Gender Differences In Extrafamilial Sexual Abuse Experiences Among Young Teens

An examination of the sociodemographic and psychiatric characteristics of children who have suffered penetrative and non-penetrative sexual abuse in Malatya, Eastern Turkey

Penetrative and nonpenetrative sexual abuse can cause short- and long-term psychiatric problems in victims. This study aimed to examine the sociodemographic characteristics and psychiatric diseases of children in Malatya, eastern Turkey, according to whether the abuse was penetrative or nonpenetrative. A retrospective examination was conducted on the records of 115 cases of sexual abuse that had been referred to judicial authorities from January 1, 2012-July 30, 2019. The subjects were evaluated by a committee formed of 5-7 separate specialized department faculty members. It was determined that 51.3% (n = 59) of the cases had suffered nonpenetrative sexual abuse, and 48.7% (n = 56) had suffered penetrative sexual abuse. The majority of the perpetrators were known to the child from their close environment. A psychiatric diagnosis was made by the committee in 20.3% (n = 12) of the nonpenetrative cases and in 42.9% (n = 24) of the penetrative cases. There was a significant difference between penetrative and nonpenetrative sexual abuse in terms of psychiatric diagnoses. Of the cases of penetrative sexual abuse, 87.5% (n = 14) had attempted suicide. As a result, early diagnosis of sexual abuse, which has devastating effects on mental health in the early and late periods before it penetrates, can reduce the devastating effects on the child. For this reason, it is crucial for doctors, psychologists, social workers, and teachers who work with children to be informed about this issue.

Recipients of children's and adolescents' disclosures of childhood sexual abuse: A systematic review

Disclosure of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a complex, multifaceted process with many barriers that are largely shaped by individual, familial, and systemic characteristics. Children and youth tend to withhold or delay disclosure for many years, such that most CSA goes unreported. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence regarding the pathways and recipients of CSA disclosures and to identify potential developmental and gender differences in the recipients of disclosures. Thirty-seven studies conducted between 1990 and 2017 were selected for review. Results indicated that children and youth follow a gradual pattern of disclosure, whereby they first disclose to peers before disclosing to a parent or trusted adult, who can then help the child report to a person of authority. Key developmental patterns in CSA disclosure were identified, whereby older children and adolescents are significantly more likely to turn to peers, keeping the abuse largely hidden from adults. Gender differences were also found, whereby girls are more likely to seek emotional support by disclosing to peers, whereas boys are significantly less likely to disclose the abuse all together; when boys do disclose, they tend to do so for practical reasons, such as protection or accessing services. This review contributes to our understanding of the various pathways of CSA disclosure and highlights the importance of further understanding youth-directed disclosures and how the reactions of informal recipients of disclosures may impact further disclosures to authorities and professionals. Research and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Sex-based differences in multidimensional clinical assessments of early-abstinence crack cocaine users

Crack cocaine use disorder (CUD) has been related to sex differences. This work aimed to compare the severity of drug use and the severity of other negative related outcomes in males and females with CUD. A total of 1344 inpatients (798 males and 546 females) with crack cocaine use disorder (CUD) were evaluated by a detailed multidimensional clinical assessment, including addiction severity and trauma exposure. Linear regression predicted higher drug use severity (β = 0.273, p < 0.001) and more problems in domains related to childcare issues (β = 0.321), criminal involvement (β = 0.108), work-related problems (β = 0.281) and social support impairments (β = 0.142) for females, all with p < 0.001. Alcohol problems were predicted to be higher in males (β = -0.206, P < 0.001). Females had higher rates of other mental disorders, particularly trauma and stress-related disorders (OR: 3.206, CI: 2.22, 4.61). Important sex differences also emerged in trauma history and HIV infection prevalence. CUD has a more severe clinical presentation among females facing early abstinence. Sex differences in the CUD course indicate the need for consideration of sex-specific interventions and research.

