NCJ Number
231208
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 55 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2010 Pages: 633-636
Date Published
May 2010
Length
4 pages
Annotation
The purpose of this study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of sexually abused children.
Abstract
The records of 101 cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) were retrospectively evaluated. Socio-demographic characteristics of the victims, type of sexual abuse, and psychiatric diagnosis were studied. Of the victims, 56.4 percent (n = 57) were female and 43.6 percent (n = 44) were male. The mean age was 9.57 +/- 3.5, with a range of 4-17 years. Ninety-three (92.1 percent) of the victims had been admitted as part of the legal process. The majority (66.3 percent) of the victims had been abused by an acquaintance, while 33.7 percent had been abused by a stranger. Anal or vaginal penetration was reported in 48.5 percent of the cases. Posttraumatic stress disorder was the most common (54.5 percent) psychiatric diagnosis established after sexual abuse. Descriptive data related to the abused children and an understanding of the consequences of CSA will help authorities in planning prevention. 6 tables and 26 references (Published Abstract)