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Lusky-Weisrose E, Klebanov B, Friedman-Hauser G, Avitan I, Katz C. Online sexual abuse of children with disabilities: Analyzing reports of social workers' case files in Israel. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2024; 154:106869. [PMID: 38850752 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 02/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Online child sexual abuse (OCSA) is a growing social concern. However, its manifestations among children with disabilities (CWDs), who face an increased risk of sexual abuse, remain largely unexamined. OBJECTIVE This study aims to fill this gap by examining professionals' perspectives of the OCSA of CWDs through their work at the 105 Hotline, an Israeli national call center that accepts queries and reports of the cyber victimization of minors. METHODS A mixed methods research design was employed. A quantitative analysis was performed on 114 case files involving the OCSA of CWDs, followed by a thematic content analysis of 23 follow-up files by social workers. RESULTS The quantitative findings revealed various characteristics of the survivors, their families, and OCSA. The qualitative analysis revealed that professionals indicate multiple interrelated risk factors for the OCSA of CWDs on three levels: child, related to the child's characteristics and disability traits; family, referring to familial complexities, parenting challenges, and socio-economic position; and relational, referring to the online abusive relationships between the perpetrator and the survivor. Furthermore, the online platform comprised characteristics that enhanced the risk of OCSA of CWDs. CONCLUSIONS The understanding that the OCSA of CWDs as a compounded risk that encompasses personal and environmental risk dimensions is necessary and should guide all professionals' decisions and actions. There is also an urgent need for governmental and community efforts to develop measures, policies, and support systems to reduce OCSA risks for CWDs. Moreover, knowledge and interventions should be developed for professionals and parents of CWDs to improve the identification and response to this overlooked phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Lusky-Weisrose
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Paul Baerwald School of Social Work and Social Welfare, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.
| | - Bella Klebanov
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Ilan Avitan
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Carmit Katz
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Gümüş F, Duman M, Dolu R. Child sexual abuse knowledge and attitudes of Syrian refugee parents and related factors. J Pediatr Nurs 2024; 77:e298-e304. [PMID: 38729896 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2024.04.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Child sexual abuse is an important health problem that disrupts the physical and mental health of children. In order to protect children from abuse, the knowledge and attitude levels of their families need to be increased. PURPOSE This study was to determine the knowledge and attitude levels of Syrian refugee parents regarding child sexual abuse who lived in Turkey. DESIGN AND METHODS The study was carried out using a cross-sectional, descriptive, relationship-seeking design. A personal information form and the Child Sexual Abuse Knowledge/Attitude Scale for Parents (CSAKAS) were used. RESULTS In the study, the mean age of the participants was 33.0 ± 8.2; 74.7% were women; 93.7%. It was also found that the mean scores of the participants regarding such sub-dimensions of CSAKAS as myths/facts, belief, information, attitudes, services and reporting information and preventive attitudes differed statistically significantly with respect to their education level, income level, family type, employment status and having a disabled child (p < 0,05). CONCLUSION Based on the results, it could be stated that the parents who were university graduates, who had good levels of perceived income, who had a nuclear family, who were employed and who had disabled children had better levels of knowledge and attitude regarding child sexual abuse, and it could also be stated that the participants had moderate levels of knowledge and attitudes regarding child sexual abuse. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS This study shows that pediatric nurses can play an important role in protecting, developing and improving the physical and mental health of children by increasing the knowledge and attitude levels of families in order to prevent child sexual abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Funda Gümüş
- Dicle University, Faculty of Atatürk Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Diyarbakir, Turkey.
| | - Mesude Duman
- Dicle University, Faculty of Atatürk Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Roza Dolu
- Women's Health and Diseases Nursing, Faculty of Atatürk Health Sciences, Dicle University, Diyarbakir, Türkiye
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Klebanov B, Friedman-Hauser G, Lusky-Weisrose E, Katz C. Sexual Abuse of Children With Disabilities: Key Lessons and Future Directions Based on a Scoping Review. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2024; 25:1296-1314. [PMID: 37306024 DOI: 10.1177/15248380231179122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent years there has been a growing public and professional interest in situations of risk, abuse, and exploitation of children with disabilities (CWDs). Despite the increasing awareness of CWDs experiencing child sexual abuse (CSA) at high rates, research in this area is still in its infancy. The current study seeks to identify, map, and thoroughly analyze the existing knowledge to better inform future research, policy, and practice. A scoping review was conducted using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, identifying 35 articles addressing CSA among CWDs based on self-report surveys, official report data, and qualitative interviews. The findings addressed the phenomenon's epidemiology, disclosure, identification patterns, and consequences. Studies showed that CWDs experience CSA two to four times more often than children without disabilities and that they suffer longer and harsher abuse due to factors that complicate the identification of CSA of CWDs. This review highlights the diverse methodologies, producing a high variance in phenomenon rates, as well as unique methodological strategies for addressing challenges in CSA and disability research. Future research should focus on qualitative-retrospective studies of the perceptions of survivors and significant others in their lives (e.g., parents). Moreover, an intersectionality paradigm must be adopted in future studies to address the diverse contexts that construct the phenomenon (including sociocultural contexts). There is also a need to develop integrative interventions to allow higher accessibility of services, adaptive identification mechanisms, and more effective collaboration between professionals and CWDs.
