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Epidemioclinical Profile of Children Victims of Sexual Abuse Attending a Child Psychiatry Service

Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Child sexual abuse represents a major public health issue, associated with severe and long-term psychological consequences such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and behavioral problems. In Morocco, this phenomenon remains largely underreported despite its concerning prevalence. The present retrospective descriptive study aimed to establish the epidemioclinical profile of children and adolescents referred for suspected or confirmed sexual abuse at the Child Psychiatry Department of Ar-Razi University Hospital in Salé between January 2021 and January 2025. A total of 55 medical records were reviewed using a standardized questionnaire collecting sociodemographic data, abuse characteristics, circumstances of disclosure, and clinical manifestations. The sample included 28 boys (50.9%) and 27 girls (49.1%), most aged between 12 and 15 years. Socioeconomic vulnerability was prominent, with 80% of mothers unemployed and 30.9% of fathers jobless, and family conflict or violence reported in more than half of the cases. The aggressor was most often male (98.2%), commonly a neighbor (30.9%). Multiple abuses were reported in 58.2% of victims, with touching (61.8%) and anal penetration (41.8%) being the most frequent acts. Disclosure occurred immediately after the events in 34.5% of cases but could be delayed for years. Post-traumatic stress disorder was the predominant psychiatric outcome (70.9%), followed by depression (45.5%) and anxiety (16.4%). Academic decline was observed in 78.2% of victims. This study highlights the severe mental health and functional consequences of child sexual abuse and underlines the role of family vulnerabilities in aggravating outcomes. Findings emphasize the urgent need for comprehensive and multidisciplinary interventions combining mental health care, family support, and school-health collaboration to promote recovery and safeguard the development of affected children.
DOI: 10.36347/sasjm.2025.v11i09.019
Language: English
Field: Psychology
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414560959
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