Abstract: prevention of child sexual abuse can be achieved by identifying the symptoms and causes of abuse. The aims of this study were:
1. To describe the demographic characteristics of the participants included in the study.
2. To look at a difference in perceived symptoms and cause of abuse according to participant’s culture (Collectivist: Arabic and Indian and Individualist from several different Western countries).
Methods: A three culture: Arabic, Indian and Western by two gender of the child: male, female by two genders of participant: male, female design was used. Twenty-eight item questionnaires from a specially designed vignette were completed by 201 participants (104 Arabic, 57 Indian and 40 Western).
Results: The major finding of the study showed that the respondents were 201 (67.0%) out of 300. Among them, 104 (51.7%), 57 (28.4%) and 40(19.9%) subjects were Arabic, Indian and Western respectively. The mean age being 35.5 years, was largely male (Male 120: Female 81), married with 1-3 children, and with a bachelor degree qualification. Majority were with 1-5 years’ of work experience. There was no significant difference according to culture regarding perceived symptoms and cause of abuse.
Conclusions: An unfair allegation of abuse is a grave risk if reporting is done too readily or with little proof, but an unassisted victim of abuse is also unacceptable. Great understanding and care is needed in trying to detect honest cases by identifying the symptoms and causes of abuse, therefore, a wider preventive method is reached.
Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse, Professionals’ Perceptions, Symptoms, Causes.
Title: Professionals' Perceptions of Child Sexual Abuse: Symptoms and Causes in Different Cultures
Author: Samia Abul
International Journal of Life Sciences Research
ISSN 2348-3148 (online), ISSN 2348-313X (Print)
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