Variables associated with the nature of sexual abuse to minors.

This study analyzes the prevalence and characteristics of childhood and adolescence sexual abuse suffered by a sample of university students, as well as the variables associated with the nature of abuse. Participants anonymously completed the Questionnaire on Child Sexual Abuse, in order to obtain information about experience of sexual abuse. Of a total of 2,375 students, 289 (12.2%) declared having suffered sexual abuse before the age of 18. The invasiveness, continuity, and severity of abuse was related to the location where the abuse took place (the more severe cases were committed in the homes of the victim and perpetrator) and to the circumstances of abuse (relationships with partners/at a party or while caring for a child predicted more severe abuse). The age of the victim (preschool) and an intrafamilial relationship between victim and perpetrator were also related to more invasive, continuous, and severe sexual abuse. The knowledge of characteristics of perpetrator and victim and the context in which sexual abuse occurs can help to better comprehend the nature and correlates of sexual abuse. The results of the present study may contribute to the design of programs for the prevention of sexual abuse to minors.

Variables associated with the nature of sexual abuse to minors

This study analyzes the prevalence and characteristics of childhood and adolescence sexual abuse suffered by a sample of university students, as well as the variables associated with the nature of abuse. Participants anonymously completed the Questionnaire on Child Sexual Abuse, in order to obtain information about experience of sexual abuse. Of a total of 2,375 students, 289 (12.2%) declared having suffered sexual abuse before the age of 18. The invasiveness, continuity, and severity of abuse was related to the location where the abuse took place (the more severe cases were committed in the homes of the victim and perpetrator) and to the circumstances of abuse (relationships with partners/at a party or while caring for a child predicted more severe abuse). The age of the victim (preschool) and an intrafamilial relationship between victim and perpetrator were also related to more invasive, continuous, and severe sexual abuse. The knowledge of characteristics of perpetrator and victim and the context in which sexual abuse occurs can help to better comprehend the nature and correlates of sexual abuse. The results of the present study may contribute to the design of programs for the prevention of sexual abuse to minors (AU)

El estudio analiza la prevalencia y características del abuso sexual infantil y adolescente en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios, así como las variables relacionadas con la naturaleza del abuso. Los participantes contestaron de forma anónima al Cuestionario sobre Abuso Sexual Infantil para obtener información sobre la experiencia de abuso sexual. De un total de 2.375 estudiantes, 289 (12,2%) manifestaron haber sufrido abuso sexual antes de los 18 años. La invasividad, continuidad y gravedad del abuso se relacionaban con el lugar donde se había producido (los casos más graves fueron los cometidos tanto en el hogar de la víctima como del perpetrador) y con las circunstancias del abuso (relaciones con parejas/en una fiesta o mientras se cuida el niño predecían los abusos más graves). La edad de la víctima (preescolar) y la relación intrafamiliar entre víctima y perpetrador también se relacionaban con un abuso sexual más invasivo, continuado y grave. El conocimiento de las características del perpetrador y de la víctima y el contexto en el que ocurre el abuso sexual pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la naturaleza y los correlatos del abuso sexual. Los resultados de esta investigación pueden contribuir al diseño de programas para la prevención del abuso sexual a menores (AU)

Naturaleza de los abusos sexuales a menores y consecuencias en la salud mental de las víctimas / Characteristics of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences on victims’ mental health

Objetivo: Determinar la prevalencia, la naturaleza y las consecuencias de los abusos sexuales sufridos durante la infancia o la adolescencia. Métodos: 2.159 estudiantes de la Universidad de Granada respondieron voluntariamente y de forma anónima a un cuestionario sobre abuso sexual. Establecido el grupo de víctimas, se formó otro de comparación con estudiantes sin antecedentes de abusos. En una segunda sesión se evaluó la salud mentald e ambos grupos. Resultados: 269 (12,5%) estudiantes manifestaron haber sufrido abusos sexuales antes de los 18 años de edad. El 62,8% de los abusos consistió en tocamientos y la edad media de inicio fue a los 8,8 años. Los perpetradores, mayoritariamente varones y un 44% menores de edad, solían cometer los abusos en el hogar de la víctima o en el suyo, aprovechándose de las visitas o de su estrecha vinculación. Alrededor del 50% se sirvió del engaño o del juego. En cuanto a la salud mental de las víctimas, las universitarias con antecedentes de abusos sexuales tenían menor autoestima y asertividad, y puntuaciones más altas enactitud vital negativa, depresión y ansiedad, que las del grupo de comparación. Las víctimas varones, sinembargo, sólo diferían de los universitarios sin antecedentes de abusos en su mayor nivel de ansiedad. Conclusiones: Los resultados demuestran la gravedad del problema de los abusos sexuales a menores y sus consecuencias, así como las circunstancias en que se producen y el perfil de los agresores y de las víctimas; unos resultados relevantes para la planificación de programas de detección y prevención de los abusos (AU)

Objective: To analyze the prevalence, nature and consequences of sexual abuse during childhood oradolescence. Methods: A total of 2,159 college students from the University of Granada anonymously completed aquestionnaire on sexual abuse. A group of sexual abuse survivors was established and a comparison group without a history of abuse was selected. In a second session, the socio-affective adjustment of bothgroups was assessed. Results: Sexual abuse before the age of 18 was reported by 269 (12.5%) students. In 62.8%, the abuse consisted of the perpetrator touching the victim and/or the victim touching the perpetrator. The averageage at which the sexual abuse started was 8.8 years old. The vast majority of perpetrators were males and 44% were under-age minors. The perpetrators usually committed the sexual abuse in the victim’s homeor in their own homes, taking advantage of visits and/or close relationships. Almost half the perpetrators made use of deception or games. Female college students with a history of sexual abuse had lower selfesteem,were less assertive, had a more negative attitude toward life, and higher depression and anxietyscores than women in the comparison group. Male survivors, however, differed from non-survivors onlyin having higher anxiety levels. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the severity of the problem of sexual abuse of minors and its consequences, the circumstances in which this abuse occurs, and the profiles of perpetrators and victims.These results are relevant for the planning of abuse detection and prevention programs (AU)