The prevalence, nature, and impact of intrafamilial child sexual abuse: findings from a rapid evidence assessment

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to report on the findings from a study commissioned by the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) in England, concerning intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA)/incest. Specifically, it aims to explore what is known about the prevalence, nature, and impact of IFCSA and where the gaps in knowledge lie.Design/methodology/approach -A rapid evidence assessment (REA) was used, the function of which is to: search the literature as comprehensively as possible within given time constraints; collate descriptive outlines of the available evidence on a topic and critically appraise it; sift out studies of poor quality; and provide an overview of the evidence. Over 57,000 documents were scanned, and 296 ultimately systematically analysed.Findings -It was found that: there is wide variation in prevalence rates between studies; girls are more likely to be victims than boys; the onset of abuse is typically school age; abuse in minority groups is underreported; sibling abuse may be more common than that by fathers; female perpetrated abuse may be under-reported; families where abuse occurs are often dysfunctional; and IFCSA has significant adverse effects on victims.Research limitations/implications -A REA is not a full systematic review, differing in the scope and depth of the searches and depending almost exclusively on electronic databases, not accompanied by searching journals by hand.Practical implications -This work found numerous gaps in current knowledge about IFCSA, which the authors recommend be addressed by further research, including: the scale and nature of IFCSA in disabled victims, research on BME children's experiences; the prevalence of abuse by stepfathers as compared to biological fathers; the experiences of male victims; the experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered child victims; the short-term impact of IFCSA based on child victims' experiences; and more widely, further research on the prevalence of abuse in clinical populations and the relationship between that and prevalence in wider society. In addition to such questions, the OCC inquiry will also investigate issues surrounding child protection and criminal justice responses to (IF)CSA and how these might be improved. The evidence base for this section of the inquiry is reported in Gekoski et al. (2016).Originality/value -The findings of this research provide the evidence base for a new twoyear inquiry into the subject of IFCSA by the OCC.

Abuse Characteristics, Multiple Victimisation and Resilience among Young Adult Males with Histories of Childhood Sexual Abuse

“…involving the use or threat of force) (Dube et al ., ), as well as extra‐familial abuse (Cutajar et al ., ). In contrast, it would seem that females are less likely to experience penetration (Dube et al ., ) and more likely to experience sexual abuse by a family member (Gekoski et al ., ). Our findings are also consistent with past research in showing that male CSA disclosures are often met with a negative reaction (Sorsoli et al ., ).…”

“I Love and Hate Him in the Same Breath”: Relationships of Adult Survivors of Sexual Abuse With Their Perpetrating Siblings

“…Note, however, that although this study highlighted the characteristics and dynamics of SSA, many of them are similar to those of child sexual abuse by other family members. These include ambivalence toward the perpetrator, the abuse dynamics, avoidance of and difficulty in the disclosure process, and the complex family relationships during and after the termination of the abuse (e.g., Gekoski, Davidson, & Horvath, 2016; Lev-Wiesel, 2015; Paige & Thornton, 2015; Tener, 2010; A. J. Thompson, 2017).…”

How does COVID-19 impact intrafamilial child sexual abuse? Comparison analysis of reports by practitioners in Israel and the US

“…Though prevalence rates vary widely, IFCSA is considered one of the most common forms of child sexual abuse (CSA), with particularly severe short- and long-term consequences ( Finkelhor, 2012 ; Gekoski, Davidson, & Horvath, 2016 ). Victimization rates of IFCSA are variously estimated as high as 3-17% of males and 8-31% of females ( Barth, Bermetz, Heim, Trelle, & Tonia, 2013 ).…”

“…Victimization rates of IFCSA are variously estimated as high as 3-17% of males and 8-31% of females ( Barth, Bermetz, Heim, Trelle, & Tonia, 2013 ). Yet, disclosure of IFCSA is a significant barrier to establishing the real extent of CSA since many of the survivors will not disclose the abuse, often for long periods of time, or never ( Gekoski et al, 2016 ). A portion of IFCSA cases can be considered problematic sexual behavior (PSB), which is defined as behaviors involving sexual body parts that are developmentally inappropriate or potentially harmful to the child with PSB or others ( Swisher, Silovsky, Stuart, & Pierce, 2008 ).…”