Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Indian Journal of Pediatrics 8/2014

01-08-2014 | Original Article

Prevalence and Spectrum of Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents in Kerala, South India

Authors: P. Krishnakumar, K. Satheesan, M. G. Geeta, K. Sureshkumar

Published in: Indian Journal of Pediatrics | Issue 8/2014

Login to get access

Abstract

Objective

To study the prevalence and spectrum of sexual abuse among adolescents in Kerala, South India.

Methods

A self- report survey was conducted among adolescents in the 15–19 y age group, studying in the plus one and plus two classes in selected schools.

Results

Of the 1614 respondents (688 boys and 926 girls), 36 % of boys and 35 % of girls had experienced sexual abuse at some point during their lifetime. Most instances were sexual advances while using public transport. Feelings of insecurity and isolation at home, of being disliked by parents and of being depressed were significantly more in adolescents who had experienced sexual abuse, compared to those who had not.

Conclusions

Sexual abuse is widely prevalent and both boys and girls are equally susceptible. There is a need to evolve strategies to protect children from sexual abuse and the programmes should address both boys and girls.
Literature
1.
go back to reference World Health Organization. Report of the consultation on child abuse prevention. Geneva: World Health Organization; 29–31 March 1999. Document WHO/HSC/PVI/99.1. World Health Organization. Report of the consultation on child abuse prevention. Geneva: World Health Organization; 29–31 March 1999. Document WHO/HSC/PVI/99.1.
2.
go back to reference Senn TE, Carey MP, Vanable PA, Coury-Doniger P, Urban M. Characteristics of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence influence sexual risk behavior in adulthood. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36:637–45.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Senn TE, Carey MP, Vanable PA, Coury-Doniger P, Urban M. Characteristics of sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence influence sexual risk behavior in adulthood. Arch Sex Behav. 2007;36:637–45.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Arnow BA. Relationships between childhood maltreatment, adult health and psychiatric outcomes, and medical utilization. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65:S10–5. Arnow BA. Relationships between childhood maltreatment, adult health and psychiatric outcomes, and medical utilization. J Clin Psychiatry. 2004;65:S10–5.
4.
go back to reference Briere J, Elliott DM. Prevalence and psychological sequelae of self-reported childhood physical and sexual abuse in a general population sample of men and women. Child Abuse Negl. 2003;27:1205–22.PubMedCrossRef Briere J, Elliott DM. Prevalence and psychological sequelae of self-reported childhood physical and sexual abuse in a general population sample of men and women. Child Abuse Negl. 2003;27:1205–22.PubMedCrossRef
5.
go back to reference Bulik CM, Prescott CA, Kendler KS. Features of childhood sexual abuse and the development of psychiatric and substance use disorders. Br J Psychiatry. 2001;179:444–9.PubMedCrossRef Bulik CM, Prescott CA, Kendler KS. Features of childhood sexual abuse and the development of psychiatric and substance use disorders. Br J Psychiatry. 2001;179:444–9.PubMedCrossRef
6.
go back to reference Callahan KL, Price JL, Hilsenroth MJ. Psychological assessment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse within a naturalistic clinical sample. J Pers Assess. 2003;80:173–84.PubMedCrossRef Callahan KL, Price JL, Hilsenroth MJ. Psychological assessment of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse within a naturalistic clinical sample. J Pers Assess. 2003;80:173–84.PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Molnar BE, Buka SL, Kessler RC. Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Am J Public Health. 2001;91:753–60. Molnar BE, Buka SL, Kessler RC. Child sexual abuse and subsequent psychopathology: Results from the National Comorbidity Survey. Am J Public Health. 2001;91:753–60.
8.
go back to reference Barth J, Bermetz L, Heim E, Trelle S, Tonia T. The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Public Health. 2013;58:469–83. Barth J, Bermetz L, Heim E, Trelle S, Tonia T. The current prevalence of child sexual abuse worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Public Health. 2013;58:469–83.
9.
go back to reference Pereda N, Guilera G, Forns M, Gómez-Benito J. The prevalence of child sexual abuse in community and student samples: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29:328–38.PubMedCrossRef Pereda N, Guilera G, Forns M, Gómez-Benito J. The prevalence of child sexual abuse in community and student samples: A meta-analysis. Clin Psychol Rev. 2009;29:328–38.PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Stoltenborgh M, van Ijzendoorn MH, Euser EM, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ. A global perspective on child sexual abuse: Meta-analysis of prevalence around the world. Child Maltreat. 2011;16:79–101. Stoltenborgh M, van Ijzendoorn MH, Euser EM, Bakermans-Kranenburg MJ. A global perspective on child sexual abuse: Meta-analysis of prevalence around the world. Child Maltreat. 2011;16:79–101.
