Prevalence of child sexual abuse among adolescents in Geneva: results of a cross sectional survey

Abstract Objective : To measure the cumulative prevalence of child sexual abuse in a representative sample of the adolescent population of Geneva. Design : Cross sectional survey with an anonymous self administered questionnaire centred on a factual description of sexual activities. Setting : 68 classes (17 schools) randomly selected from the 201 ninth grade classes of the public school system in Geneva. Subjects : 1193 adolescents aged 13-17 years, of whom 1116 (93.5%; 568 girls, 548 boys) consented to the study and returned completed questionnaires. Results : 192 (33.8%) girls and 60 (10.9%) boys reported having experienced at least one sexually abusive event. The prevalence of abuse involving physical contact was 20.4% (116 cases) among girls and 3.3% (18) among boys. The prevalence 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 adolescents had experienced more than one abusive event and 46.5% (92/198) had experienced the first event before age 12. Abuse by a family member was reported by 20.5% (36/176) of abused girls and 6.3% (3/48) of abused boys. Abusers were known to victims in two thirds of cases. Ninety per cent of abusers were male and 35.3% (71/201) came from the victims9 peer group. Over 80% of participants found the questionnaire interesting, clearly formulated, and useful. Conclusions : Child sexual abuse is a universal social phenomenon. Adolescents themselves can contribute to research and so help in the search for more efficient prevention and intervention strategies. Key messages The prevalence of sexual abuse involving physical contact was 20.4% among girls and 3.3% among boys; the prevalence of abuse involving some form of penetration was 5.6% among girls and 1.1% among boys Half of the children reporting sexual abuse expe- rienced the first event before the age of 12; in one third of cases the abuser was an adolescent Lengthy preparation resulting in ethical approval, firm political and administrative backing, and a complex operational partnership with schools were prerequisites for a study that confronted adolescents with a sensitive topic The responsible participation of the adolescents indicated that they could provide useful collabora- tion in epidemiological research in a topic of con- cern to them