Sexual abuse of children. A comparative study of intra and extra-familial cases.
The existing data suggest that individuals experiencing intra-familial abuse are affected more significantly than those experiencing extra-familial abuse. This study aims to identify possible differences between these types of abuse. A retrospective study was performed based on medico-legal reports related to children suspected of being sexually abused (n=1054). The results revealed that 40.2% of the suspected abuses were intra-familial and were significantly different than extra-familial cases with respect to the following: (a) the complainants were younger; (b) their relationship to the alleged abuser was closer; (c) the alleged abusers had higher rates of previous sexual abuse; (d) the suspected abuses were less intrusive physically; (e) there was less physical but more psychological violence; (f) the delay between the last abuse and the medico-legal examination was greater; and (g) there were fewer physical signs and DNA evidence (none in the great majority of cases). These results highlight aspects of intra-familial abuse that have been identified as factors influencing the severity of its consequences - physically, these instances of abuse were less intrusive but psychologically they were more intrusive than extra-familial abuse. This justifies the use of different strategies in the diagnosis and support for victims within the family.
Magalhães
Teresa
T
National Institute of Legal Medicine, North Branch, Porto, Portugal. tmaga@med.up.pt
Taveira
Francisco
F
Jardim
Patrícia
P
Santos
Liliana
L
Matos
Eduarda
E
Santos
Agostinho
A
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D057229:Alcoholics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004247:DNA / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D011174:Portugal; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013334:Students; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
D004247:DNA