Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Child Sexual Abuse Reported to an Urban Public Hospital in Southern India, 2019-22

Objective: To describe the profile of child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to a tertiary care hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis of CSA reported in children aged below 18 years from January, 2019 to June, 2022. Results: Out of the 231 cases of sexual abuse reported, 115 (49.8%) were children below 18 years. Most of the victims were children from 10 to 15 years (37.4%), and there were only two male victims. In 89.6%, the perpetrator was known to the victim. Revictimization was seen in 31%. The reported perpetrators were friends (27%), neighbors (34.8%), strangers (10.4%), or fathers (7.8%). Penetrative abuse was seen in 58.3% of reports. External injuries were seen in 6.96%. Eight victims were pregnant and HIV screening was positive in one victim. Conclusion: Early identification of CSA is important to prevent revictimization. Children from all age groups can be victims of CSA. Perpetrators can hail from all walks of life of the children.

Acción con daño: del asistencialismo a la construcción social de la víctima. Mirada a procesos de reparación e intervención psicosocial en Colombia / Action with Harm: From Assistance to the Social Construction of the Victim. A View of the Psychosocial Reparation and Intervention Processes in Colombia

Resumen Este artículo, producto de la investigación "Construcción de significados sobre reparación institucional y reparación desde abajo en víctimas del conflicto armado" —desarrollada en la Universidad de San Buenaventura, Medellín—, utilizó el método cualitativo, con enfoque fenomenológico-hermenéutico y un muestreo no probabilístico, tipológico e intencional. En el municipio de San Carlos, se realizaron 12 grupos de discusión (SC-GF), 7 entrevistas individuales (SC-EI) y 5 entrevistas grupales (SC-EG). En Medellín se desarrollaron 8 grupos de discusión (AM-GF) y 12 entrevistas individuales (AM-EI). Finalmente, se hicieron 32 entrevistas en profundidad (P-E) a profesionales que manifestaron desgaste intenso en su labor. En todos estos escenarios emergió la categoría "Acción con daño", evidenciando incoherencias, problemas en proyectos de reparación psicosocial y afectaciones que profundizan el daño.

Abstract This article, product of research "Construction of meanings on institutional reparation and reparation from below into victims of armed conflict", it is a process developed from San Buenaventura University, Medellin. The qualitative method was used, with phenomenological-hermeneutical approach and a non-probabilistic, typological and purposive sampling. In the municipality of San Carlos, 12 groups of discussion were made (SC-GF), 7 individual interviews (SC-EI) and 5 group interviews (SC-EG) were performed. In Medellin we develop 8 groups discussion (AM-GF) and 12 individual interviews (AM-EI). Finally we conducted 32 in-depth interviews (P-E) to professionals who showed heavy wear in their work. In all these scenarios, it emerged the category "Action with harm", demonstrating inconsistencies, problems in psychosocial reparation projects and effects that deepen the harm.

Post-Traumatic Cognition Mediates the Relationship between a History of Sexual Abuse and the Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Sexual Assault Victims

More than half of all sexual assault victims report experiencing sexual victimization more than once. The aim of this paper was to determine the role post-traumatic cognition plays in the relationship between a history of sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms in sexual assault victims. The relationship between a history of sexual assault and the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms was investigated retrospectively using data from a sexual assault crisis center in Korea. Data on psychological symptoms were collected in person at the initial assessment and by telephone 1 month later using the Post-traumatic Cognitions Inventory and the Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Scale: Self-report Version. Of 105 women included in the analysis, 10 (9.5%) reported prior sexual abuse and were classified as sexually revictimized. Revictimized women had more post-traumatic negative cognition at initial assessment (t = −2.98; P = 0.004) and more post-traumatic symptoms at 1 month follow-up (t = −2.39; P = 0.019) than singly victimized women. At 1 month follow-up, the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms had increased in revictimized women but had decreased slightly in singly victimized women. Negative post-traumatic cognition fully mediated the association between a history of sexual abuse and the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Early detection of sexually revictimized women and tailored service and treatment intervention is needed to better serve this group of victims. Interventions targeted at preventing revictimization or post crime victimization may also help victims recover from the trauma and prevent future abuse.

Apectos médicos legales del síndrome del menor agredido / Legal-medical aspects of the Battered child syndrome

El síndrome del menor agredido en cuya génesis participan múltiples factores biopsicosociales, afecta a niños de todas las edades alrededor del mundo, principalmente a niños pequeños y con ciertos factores de riesgo. Aunque los daños físicos que producen suelen ser transitorios, pueden ocurrir secuelas físicas y generalmente psicológicas persistentes, o la muerte. En Costa Rica existe amplia legislación que ampara la menor contra los maltratos, correspondiéndole al equipo del sistema de salud nacional salvaguardar su salud y en muchos casos su vida. En este contexto, le compete al médico ser un ejecutante habilidoso en la valoración clínica a través de la cual se aborde al paciente. Desde el interrogatorio no revictimizante, el personal de salud debe realizar un abordaje inmediato conducente a evitar mayor lesionología para con el niño del que se ha abusado física y sexualmente, y para lo cual debe comprender temas tales como: establecimiento de la compatibilidad del mecanismo y fisiopatología del trauma, diagnóstico diferencial y evaluación clínico forense, además de contar con elementos que identifiquen indicadores psicológicos en la dinámica traumatogénica del menor. Especial atención debe presentarse a la toma, conservación y manipulación de las muestras biológicas en casos de delitos sexuales, con el fin de evitar la pérdida de evidencia forense...

Revictimización un fenómeno invisibilizado en las instituciones / Revictimization an invisiblelized phenomena in institutions

El presente trabajo de investigación sobre la revictimiación institucional pone de manifiesto la existencia de dicho fenómeno dentro del sistema judicial. Se analizan las causas de esta situación la cual aparenta no tener la debida cobertura del sistema ni la de los propios funcionarios que laboran en tal situación. Se hace una exposición de motivos que explica el fenómeno que incluye las políticas existentes, las estrategias de capacitación, difusión y consistencia. Además se estudia la existencia de la oficina deatención a la víctima del delito desde su iniciativa, la cual catapulta la figura de la víctima a un lugar hasta entonces negado, sin que su actuar trascienda al ámbito requerido por razones que se analizan. En las conclusiones se brindan recomendaciones pertinentes para quienes están sufriendo como víctimas por su labor.

This investigation about institutional revictimization demonstrates the existence of this phenomenon within the judicial system. The causes of this situation are analyzed, that seems not to have the appropriate coverage from the system nor from the employees of the institutions. An exposition of the different motives is done to explain the phenomenon that includes current policies, capacitating strategies, diffusion and consistency. Also the existence of the Attention to Victim of Crime Office is studied from its initiative, which catapults the victim figure to a previously denied place. As conclusions, some recommendations are brought for those who are suffering as victims.