High Betrayal Adolescent Sexual Abuse and Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: The Role of Depersonalization in Emerging Adults

Adolescent sexual abuse can interfere with healthy development. Sexual abuse that is perpetrated by close other(s)-high betrayal-can be additionally harmful, with sexual abuse being linked with dissociation and nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Depersonalization, a dissociative subtype characterized by disconnection between oneself and one's body and/or thoughts, may further explain the role of dissociation in NSSI. The purpose of the current study was to: 1) isolate the impact of adolescent sexual abuse on NSSI; and 2) examine depersonalization as a pathway between high betrayal adolescent sexual abuse and NSSI. Participants (N = 192) were college students who completed online measures assessing sexual abuse, dissociation, and NSSI. While controlling for child sexual abuse and adult sexual abuse, adolescent sexual abuse predicted NSSI. Moreover, there was an indirect effect of high betrayal adolescent sexual abuse on NSSI through depersonalization, while controlling for child sexual abuse, adult sexual abuse, and medium betrayal (perpetrator: unclose other) adolescent sexual abuse. Findings from the current study have implications for relational cultural therapy as an evidence-informed treatment that highlights the relational harm of interpersonal trauma, while incorporating contextual elements, such as development of maladaptive coping strategies, into therapy.

It Happened to Me: A Qualitative Analysis of Boys' Narratives About Child Sexual Abuse

Previous research on children's narratives about sexual abuse written predominately by girls uncovered several themes, including: (a) memories of the abuse, (b) the disclosure and subsequent events, and (c) the healing journey and a meta-theme titled "fear and safety." This follow-up study explored how boys describe their life prior to, during, and after sexual abuse in the form of trauma narratives and if there are distinctive features of boys' experiences that differ from those of girls. Analysis of narratives written by males ages 3 to 17 (N = 19) found that boys ascribe to the same themes as the initial research but also have experiences and perspectives that are unique to being male survivors. This article focuses on the first two themes: memories of the abuse and the disclosure and subsequent events. Gender differences are discussed along with recommendations for prevention of male sexual abuse.

The Fears and Futures of Boy Victims of Sexual Abuse: An Analysis of Narratives

Qualitative analysis of boys' narratives about child sexual abuse revealed several themes, including memories of the abuse, the disclosure and subsequent events, the healing journey, and a meta-theme titled "fear and safety." In this article, boys' (N = 19) experiences related to fear and safety and the healing journey are explored. The narratives provided a unique look at boys' road to recovery, perceptions of counseling, and hopes for their futures. Recommendations for counseling boy victims are discussed.

Gender as a predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms and externalizing behavior problems in sexually abused children

Despite the proliferation of studies documenting outcomes in sexually abused victims, gender differences remain understudied. The bulk of studies have relied on retrospective samples of adults with insufficient representation of male victims to explore gender specificities. This study examined differential outcomes among boy and girl victims of sexual abuse. A predictive model of outcomes including abuse characteristics and sense of guilt as mediators was proposed. Path analysis was conducted with a sample of 447 sexually abused children (319 girls and 128 boys), aged 6-12. Being a girl was a predictor of posttraumatic stress symptoms, while being a boy was a predictor of externalizing problems. Being a boy was also associated with more severe abuse, which in turn predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms. Child's gender was not related to perpetrator's relationship to the child or sense of guilt. However, sense of guilt predicted posttraumatic stress symptoms and externalizing problems while perpetrator's relationship to the child predicted externalizing problems. Gender specificities should be further studied among sexually abused children, as boys and girls appear to manifest different outcomes. Sense of guilt should be a target in intervention for sexually abused children, as results highlight its link to heightened negative outcomes.

Gender Differences in Sexually Abused Children and Adolescents: A Multicenter Study in Turkey

The purpose of this study was to examine gender-based differences in abuse-related characteristics and post-abuse psychiatric disorders among sexually abused children and adolescents. The researchers retrospectively examined files, judicial reports, and social examination reports of 1,250 sexually abused youth cases. Results showed that boys were more often victimized by penetration, force, and physical violence. Incidence of sexual abuse by family members, familiar persons, and multiple persons was higher among girls. In addition, a higher rate of major depressive disorder as well as alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking were found in sexually abused girls. No difference was observed between boys and girls in terms of post-traumatic stress disorder, conduct disorder, and other mental disorders. Intellectual disability was more frequent in boys.

