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Cited by 215Child Abuse and TraumaSexual Assault and Victimization StudiesMilitary, Security, and Education Studies

A study of potential risk factors for sexual abuse in childhood

Fleming, Jillian, Mullen, Paul, Bammer, Gabriele·1997·Child Abuse & Neglect
DOI 10.1016/s0145-2134(96)00126-3
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Abstract

Research aimed at identifying risk factors for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is crucial for the development of preventative strategies. This study examined the relationship between a number of possible risk factors and CSA in a community sample of women using multivariate analysis and carefully operationalized variables. The variables significantly associated with CSA were physical abuse, having a mother who was mentally ill, not having someone to confide in, and being socially isolated. With the exception of physical abuse, different predictors emerged for abuse before and after age 12. Social isolation and experiencing the death of a mother were significant predictors for abuse before age 12, while the predictors of CSA after age 12 were physical abuse and a mentally ill mother. For abuse perpetrated by a family member, the significant predictors of CSA were physical abuse, having no one to confide in, having no caring female adult, and having an alcoholic father. For girls abused by someone outside of the family, the significant predictors were physical abuse, social isolation, mother's death, and having an alcoholic mother. While CSA can happen to any child, this study highlights circumstances that may increase the chances of abuse and should form the basis of prevention and intervention strategies.

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Authors
Fleming, J., Mullen, P., & Bammer, G.
Affiliations
  • Australian National University (AU)
  • Monash University (AU)
Corresponding author
Fleming, Jillian
ORCID
Bammer, Gabriele
Venue
Child Abuse & Neglect
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
1997-01
Volume
21
Issue
1
Pages
49-58
ISSN
0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/s0145-2134(96)00126-3
OpenAlex
W1967368791
Cited by
215
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 23 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 8 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 11 · 2013: 7 · 2012: 7
FWCI
6.85
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
www.elsevier.com/tdm/userlicense/1.0/ (tdm)
Locations
  • Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • ANU Open Research (Australian National University) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
  • Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Military, Security, and Education Studies
Keywords
child sexual abuse, risk factors, physical abuse, maternal mental illness, social isolation, mother's death, maternal alcoholism, paternal alcoholism, abuse prevention, women survivors, intimate partner violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence screening
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Alcoholism, Australia, Child, Child Abuse, Child Abuse, Sexual, Female, Humans, Male, Maternal Deprivation, Social Isolation, Child of Impaired Parents

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