Lifetime child sexual abuse assessed at age 18

Abstract

Estimates of child sexual abuse (CSA) during adolescence may undercount exposure and retrospective recollection in adulthood may be prone to recall bias. Thus, a more accurate and CSA may be possible if the question is examined in a large sample of 18 years old. This study examined the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of CSA among college-going 18 years olds. This is a cross-sectional survey of college students. 1424 students from 58 colleges selected by cluster random sampling completed a self-administered questionnaire incorporating standardized instruments. Prevalence rates were calculated. Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables and binary logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlates of CSA. CSA was reported by 13.2% and significantly more common among males compared to females (18.4% vs. 10.4%, P < 0.05). In the full model of binary logistic regression analysis, students who reported sexual abuse were significantly more likely to report psychological distress and suicidal thoughts. The finding was replicated even when male and female students were analyzed separately. To conclude, CSA is common among college students. With an increasing number of young people enrolling in colleges in India, timely interventions on campuses are important to reduce the psychological morbidity in this population.

The Behavioral Health Sector Response to Child Sexual Abuse, Exploitation, and Trafficking: A Call to Action

“…1, 2 Prevalence estimates of CSA in India vary from 1.6% to 57%, depending on the population sampled, types of sexual abuse considered (e.g., contact, non-contact), and the measurement tool used. 3–8 An estimated 2.8 million Indian women and children are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, 9 which may involve prostitution (through human trafficking or tribal/religious practices, associated with travel/business, or as mode of survival), production of child sexual abuse materials (child pornography), and child marriage. Of India’s 223 million child brides, 102 million were married before their 15 th birthday.…”