Risk Factors for Child Sexual Abuse and Perpetrator Related Risk Factors at Adama Hospital Medical College, Adama, Ethiopia

Abstract

Information regarding risk factors for child sexual abuse and perpetrators related risk factors were scarce in Ethiopia, even not considered as taboos till few decades and now has become one of the most high-profile crimes. The aim of this study is to identify and assess risk factors for child sexual abuse and perpetrators related risk factors in child sexual abuse. To conduct the study, quantitative method was employed and a survey was conducted from October 2016 to April 2017. A sample of 300 sexually abused children was selected for the study. A Questionnaire was developed according to the objective of the study and translated into the local language (Amharic language). To ensure the validity and reliability of developed questionnaire various measures were taken and a pilot study was conducted at the study site. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, through Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 20.0 statistical packages. The results showed that 98% of sexually abused children’s are female, in which 76.7% of them are b/n age 13-18yrs. The mean age of sexually abused children is 14 years and the minimum age is 2 years old. 87.7% sexually abused children do not know their perpetrators, and 10.3% sexually abused in group cohesion. All perpetrators are male sex, age regimen 18-35 years high score for which 8% of them had recognized physical or mental disability. Cousin score 47.6% of the total number of perpetrators who sexually abuses children by family members. 18.6% and 25% of perpetrators consume alcohol and multi drug in their daily life respectively in which 0.3% of them had identified repeated child sexual abuse in their past life. Based on the study finding factors for child and perpetrators risk factors in child sexual abuse in the study area needs collaborative hierarchal response.