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Luan H, Wan G, Sun X, Niu J. A Scoping Review of Programs to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse in Mainland China. TRAUMA, VIOLENCE & ABUSE 2023; 24:3647-3661. [PMID: 36453168 DOI: 10.1177/15248380221137043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a worldwide public health concern. With the widespread dissemination of prevention approaches to end CSA, numerous CSA prevention programs exist in developed countries, but there is little evidence on how these programs are performing in Mainland China. The aim of this study was to review the existing research focusing on CSA prevention programs in Mainland China. Studies of CSA prevention programs were identified by conducting a comprehensive search of major academic databases for Chinese and English research. Articles were retained if they were original empirical studies that conducted programs to prevent CSA in Mainland China and measured related outcomes. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. A child-targeted, universally focused, and school-based educational program was the most common (n = 7), followed by specifically focused programs that covered migrant and left-behind children using group-based intervention strategies (n = 2) and ordinary parents with self-learning strategies (n = 2); one study delivered agency-based face-to-face education to parents with disabled children. However, the shortcomings in research design limited its replication to the broader population. CSA prevention program research in Mainland China is in an early stage due to the limited target populations, lack of large-scale government-led initiatives, and low involvement of multicomponent collaboration. We provide suggestions for conducting future research involving more inclusive programs for other populations, comprehensive programs with multiple targets and stakeholders, large-scale evidence-based research, culturally tailored and contextual adaptation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Luan
- Tianjin University of Technology, China
| | - Guowei Wan
- East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Apaydin Cirik V, Aksoy B, Bulut E. Investigation of fathers' metaphors regarding child sexual abuse in Turkey: A metaphor study. J Pediatr Nurs 2023; 72:e210-e216. [PMID: 37385940 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This study was designed to determine the perceptions of fathers about child sexual abuse in Turkey using metaphors to facilitate understanding of child sexual abuse. METHODS The study was conducted as a qualitative study based on metaphor analysis. The data were collected from 164 Turkish fathers in Turkey between August 2022 and September 2022 using a descriptive information form for fathers and a semi-structured interview form exploring fathers' perceptions of child sexual abuse. The semi-structured interview form included metaphor statements like "Child sexual abuse is like....... because .......", and "Child sexual abuse reminds me of the color....... because .......". The data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. The study was reported based on Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). RESULTS According to the results, 77.4% of the fathers had knowledge about protecting their children from sexual abuse, 40.9% got this information from the internet, and only 11.1% educated their children about sexual abuse. Seventy three percent of the fathers were afraid of confusing their children while educating them. The fathers involved in the study used 20 metaphors related to "child sexual abuse" and "the color evoked by child sexual abuse". The metaphors created by the fathers were analyzed under six categories: "emotions, feeling inadequate, punishment method, abuser, child concept, and uncertainty". CONCLUSION Based on the results of the study, fathers had common feelings and emphasize the same concepts about child sexual abuse. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Metaphors provide a unique approach to identifying fathers' conceptual images of child sexual abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vildan Apaydin Cirik
- Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Child Health and Disease Nursing, Karaman, Turkey.
