Digital Repository

Study on victims of child abuse: A study conducted in two teaching hospitals in Sri Lanka

Show simple item record

dc.contributor.author Dharmadasa, L.S.
dc.contributor.author Kitulwatte, I.D.G.
dc.contributor.author Priyanath, D.C.
dc.contributor.author Gunathilaka, M. A.C.
dc.contributor.author Silva, L.S.K.D.
dc.contributor.author Kumari, M.K.J.K.
dc.date.accessioned 2022-01-13T04:15:17Z
dc.date.available 2022-01-13T04:15:17Z
dc.date.issued 2021
dc.identifier.citation Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka.2021;9(2):1–6 en_US
dc.identifier.issn 2012-5887
dc.identifier.uri http://repository.kln.ac.lk/handle/123456789/24328
dc.description.abstract INTRODUCTION: Child abuse is a global public health problem and proper intervention strategies need a greater understanding of risk factors that can contribute to it. This study was conducted in order to identify the undetected contributory factors that lead to child abuse cases. METHODOLOGY: All children (less than 18 years of age) who were brought for medico legal examination with alleged abuse to two reputed teaching hospitals during a period of 1 and ½ years were included. Required details were obtained through an interviewer administered questionnaire after obtaining the consent. RESULTS: Out of the 186 children, more than 80% presented following sexual abuse and the majority (n=173) were females. Further, n=118 (75%) of the victims of child sexual abuse were between the age group of 13 to 15 years. Moreover, 75% of the victims of sexual abuse were from low income families. Parents of 100% of the victims of physical abuse and 60% of the victims of sexual abuse had educational qualifications below ordinary level. 82% of the victims of physical abuse were having dysfunctional family background, specially use of ethanol by parents (65%). Parental separation was the form of family dysfunction that was associated with sexual abuse. Conclusion: Poor income, poor parental education and dysfunctional family background could be identified as predisposing factors for child abuse. However, the association of these factors vary with different types of child abuse, thus preventive strategies should be planned accordingly. en_US
dc.language.iso en en_US
dc.publisher College of Forensic Pathologists of Sri Lanka en_US
dc.subject Child abuse en_US
dc.subject Sexual abuse en_US
dc.subject Low income en_US
dc.title Study on victims of child abuse: A study conducted in two teaching hospitals in Sri Lanka en_US
dc.type Article en_US


Files in this item

This item appears in the following Collection(s)

Show simple item record

Search Digital Repository


Browse

My Account