Comparing intra and extra-familial child sexual abuse in a forensic context
Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Psicothema
Abstract
Child sexual abuse continues to be a problem aggravated
by diffi culty of detection. The aim of this study was to compare intrafamilial (IF) and extra-familial (EF) child sexual abuse cases in search of
differential variables that may allow for better intervention and prevention.
Method: A sample of 221 forensic/legal cases (44.8% IF and 55.2% EF)
dealing with children between 3 and 18 years of age (75% female) was
analysed. Results: IF sexual abuse was signifi cantly more likely to occur
more than once (p = .000; OR = 6.353), with greater delay in its revelation
(>1 year OR = 8.132), and with younger victims (9.05 vs. 11.45; p = .000).
Intellectual disability was more prevalent among EF victims (p = .017; OR
= 3.053). There was a higher proportion of reconstructed families, more
legal records, and more histories of domestic violence among IF sexual
abuse families. Even among EF cases, 78% of abusers were known to the
victims, and in around 80% of all cases the abuse was reported by a family
member. Conclusion: Results point to the need for further development
of detection programs in schools, police or health contexts since reporting
by professionals is scarce.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, intrafamilial abuse, extrafamilial abuse, legal context, risk factors, International Resources, Canada
Citation
Loinaz, I., Bigas, N., & de Sousa, A. M. (2019). Comparing intra and extra-familial child sexual abuse in a forensic context. Psicothema, 31(3), 271-276.