| | - Bahar Aksoy
- Akdeniz University, Kumluca Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Health and Disease Nursing Department, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Elif Bulut
- Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Child Health and Disease Nursing Department, Trabzon, Turkey
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Rudolph JI, Zimmer-Gembeck MJ, Straker D, Hambour V, Hawes T, Swan K. Parental-Led Sexual Abuse Education Amongst At-Risk Parents: Associations with Parenting Practices, and Parent and Child Symptomology. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2023:1-21. [PMID: 37290017 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2023.2222116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Considering the emphasis on parent-led sexual abuse education (PLSAE) in child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention, and the imperative of prevention in families living with demonstrated risk factors, it is important to understand the extent to which this group delivers PLSAE to their children, whether this is associated with any barriers or facilitators, whether parents are engaging in other protective behaviors (such as monitoring and involvement) and the relationship between these variables and other risk factors such as parent and child symptomology. We surveyed 117 parents, with children ranging in age from 25-89 months (67% boys), attending a parenting program for assistance with a range of parenting difficulties and child behavior problems from 2020-22. A large majority of parents reported not giving their children comprehensive prevention messages, discussing body integrity and abduction dangers to a greater extent. PLSAE was significantly positively associated with child internalizing and externalizing symptoms; parent and child age; and discussion of body integrity and abduction. However, PLSAE was not associated with any other measured variables (protective parenting; CSA knowledge; parenting self-efficacy; general and own-child risk appraisal; parent burnout, stress, depression or anxiety; child diagnosis; parental education level; employment or marital status; or income). The current findings suggest that investing resources into increasing parental knowledge, risk perception and confidence may be misguided. Future endeavors should consider helping parents be protective in other ways, for example, through the creation of safe environments and reducing the risks of CSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia I Rudolph
- Institute for Lifecourse Development, University of Greenwich, London, UK
| | - Melanie J Zimmer-Gembeck
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Drew Straker
- School of Psychology, University of New England, Armidale, Australia
| | - Victoria Hambour
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Tanya Hawes
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
| | - Kellie Swan
- School of Applied Psychology, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia
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Rudolph JI, Walsh K, Shanley DC, Zimmer-Gembeck MJ. Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: Parental Discussion, Protective Practices and Attitudes. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2022; 37:NP22375-NP22400. [PMID: 35098765 DOI: 10.1177/08862605211072258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Understanding parental practices and attitudes regarding child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention could be used to improve CSA prevention, but little information is available. In this study, we summarise survey data collected from 248 Australian and UK parents (87% female) with at least one child aged 6-11 years (M = 8.6, SD = 1.8). This is the first study to quantify parental use of protective practices, other than prevention education, which may guard against CSA. Parental media mediation, which may safeguard against online dangers, was another unique focus of this study. Participants reported their discussion of sensitive topics with their children including CSA; behaviors that may reduce the incidence of CSA (e.g., monitoring, supervision, delegation of care and checking-in with the child); mediation of their child's media use; and attitudes towards CSA prevention education. Parents reported discussing sexual abuse less than other sensitive topics such as abduction dangers, drugs, and death but more than issues surrounding puberty, sex and pornography. Parents reported using high levels of protective behaviours, however some areas of concern were revealed. Of concern was the low-moderate level of parental media mediation, with substantial numbers of children potentially exposed to online risks such as using devices unsupervised in bedrooms or chatting to individuals unknown to their parents and not having their devices checked for concerning content. Almost all parents were supportive of CSA prevention education and felt they should provide this education. However, two-thirds of parents thought CSA education may be associated with harms for the child and two-thirds of parents believed children could prevent their own abuse. Reported results will aid in our understanding of which areas of parenting could be strengthened to create safer environments for children. This research has particularly highlighted the need for parents to be more protective around their children's access to online devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia I Rudolph
- 170471Griffith University, School of Applied Psychology, Southport, QLD, Australia
| | - Kerryann Walsh
- Faculty of Education, 1969QLD University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Dianne C Shanley
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, 97562Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
| | - Melanie J Zimmer-Gembeck
- School of Applied Psychology and Menzies Health Institute of Queensland, 97562Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia
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Wu Y, Chen J, Guo S. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice of Child Sexual Abuse Prevention among Primary School Teachers: A Study in a City of Guangdong Province of China. JOURNAL OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE 2021; 30:994-1005. [PMID: 34635028 DOI: 10.1080/10538712.2021.1985675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to understand the status of knowledge, attitudes, and educational practice of child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention among primary school teachers in a city of Guangdong province of China in order to provide baseline information for CSA prevention training for teachers. Teachers from 8 schools in a city of Guangdong province were surveyed, in May 2019, via an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. On the whole, primary school teachers had positive attitudes toward CSA prevention, but their knowledge and educational practice for CSA prevention were somewhat limited. Results of multiple logistic regression showed that older teachers (40 years or older) (OR = 1.692. 95%CI 1.135, 2.521), classroom teachers (OR = 1.877. 95%CI 1.269, 2.776), and teachers who had participated in training (OR = 4.293. 95%CI 2.907, 6.339) had more educational practice. The findings in this study could provide useful information for developing further CSA prevention education in primary schools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuejiao Wu
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Jingqi Chen
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, P.R. China
| | - Suying Guo
- Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, P.R. China
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Çömez İkican T, Küçük L. Child sexual abuse knowledge/attitude scale for parents: Reliability and validity of the Turkish version. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2021; 57:791-799. [PMID: 32926430 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 08/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to determine the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the child sexual abuse knowledge/attitude scale for parents (CSAKAS). DESIGN AND METHODS This methodological study was carried out with 193 parents in between February and May 2018. FINDINGS The validity and reliability of the six-factors structure scale were confirmed. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the whole scale is 0.793, the item-total score correlations ranged between 0.341 and 0.719 and the test-retest coefficient was 0.841. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS The CSAKAS Turkish scale was found to be a valid and reliable tool that can be used to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of parents about child sexual abuse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuba Çömez İkican
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Institute of Graduate Education, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Leyla Küçük
- Department of Mental Health and Psychiatric Nursing, Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Istanbul, Turkey
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