ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Child sexual abuse (CSA) encompasses a variety of distinct situations, which should be differentiated. There is a need for a working classification, taking into account various parameters. METHODS: The Geneva CSA prevalence study was based on 1116 randomly selected adolescents aged 14 to 16. Secondary analyses of the 252 reported cases of abuse was carried out using a multivariate approach combining multiple correspondence analysis and automatic classification, leading to descriptive analyses and to a new classification of CSA. RESULTS: Global prevalence of CSA, using a broad definition, was 10.9% for boys, and 33.8% for girls. Classification of cases of abuse differentiated 5 classes: (A) exhibitionism or other abuse without contact, by an adult (proportion of cases in boys: 22%; girls: 32%); (B) abuse of an adolescent boy by a peer without contact (62%); (C) abuse of an adolescent girl by a peer with physical contact (38%); (D) abuse inside the family, repeated (boys: 10%, girls: 16%); (E) child abuse with genital penetration, lasting 2 years or more (boys: 7%; girls: 14%). CONCLUSIONS: CSA is a complex and heterogeneous problem. Reported abuse situations can be classified into five classes, with different degrees of severity, causes, and consequences. Classification is essential in clinical research as well as in the design and conception of prevention programs.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse/statistics & numerical data , Child , Child Abuse/classification , Female , Humans , Male , Multivariate Analysis , Prevalence , Switzerland/epidemiologyABSTRACT
The distribution and redistribution of venlafaxine were investigated in two overdoses and several cases involving the therapeutic use of venlafaxine. Blood, liver, bile vitreous humor, urine and gastric contents were analyzed using high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Blood concentrations of venlafaxine in the two overdose cases were 53 mg/L and 78 mg/L. Comparison of venlafaxine concentrations in blood samples taken at different times after death revealed increases in concentrations over time, suggesting the possible postmortem redistribution of venlafaxine.
Subject(s)
Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation/poisoning , Cyclohexanols/poisoning , Substance Abuse Detection , Adult , Alcoholism/complications , Autopsy , Depressive Disorder/complications , Depressive Disorder/drug therapy , Drug Overdose/mortality , Female , Humans , Venlafaxine HydrochlorideABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To measure the cumulative prevalence of child sexual abuse in a representative sample of the adolescent population of Geneva. DESIGN: Cross sectional survey with an anonymous self administered questionnaire centred on a factual description of sexual activities. SETTING: 68 classes (17 schools) randomly selected from the 201 ninth grade classes of the public school system in Geneva. SUBJECTS: 1193 adolescents aged 13-17 years, of whom 1116 (93.5%; 568 girls, 548 boys) consented to the study and returned completed questionnaires. RESULTS: 192 (33.8%) girls and 60 (10.9%) boys reported having experienced at least one sexually abusive event. The prevalence of abuse involving physical contact was 20.4% (116 cases) among girls and 3.3% (18) among boys. The prevalence of abuse involving some form of penetration was 5.6% (32 cases) among girls and 1.1% (six) among boys. One third of the abused adolescents had experienced more than one abusive event and 46.5% (92/198) had experienced the first event before age 12. Abuse by a family member was reported by 20.5% (36/176) of abused girls and 6.3% (3/48) of abused boys. Abusers were known to victims in two thirds of cases. Ninety per cent of abusers were male and 35.3% (71/201) came from the victim's peer group. Over 80% of participants found the questionnaire interesting, clearly formulated, and useful. CONCLUSIONS: Child sexual abuse is a universal social phenomenon. Adolescents themselves can contribute to research and so help in the search for more efficient prevention and intervention strategies.
Subject(s)
Child Abuse, Sexual , Adolescent , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Prevalence , Sex Factors , Switzerland/epidemiology , Truth DisclosureABSTRACT
Vampires arouse strong popular interest and attract large print and film audiences. Their influence is also notable in clinical vampirism, a rare condition described in the forensic literature covering some of humanity's most shocking behaviors. Definitions of vampirism involve aspects of necrophilia, sadism, cannibalism, and a fascination with blood. Its relationships with established diagnostic categories, particularly schizophrenia and psychopathy, are also examined and illustrated by the presentation of a "modern" vampire. As myth and reality are disentangled, clinical vampirism reveals the complex mother-child dyad's blood ties running amok.
