Polyvictimization among Children and Adolescents in India: A Scoping Review of Prevalence, Consequences, and Risk...

Polyvictimization, defined as the experience of multiple forms of victimization such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, neglect, bullying, and exposure to violence, is a significant but underexplored concern in India. This scoping review set out to map the existing literature on polyvictimization among children and adolescents, with a focus on prevalence, psychological and social consequences, and contextual risk factors. Studies published between 2000 and 2025 were included if they involved Indian participants aged 0-18 years and addressed more than one type of victimization. The framework given by Arksey and O'Malley (2005) was adhered to for the review. Twenty-three studies were included in the review, highlighting that children were often subjected to overlapping victimizations rather than single instances, with emotional and physical abuse most common, alongside neglect, sexual abuse, and bullying. These experiences were consistently linked to depression, anxiety, PTSD, behavioral problems, and poor social functioning, with risks heightened by gender, poverty, family conflict, and institutional settings. Overall, the findings show that polyvictimization is prevalent yet seldom studied as a distinct concept in India, underscoring the need for nationally representative research, clearer definitions, and integrated child protection policies that address the cumulative impact of multiple victimizations.