Female Child Sexual Abuse within the Family in a Hungarian County

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the characteristics of intrafamiliar female child sexual abuse and to explore common features that may be utilized as targets for possible methods of prevention. We also described the medical and legal approaches to handling child neglect. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study on 52 sexually abused girls under the age of 18 at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical and Health Science Center of Debrecen. We prospectively recorded the data of all cases. Intrafamiliar events were defined if the victim and perpetrator belonged to the same family. Legal outcomes were also recorded. Results: During the 16-year period, 209 cases of sexual abuse were seen in our clinic, 52 of them had been involved in child sexual abuse within the family. This accounts for 25% of adolescent cases. Eighty-six percent of the victims were pupils, 50% of them were between 11 and 14 years of age. The perpetrator was the victim’s father in 44%, and the stepfather in 40%. There was a slight difference between the type of abuse among the pre- and postpubertal group of victims, but statistically it was not significant. The abuse occurred on multiple occasions in 52%. The occurrence rate of assault was the highest in the summer season (58%), mostly in the afternoon (42%) and it took place almost exclusively at home (98%). The mother accompanied the victim in 38% of the cases and the police in 40%. Vaginal penetration was the type of abuse in 75%, and sexual perversion in 25%. Six victims were physically injured, the presence of sperm could be confirmed on vulvovaginal smears in 2 cases. One pregnancy conceived. Nine cases were reported to the police and as a result of legal proceedings, 5 perpetrators have been sentenced. Conclusion: The majority of crimes take place within the family and are disclosed after multiple episodes. The small proportion of reported sexual assaults is the consequence of the lack of harmony between the Hungarian conditions of emergency care and the criminal law. Prevention calls for attention at all levels of child education, observation at off-school times, early involvement of health professionals, applying standardized medical guidelines and the modification of jurisdiction.

Prevalence of violence against children in families in Tripura and Its relationship with socio-economic factors

“…Children from poor families with low level of education and poor social network are more prone to child trafficking, abuse and maltreatment as they can be easily allured in the name of marriage and job offers in the urban areas. 16,32 …”

“…15 There are also some similarities in the findings of the present study and that of another study with respect to the profile of the perpetrators and the nature of sexual abuse of female children. 16 A review of epidemiological surveys from 21 countries, mainly high and middle-income countries, found that at least 7.0% of females (ranging up to 36.0%) and 3.0% of males (ranging up to 29.0%) reported sexual victimization during adulthood. According to these studies, between 14.0% and 56.0% of the sexual abuse of female children, and up to 25.0% of the sexual abuse of male children, was perpetrated by relatives or step-parents.…”

“…Reporting of cases of sexual abuse is low worldwide. 16 In India in general, and in Tripura in particular, most of the police stations do not have a private area to conduct interviews with the child, and the lack of female police officials is a huge impediment in investigating and recording incidents of child abuse.…”

“…15 In another study it was found that the victim’s fathers were the perpetrators of sexual abuse against children in 44.0% of the cases, and the stepfather in 40.0% of the cases. 16 …”