Factores de Riesgo del Abuso Sexual Infantil en Niños Menores de 10 Años en Chetumal, Quintana Roo (2019–2023)

Child sexual abuse represents one of the most serious violations of children’s rights and remains a pervasive issue, particularly in contexts marked by poverty, family dysfunction, and weak institutional protection. This study aims to identify the risk factors associated with sexual abuse in children under the age of 10 in the city of Chetumal, Quintana Roo, during the period from 2019 to 2023. A quantitative, descriptive, and cross-sectional approach was adopted. A structured questionnaire was applied to 15 adult residents of Chetumal, including professionals in criminology, psychology, education, law, and social work, as well as caregivers with knowledge or experience related to the issue. The results indicate that the most frequently perceived risk factors include parental negligence, domestic violence, lack of sexual abuse prevention programs in schools and communities, and unsupervised access to digital technologies. Additionally, participants highlighted that fear and confusion often prevent children from reporting abuse, and that current public policies are insufficient for addressing this issue effectively. This study offers a contextualized understanding of the risk landscape and proposes the need for stronger community networks, preventive education, and child protection measures in Chetumal.