Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of sexually abused children and adolescents cases living in Turkey's Eastern Anatolia region

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the sociodemographic features of sexually abused children and adolescents who were sent for forensic evaluation, besides that psychopathologies developing after the abuse. Materials and Methods: Ninety child and adolescents who were admitted to Van judicial branch of forensic medicine units for forensic evaluation due to sexual abuse have been enrolled to the study between 01.01.2010 and 30.06.2015 retrospectively. General physical examination was carried out by forensic experts. The clinical interviews were conducted by two expert psychiatrists. Results: Our study consists of 60 (66,7%) girls and 30 (33,3%) boys aged between 4 and 18 years (11,9±4,02) old. The most frequently reported sexual abuse type was vaginal penetration in girls (48,3%) and anal penetration in boys (90%). It was found that 12,2 % (n=11) of victims were exposed to sexual abuse longer than a year, 31,1% (n=28) of victims were exposed more than one sexual abuse and 5,6% (n=5) of victims were abused by more than one abuser. Concerning the abusers; 64,4% (n=58) were familiar and 21,1% (n=19) were among family members. 28,9% (n=26) of the child and adolescents were diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder, 8,9% (n=8) Major Depressive Disorder and 5,6% (n=5) Acute Stress Disorder. Conclusion: It has been found that female gender and primary education level are high risk factors in children for exposure to sexual abuse and psychopathologies particularly Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.