Retrospective Analysis of Sexual Abuse Reports Made by the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Objective: Child sexual abuse remains a serious situation in every region of the world. In this study, it was aimed to examine the data of cases with suspected sexual abuse reported from the child and adolescent psychiatry department to the judicial authorities. Methods: 74 children and adolescents who applied to child psychiatry outpatient clinics between September 2013 and September 2023, who were suspected of sexual abuse based on the history taken from themselves and their parents, and who were reported to the judicial authorities, were included in the study. Results: 51 of the cases were girls, and 23 were boys. The age of both sexual abuse and reporting was younger in boys than in girls. Sexual abuse reports were at its lowest level in 2020. Sexual touching was the most frequently reported method, with 42 cases. The most common abuser was male cousin (20.3%). 22.9% of the cases were followed-up in the outpatient clinic before reporting the abuse. 81% of the patients received at least one psychiatric diagnosis after the psychiatric examination. Psychiatric diagnoses as a consequence of child sexual abuse were identified in 27 cases, and the most common diagnosis was major depressive disorder with 33.3%. Conclusions: Reporting child sexual abuse is not only a legal responsibility, but also important to protect the child victim of abuse and prevent the development of psychiatric disorders.