Objective: The present study aims to identify sociodemographic and abuse-related characteristics of sexual abuse survivors examined by the Physical and Mental Health Board of Dicle University.
Methods: As part of this study, 231 cases at and under the age of 18 years examined by the Physical and Mental Health Board of Dicle University’s Medical Faculty between February 15, 2012 and December 31, 2013 were evaluated in terms of age, gender, mother’s age, father’s age, number of siblings, accused’s age, abuse survivor’s relationship with abuser, place where sexual abuse occurred, survivor’s address, family structure, parents’ educational background, survivor’s intelligence level, presence of penetration, type of penetration, and report issued.
Results: Out of 231 cases referred to the board, 165 (71.4%) were girls and 66 (28.6%) were boys. The average age of the cases was 12.9±3.4 years. Regarding their family structures, the parents of 185 cases (80.1%) were alive and not divorced. Two hundred fourteen mothers (92.8%) and 172 fathers (73.3%) had received primary school education or below. One hundred ten cases (47.6%) involved penetration. The most frequent type of penetration that was identified in 62 cases (57%) was anal penetration. The most frequent diagnosis was Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Among the cases for which a final report was issued, 86 cases (56.6%) did not experience the impairment of mental health, 33 cases (21.7%) were affected mentally but did not experience the impairment of mental health, and 33 cases (21.7%) experienced the impairment of mental health.
Conclusion: The current study suggested, in line with the results of similar studies in the relevant literature, that the survivors were mostly girls, the number of siblings was high, and both parents had very low educational levels. Nearly half of the cases involved penetration with the most frequent type being anal penetration. The sexual abuse survivors were mostly diagnosed with PTSD. The survivors usually came from families with low socio-economic and cultural levels. The study argues that a higher level of development in the society in general will help lessen abuse rates, particularly domestic abuse.