PREVALENCE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN GENEVA - RESULTS OF A CROSS-SECTIONAL SURVEY

Objective-To measure the cumulative prevalence of child sexual abuse i n a representative sample of the adolescent population of Geneva. Desi gn-Cross sectional survey with an anonymous self administered question naire centred on a factual description of sexual activities. Setting-6 8 classes (17 schools) randomly selected from the 201 ninth grade clas ses of the public school system in Geneva. Subjects-1193 adolescents a ged 13-17 years, of whom 1116 (93.5%; 568 girls, 548 boys) consented t o the study and returned completed questionnaires. Results-192 (33.8%) girls and 60 (10.9%) boys reported having experienced at least one se xually abusive event. The prevalence of abuse involving physical conta ct was 20.4% (116 cases) among girls and 3.3% (18) among boys, The pre valence of abuse involving some form of penetration was 5.6% (32 cases ) among girls and 1.1% (six) among boys. One third of the abused adole scents had experienced more than one abusive event and 46.5% (92/198) had experienced the first event before age 12. Abuse by a family membe r was reported by 20.5% (36/176) of abused girls and 6.3% (3/48) of ab used boys. Abusers were known to victims in two thirds of cases. Ninet y per cent of abusers were male and 35.3% (71/201) came from the victi ms' peer group. Over 80% of participants found the questionnaire inter esting, clearly formulated, and useful. Conclusions-Child sexual abuse is a universal social phenomenon. Adolescents themselves can contribu te to research and so help in the search for more efficient prevention and intervention strategies.