Psychiatric evaluation of sexual abuse cases: a clinical representative sample from Turkey

Authors:
FIS Nese Perdahli, et al
Journal article citation:
Children and Youth Services Review, 32(10), October 2010, pp.1285-1290.
Publisher:
Elsevier

This research examined the characteristics of childhood sexual abuse cases referred for psychiatric evaluation in a university hospital in Turkey. Eighty three child sexual abuse cases referred between 2006 and 2010 were included. Findings indicated that two thirds of the victims were girls, and three quarters of the perpetrators were familiar. The most common type, 44%, of sexual abuse encountered was genital contact without penetration. All of the strangers were reported to legal authorities within 3 months whereas 77% were reported when offenders were familiar. Forty percent of the cases involving offending family members needed additional evaluation by social services, as opposed to 11% of cases with offenders who were not family members. Anxiety disorders and adjustment disorder were the most common psychiatric diagnoses. Family counselling for possible risk factors, child protection, and prevention of further abuse was provided for all cases. The authors concluded that the data was similar to western studies. Because of the significant impact on the victim, publishing data and emphasising the topic of child sexual abuse should help facilitate recognition and management of such cases.

Subject terms:
mental health problems, referral, assessment, child sexual abuse, forensic psychiatry;
Content type:
research
Location(s):
Turkey
Link:
Journal home page
ISSN print:
0190-7409

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