Parent-Child Communication and the Prevalence of Sexual Molestation among Adolescnts

Abstract

Sexual molestation is a complex life experience, not a disorder or diagnosis. The diversity of behaviours included in sexual abuse, along with differences in the age and gender of the child victim, the nature of the relationship between the child and the perpetrator or molesters or abusers, and the frequency and duration of the child abuse or child molestation. This study examined the prevalence and patterns of sexual molestation among adolescents’ students in Nigeria. Also investigated the influence of socio-demographic variables such as age, gender, and residential location on the prevalence of sexual molestation as well as their history with the aim of understanding how to resolve the problem associated with it. The Study design was Cross-sectional survey design. The University of Lagos, Akoka and Redeemer’s University Osun State, Southwestern Nigeria was the location of the study. The study population comprised of students in Redeemer’s University, Ede Osun-State and the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos. The 200 questionnaires were distributed randomly among students. The data derived through the administered questionnaire was analyzed using frequency, percentage and t-test. Results showed that over 20% of adolescents have experienced sexual molestation of one or the other, of it was also discovered that male respondents have a higher experience of sexual molestation than female respondents among adolescents (t= 1.02, df = 198, P>0.05). A large number of parents have discussions concerning sexual molestation with their children. The study also revealed that there is a significant difference between adolescents who live with their parents and those who do not on the experience of sexual molestation (t= 2.42, df = 198, P<0.05). Adolescents in Nigeria in experience one form of sexual molestation or the other. It was therefore recommended that Parents should be informed that male children are also prone to be sexually molested, In addition, attention should be paid to close relatives as living in same residence with adolescents does not automatically prevent sexual molestation.