NCJ Number
167711
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 21 Issue: 5 Dated: (May 1997) Pages: 489-498
Date Published
1997
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This survey investigated the prevalence of child sexual abuse of boys and girls younger than 17 years old in Queensland, Australia.
Abstract
The survey was conducted in undergraduate Sociology and Psychology classes in the University of Queensland, which historically has a student population drawn from a relatively wide cross-section of Queensland families. A total of 427 students, 140 males and 287 females ranging from 17 to 52 years of age, completed the questionnaire. Data included: number of respondents sexually abused as children; age at first sexual abuse; types of sexual experience; frequency of unwanted sexual experiences; and relationship between the age of victim and sexual experience types. Analysis addressed those who classified themselves as sexually abused. Findings strongly suggested that child sexual abuse is a frequent occurrence in Queensland. It is imperative that the magnitude of the problem be addressed by more effective preventive strategies, including education about sexuality, human relationships, sexual abuse and protective behavior strategies, and an appropriate sexual vocabulary, all in elementary school rather than later in high school. In addition, parenting classes for both men and women would help break the sexual abuse cycle. Tables, references