Sexual abuse of children and adolescents: characteristics of sexual victimization in family relations
Ribeiro, Márcia.Aparecida.; Ferriani, M.das.Graças.Carvalho.; Reis, J.Naves.dos.
Cadernos de Saude Publica 20(2): 456-464
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0102-311X PMID: 15073625 Document Number: 258370
A study was conducted to analyse the characteristics of sexual abuse committed within the family against age groups classified according to the Brazilian Statute for Children and Adolescents (the prevailing legislation on matters pertaining to minors) and treated at the Reference Center for Children and Adolescents and the Guardianship Councils in Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil, between 1995 and 2000. Some 234 abuses were identified, committed by 217 aggressors, against 210 families and a total of 226 victims. A total of 131 children (48.7%) and 95 adolescents (41.2%), predominantly females, were victimized. Children aged 10-12 years were the most frequently abused (19.5%), as well as adolescents aged 12-14 years (17.3%). The majority of the victims live in families with 3 (19.9%) or 4 children (177%), and the firstborn are the most frequently abused (33.6%). The majority of aggressors who acted alone victimized only one individual (86.7%). Fathers (34.2%) and stepfathers (30.3%) were the most frequent aggressors, with the former victimizing more children (19.7%) and the latter adolescents (17.1%).