Child sexual abuse: The significance of the history and testifying on non-confirmatory findings

A multidisciplinary approach in pre-pubertal child sexual assault cases - forensic evaluation and suggestions

BACKGROUND

Child sexual assault is highly prevalent in India yet a handful cases are reported under POCSO (Protection against child sexual offenses) Act, 2012. Even though the victims' testimony alone is enough to arrest accused as regulated by the Supreme Court but forensic evidence is still critical for sentencing rapists. A systematic evaluation of such cases will estimate impact of Child sexual assault (CSA) and pinpoint important aspects required for progression of prevention strategies and provision of support.

METHOD AND OBJECTIVE

Present study reviewed cases pertaining pre-pubertal victims (up to 10 years age). Study included simple descriptive analysis of data highlighting significance of different variables in sexual assault cases involving child victims- perpetration, interventions, medical examination and forensic DNA analysis with the aim to improve primary preventive strategies and identify potential setbacks obstructing road to justice.

RESULT

The strengths and weaknesses of pre-pubertal sexual assault assessment were identified. This study analyzed socio-economic backgrounds, age of alleged accused and whether known to the victim. Frequently reported type of abuse was assessed and total reviewed cases that yielded DNA profile from exhibits of victims and alleged accused were determined.

CONCLUSION

As emerged in present study, pre-pubertal CSA is a complicated phenomenon grounded in interplay between societal influences, family support, evidence collection, legal delays, and medical hindrances that greatly affect DNA analysis. Prevalence of CSA is evidently alarming and demands stringent measures to be taken to prevent and control it. Joint and multidisciplinary assessment is important for forensic reporting rather than solo assessment.

Evaluation of Juvenile and Adolescent Sexual Abuse Victims: A Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics and the mental, anogenital, and physical examination findings of child and adolescent sexual abuse victims and to discuss them in the light of the literature.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included a total of 134 children and adolescent cases between the ages of 0 and 18 who were victims of sexual abuse, from among the reports prepared in the Forensic Medicine Clinic of Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal Training and Research Hospital between 2015 and 2019.

RESULTS

This study included 134 cases: 113 (84.3%) were female and 21 (15.7%) were male. The mean age was 13 ± 3.4 years (min: 3, max: 17). The average age of the defendants was 25.6 ± 13 years (min: 12, max: 75), and all the defendants were male. The defendants were strangers in 60 cases (4.8%). Sexual abuse mostly occurred as vaginal penetration in 46 cases (34.3%). Sixty-nine (51.5%) cases were exposed to abuse more than once. Depression due to sexual abuse developed in 14 (10.4%) of the cases.

CONCLUSION

Considering that many child abuse victims have normal examination findings, it should not be forgotten that the interview and psychiatric examination with the child are as valuable as the genital examination.

Medico-legal evidence collection in child sexual assault cases: a forensic significance

Background

Every year, millions of children face sexual exploitation worldwide. In India, 109 children (National Crime Records Bureau2018) were sexually abused everyday (22% jump from the previous year). Even with advanced DNA techniques, the conviction rate remains low. The methods used for forensic DNA evidence analysis vary around the world, but the primary step of biological evidence collection plays the most vital role. Proper and timely evidence collection from the victim by a trained medical professional is important.

Main body

Dynamics of child sexual assault being massively different from an adult rape demands altogether different approach of evidence collection. A standard sexual kit employed for evidence collection needs urgent modifications considering genital development of pre- and post-pubertal victims. In the present study, parameters including systemic collection and evaluation of forensic evidences, medico-legal examination, and developmental consequences of sexual assault on pre-pubertal victims were assessed. Further suggestions for separate evidence collection kit during medico-legal examination were given for pre-pubertal victims and alleged accused in sexual assault cases in order to streamline and for better evaluation of DNA analysis in forensic laboratories.

Conclusion

The importance of expert medical practitioners plays a significant role in collection of appropriate information and evidences from the victim of sexual assault. General guidelines for evidence collection in sexual assault cases are not well suited for pre-pubertal victims. Appropriate reforms pertaining to the age and genital development of victims are required. Securing clothing as forensic evidence is essential in most cases as it turned out to be the exclusive evidence bearing material. The purpose of this article is to bring awareness about the thorough medical examination and modified sexual assault kit for pre-pubertal victims and alleged accused for a better approach in evidence collection and conviction rate.

Overview of child sexual and substance abuse among children in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Child sexual abuse is common typically concealed while substance abuse is unhidden in their nature of practice globally.

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to express the overview of child sexual and substance abuse among children in Ethiopia.

METHOD

A facility-based cross-sectional study design with simple random sampling method was used to recruit study participants, after the allocation of sample size to the study institutions. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to describe the variables and to show the association of factors.

RESULTS

A total of 450 children participated in the study. The mean age of the study participants was 13.67. More than 38% of the study participants were of age below the mean age. The majority of 61.3% of the study population were living with their parents. Factors associated with child sexual abuse were sex (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI; 1.84,4.63), alcohol intake (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI; 1.461, 4.36), chewing chat (AOR = 3.84; 95% CI; 1.68, 8.75), cigarette smoking (AOR = 3.83; 95% CI; 1.67-8.81), age (AOR = 4.38 (95% CI: 2.90, 6.62), educational level (AOR = 0.64 (95% CI: 0.44, 0.93), living conditions (AOR = 4.44; 95%CI: 0.73, 26.87), and conflict between parents AOR = 2.50 (95% CI: 1.43, 4.35). Moreover, the age and educational level of the study participants were statistically significant at P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

The study concluded that a significant proportion of children who participated in the study experienced sexual abuse and/or substance abuse. Therefore, there should be an intrusion to reverse the prevalent children's sexual and/or substance abuse in the country.