Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Child Sexual Abuse Reported to an Urban Public Hospital in Southern...

To describe the profile of child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to a tertiary care hospital.

A retrospective analysis of CSA reported in children aged below 18 years from January, 2019 to June, 2022.

Out of the 231 cases of sexual abuse reported, 115 (49.8%) were children below 18 years. Most of the victims were children from 10 to 15 years (37.4%), and there were only two male victims. In 89.6%, the perpetrator was known to the victim. Revictimization was seen in 31%. The reported perpetrators were friends (27%), neighbors (34.8%), strangers (10.4%), or fathers (7.8%). Penetrative abuse was seen in 58.3% of reports. External injuries were seen in 6.96%. Eight victims were pregnant and HIV screening was positive in one victim.

Early identification of CSA is important to prevent revictimization. Children from all age groups can be victims of CSA. Perpetrators can hail from all walks of life of the children.