The influence of geographical and economic factors in estimates of childhood abuse and neglect using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire: A worldwide meta-regression analysis

This multilevel meta-analysis examined the effects of geographical and economic factors on worldwide childhood maltreatment estimates measured by the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) short-form. The primary outcome extracted was continuous scores on the CTQ subscales - emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional neglect, and physical neglect - and total score. Geographical, economical and methodological variables were extracted for use as covariates in meta-regression models. A literature search identified 288 studies suitable for the CTQ total score analysis (N=59,692) and 189 studies suitable for maltreatment subtype analysis (N=44,832). We found that Europe and Asia were associated with lower CTQ estimates while South America presented the highest estimates among continents. Specifically, studies from China, Netherlands and United Kingdom presented the lowest maltreatment estimates. Furthermore, high-income countries presented lower CTQ physical neglect estimates in comparison to low- or middle-income countries, while per-capita gross domestic product of countries was negatively associated with childhood physical neglect estimates. Despite the influence of methodological covariates, these findings indicate that geographical and economic factors could influence variations of childhood maltreatment estimates around the world, particularly when assessed by a structured standardized questionnaire.

Multiple perpetrator rape among girls evaluated at a hospital-based child advocacy center: seven years of reviewed cases

The aim of this study was to describe contextual events, abuse experiences, and disclosure processes of adolescents who presented to a hospital-based Child Advocacy Center for medical evaluation and evidentiary collection as indicated after experiencing multiple perpetrator rape during a single event (n=32) and to compare these findings to a group of single perpetrator sexual assaults (n=534). This study used a retrospective mixed-methods design with in-depth, forensic interviews and complete physical examinations of gang-raped adolescents. Patients ranged from 12 to 17 years (M=14 years). Girls who experienced multiple perpetrator rape during a single event were more likely to have run away, to have drunk alcohol in the past month, and to have participated in binge drinking in the past 2 weeks. Acute presentation of these victims were rare but 30% had hymenal transections and 38% had sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Forensic interviews revealed alcohol was a common weapon used by offenders, and its use resulted in victims experiencing difficulty in remembering and reporting details for police investigation or physical and mental health care. Most victims were raped at parties they attended with people they thought they could trust, and they felt let down by witnesses who could have helped but did not intervene. Although relatively rare, multiple perpetrator rape during a single event is a type of severe sexual assault experience and has significant risks for deleterious health outcomes. These victims require health care by trained providers to diagnose physical findings, treat STIs, screen for trauma, and support victims.

Child sexual abuse in the Anglican Church of Australia

This article reports on a retrospective study of cases of child sexual abuse complaints made against clergy, other employed pastoral staff, and volunteers in the Anglican Church of Australia between 1990 and 2008. There were 191 allegations of sexual abuse made by 180 complainants against 135 individuals. Twenty-seven of those 135 had more than one complaint made against them. Three-quarters of all complainants were male. The most likely explanation for the large proportion of abused males is that the church gives many more opportunities for abusers to be alone with boys than with girls. Prevention strategies need to focus on reducing the opportunities for abuse to occur as well strategies concerning the recruitment of professional staff and volunteers.

The link between recent sexual abuse and drug use among African American male college students: it's not just a female problem in and around campus

This study examined the relationship between sexual abuse in or around campus and drug use among young African-American males in college. It offers cross-sectional analysis of data collected from the Alcohol and Substance Abuse Awareness and Use Study (ASAAUS). Data collection took place in October 2004 via a self-administered survey among 181 African-American male students. Males who reported past sexual abuse in or around campus were significantly more likely than nonsexually-abused males to have used tobacco (41% v. 19%, p < .05), alcohol (82% v. 49%, p < .05), marijuana (59% v. 30%, p < .05), and cocaine (18% v. 2%, p < .05) in the 30 day preceding the interview. Logistic regression analyses indicated that sexual abuse history in or around campus was significantly associated with past year (OR = 9.8, p < or = 0.001) and past 30 day (OR = 5.0, p < or = 0.001) drug use.