Sexual abuse of children. A comparative study of intra and extra-familial cases

• Tipo: Artigo em Revista Científica Internacional
• Data: 2009

Autores

Teresa Magalhães (Autor) FMUP; Taveira, F (Autor) Outra; Jardim, P (Autor) Outra; Santos, L (Autor) Outra; Matos, E (Autor) Outra; Santos A (Autor) FMUP

Revista

Título: Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

Vol. 16

Páginas: 455-459

ISSN: 1752-928X

Editora: Elsevier

Indexação

ISI Web of Knowledge - 17 Citações

Scopus - 30 Citações

Outras Informações

ID Authenticus: P-003-ER0

DOI: 10.1016/j.jflm.2009.05.007

Abstract (EN): 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.

Idioma: Inglês

Tipo (Avaliação Docente): Científica

Nº de páginas: 5