Retrospective Evaluation in Child and Adolescent Victims of Sexual Abuse: Analysis of Gender and Age Differences

BACKGROUND/AIMS:This study aimed to investigate the socio-demographic characteristics of children and adolescents who were victims of sexual abuse (SA) admitted to the child psychiatry clinic by the judicial authorities, to examine the characteristics of the abuse and the perpetrator, and to compare these characteristics in terms of age and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Our study included 388 cases of SA referred for a forensic report.Data were obtained retrospectively from the forensic files and outpatient clinic registration files of the cases. RESULTS:Of 388 sexually abused cases, 357 (92%) were girls.The mean age of the cases was 13.412.99years, and the mean age of the boys was lower than that of the girls.It was found that the rate of abuse was higher among adolescent girls.It was found that 99.2% of the perpetrators were male.One person was responsible for 93.5% of all instances of abuse.50.4% of the victims experienced abuse more than once, and the victim's statement was responsible for revealed 44.8% of the abuse cases.It was found that in 44.4% of cases, the perpetrator was the victim's boyfriend, 14.9% of cases were married at an early age, 20.6% had a pregnancy after abuse, and 65.4% of cases had no psychiatric diagnosis. CONCLUSION:Our findings showed that the majority of SA victims were girls, the frequency of abuse increased with age, the majority of perpetrators were the victims' boyfriends, and the reporting rate of abuse incidents by victims was low.Starting education about sexual health and SA at a very young age will be beneficial in protecting individuals from becoming victims of abuse, reporting abuse, and seeking help.