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A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on Factors Related to Child Sexual Abuse and Rape Myths
Inês Chim1, Cláudia Camilo1, Nélio Brazão2
1Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Cis-Iscte, Lisbon, Portugal.
Trauma, Violence & Abuse
|April 30, 2026
Summary
Understanding factors behind sexual violence myths is crucial. Beliefs and attitudes, particularly those involving aggression and dominance, most strongly predict endorsement of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and rape myths (RM).
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Criminology
- Sociology
Background:
- Endorsement of myths surrounding sexual violence, its victims, and perpetrators can negatively impact victim well-being.
- Understanding the factors contributing to the acceptance of these myths is essential for developing effective interventions.
- No prior systematic review or meta-analysis has comprehensively examined factors associated with both child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and rape myths (RM).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the factors associated with the endorsement of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) myths.
- To systematically review and meta-analyze the factors associated with the endorsement of rape myths (RM).
- To address the identified gap in the literature by providing a combined analysis of CSAM and RM myth endorsement.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search was conducted across eight databases, adhering to the PRISMA statement.
- Data from 187 included articles were meta-analyzed, encompassing 75 effect sizes for CSAM (1992-2024) and 763 for RM (1980-2024).
- Factors were categorized into Sociodemographic, Beliefs and Attitudes, Individual Functioning, and Socio-contextual domains.
Main Results:
- Beliefs and attitudes, particularly those related to sexual aggression, acceptance of violence, and gender dominance, showed the largest effect sizes for both CSAM and RM endorsement.
- Being male and lower educational attainment were associated with higher endorsement of both CSAM and RM, with small effect sizes.
- Individual factors (e.g., aggressive behaviors, empathy) and socio-contextual factors (e.g., peer norms) demonstrated moderate associations with RM endorsement.
Conclusions:
- Maladaptive beliefs and attitudes are key drivers in the endorsement of sexual violence myths.
- Interventions should focus on modifying these beliefs and attitudes, alongside cultivating empathy.
- Addressing individual and socio-contextual factors can further aid in reducing the acceptance of sexual violence myths.
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