Understanding child sexual abuse: Analyzing the components, risk factors, rates, effects, and prevention measures
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2025-04-25
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Child sexual abuse is an ongoing issue in the United States, with estimates of around 50,000 children per year experiencing sexual abuse. The severity of sexual abuse has been categorized as non-contact, contact, and penetrative/intercourse sexual abuse. The present study explores which types of factors—among cases processed in Texas—are related to the severity of sexual abuse. A retrospective chart review from 2017 to 2023 was conducted using a multinomial analysis of 50 females and 36 males from a foster care agency in Texas. Results indicated that mental health status and certain demographics of child victims were significantly associated with the severity of sexual abuse. Descriptive statistics produced findings that aligned with previous child sexual abuse research on victim and perpetrator demographics, complex trauma, placement disruptions, and family dynamics. This study highlights that child sexual abuse case characteristics are not linear due to a multitude of independent factors.
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Criminology and Criminal Justice