The Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on Child Sexual Abuse: A Comparative Analysis

Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant changes in child maltreatment patterns, particularly due to lockdown measures and the transition to remote education. Despite the heightened risk, reports paradoxically indicate a decline in referrals and notifications related to child abuse during this period. This study seeks to contribute to the literature by assessing the impact of the pandemic on child sexual abuse cases in Turkey, a developing country, through a comparative analysis of pre-pandemic and pandemic-era data. A retrospective analysis was conducted on forensic reports and case records of individuals under the age of 18 who were referred by judicial authorities to forensic medicine units under allegations of sexual abuse. The study encompassed two distinct periods: the pre-pandemic phase (March 2018-August 2019) and the pandemic-related lockdown phase (March 2020-August 2021). Cases from the pandemic period were statistically compared with pre-pandemic cases using SPSS version 27.0. Of the analyzed cases, 63.6% (n = 232) were reported pre-pandemic, whereas 36.4% (n = 133) were reported during the pandemic. A significant increase was observed in victims under 12 years old, whereas cases involving older adolescents (15-17 years) declined (p < .05). Additionally, reports from mandated reporters decreased significantly, while parental reporting increased (p < .05). These findings underscore the necessity of strengthening child protection mechanisms, particularly during crises, to prevent underreporting and ensure timely interventions in future public health emergencies.