11.
go back to reference Tulir CPHCSA and Save the Children Sweden, South and Central Asia region. Doesn’t every child count? Research on prevalence and dynamics of child sexual abuse among school going children in Chennai. Available at: http://www.tulir.org/images/pdf/. Accessed 2 July 2013. Tulir CPHCSA and Save the Children Sweden, South and Central Asia region. Doesn’t every child count? Research on prevalence and dynamics of child sexual abuse among school going children in Chennai. Available at: http://​www.​tulir.​org/​images/​pdf/​. Accessed 2 July 2013.
12.
go back to reference Deb S, Modek S. Prevalence of violence against children in families in tripura and its relationship with socio-economic factors. J Inj Violence Res. 2010;2:5–18.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef Deb S, Modek S. Prevalence of violence against children in families in tripura and its relationship with socio-economic factors. J Inj Violence Res. 2010;2:5–18.PubMedCentralPubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Macmillan HL, Tanaka M, Duku E, Vaillancourt T, Boyle MH. Child physical and sexual abuse in a community sample of young adults: results from the Ontario Child Health Study. Child Abuse Negl. 2013;37:14–21.PubMedCrossRef Macmillan HL, Tanaka M, Duku E, Vaillancourt T, Boyle MH. Child physical and sexual abuse in a community sample of young adults: results from the Ontario Child Health Study. Child Abuse Negl. 2013;37:14–21.PubMedCrossRef
15.
go back to reference Glasser M, Kolvin I, Campbell D, Glasser A, Leitch I, Farrelly S. Cycle of child sexual abuse: Links between being a victim and becoming a perpetrator. Br J Psychiatry. 2001;179:482–94.PubMedCrossRef Glasser M, Kolvin I, Campbell D, Glasser A, Leitch I, Farrelly S. Cycle of child sexual abuse: Links between being a victim and becoming a perpetrator. Br J Psychiatry. 2001;179:482–94.PubMedCrossRef
16.
go back to reference Salter D, McMillan D, Richards M, Talbot T, Hodges J, Bentovim A, et al. Development of sexually abusive behaviour in sexually victimised males: A longitudinal study. Lancet. 2003;361:471–6. Salter D, McMillan D, Richards M, Talbot T, Hodges J, Bentovim A, et al. Development of sexually abusive behaviour in sexually victimised males: A longitudinal study. Lancet. 2003;361:471–6.
17.
go back to reference Skuse D, Bentovim A, Hodges J, Stevenson J, Andreou C, Lanyado M, et al. Risk factors for development of sexually abusive behaviour in sexually victimised adolescent boys: Cross sectional study. BMJ. 1998;317:175–9. Skuse D, Bentovim A, Hodges J, Stevenson J, Andreou C, Lanyado M, et al. Risk factors for development of sexually abusive behaviour in sexually victimised adolescent boys: Cross sectional study. BMJ. 1998;317:175–9.
18.
go back to reference Carey PD, Walker JL, Rossouw W, Seedat S, Stein DJ. Risk indicators and psychopathology in traumatized children and adolescents with a history of sexual abuse. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;17:93–8.PubMedCrossRef Carey PD, Walker JL, Rossouw W, Seedat S, Stein DJ. Risk indicators and psychopathology in traumatized children and adolescents with a history of sexual abuse. Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2008;17:93–8.PubMedCrossRef
19.
go back to reference Newcomb MD, Munoz DT, Carmona JV. Child sexual abuse consequences in community samples of Latino and European American adolescents. Child Abuse Negl. 2009;33:533–44.PubMedCrossRef Newcomb MD, Munoz DT, Carmona JV. Child sexual abuse consequences in community samples of Latino and European American adolescents. Child Abuse Negl. 2009;33:533–44.PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Dong M, Anda RF, Dube RS, Giles WH, Felitti JV. The relationship of exposure to childhood sexual abuse to other forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction during childhood. Child Abuse Negl. 2003;27:625–39.PubMedCrossRef Dong M, Anda RF, Dube RS, Giles WH, Felitti JV. The relationship of exposure to childhood sexual abuse to other forms of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction during childhood. Child Abuse Negl. 2003;27:625–39.PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Prevalence and Spectrum of Sexual Abuse Among Adolescents in Kerala, South India
Authors
P. Krishnakumar
K. Satheesan
M. G. Geeta
K. Sureshkumar
Publication date
01-08-2014
Publisher
Springer India
Published in
Indian Journal of Pediatrics / Issue 8/2014
Print ISSN: 0019-5456
Electronic ISSN: 0973-7693
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1260-z

Other articles of this Issue 8/2014

Indian Journal of Pediatrics 8/2014 Go to the issue

Pediatrics in General Practice

Emergencies in Pediatric Surgery