents,
and accused or suspected child abusers, and to evaluate the conditions that constitute the risk
factors for children falling victim to sexual abuse in Eastern Anatolian Region of Turkey.
Personal data files of 63 victims of child sexual abuse were analyzed and compared with 201
individuals in a control group. The children’s age, gender, educational level, number of siblings,
and the nature of the event they experienced, were all examined. In addition, parents’ educational
and economic levels; and parents’ relationship, were also evaluated. Of the victims 66.7% were
female (n=42), while the average age of the victims was 14.2 years. A total of 52.4% (n=33) of the
victims were exposed to major crime, and 47.6% (n=30) were exposed to simple sexual activity.
Risk factors for children who were exposed to sexual abuse were parental conflict, low
educational level of the father, non-working father, low economic level of the family, and crowded
family. Domestic violence negatively affects family members, especially children, and is a main
risk factor for children becoming victims of abuse.
Description
item.page.type
Article
item.page.format
Keywords
prevention, research, child sexual abuse, family
Citation
Sener, M. T., Anci, Y., & Dursun, O. B. (2013). Significance of Healthy Family Structure in Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: A Prospective Controlled Study. Medicine Science |International Medical Journal Online first: 26 Jul, 2013. doi:10.5455/medscience.2013.02.8103