Exploring Gender Differences in Child Sexual Abuse: Evidence from Adolescents in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is one of the severest forms of abuse in humanity due to its lasting effect on the child. The perpetrators are usually close acquaintances of the victims. This study aims to analyse the gender difference in the pattern of CSA among adolescents in Port Harcourt. Method: A cross-sectional study was done among adolescents in 4 secondary schools in Port Harcourt. Multi-staged sampling method was employed. The CSA questionnaire was used as the study tool. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Port Harcourt Research and Ethics Committee. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25 Result: A total of 600 adolescent males and females aged 10 to 17 years participated in the study. The mean age was 13.25 ± 2.11 years, 340 (56.7%) of them were males. Of the 600 participants, 68 (11.3%) reported that they had experienced CSA. More males, (12.7%), than females, (9.6%), were victims of CSA. Male (90.7%) victims were abused before the age of 15 years, compared to (68.0%) the female victims. While more male victims, compared to females, experienced multiple episodes of abuse that lasted for years. Male victims experienced all forms of CSA more than the females. Thirty eight (55.9%) of the perpetrators were adult males, while females were more likely to abuse male victims. Only 5(7.4%) of the victims disclosed their abuse. More female victims, 4 (16.0%), compared to 1 (2.3%) male victim, disclosed their abuse; this gender difference was significant (x2=4.28, p=0.04). Conclusion: CSA is still prevalent in our society with a significant gender difference. Adolescent males are common victims, disclosure rate is poor, with more girls likely to disclose their abuse. Most perpetrators are male relatives, with more female perpetrators abusing the male child. Implementing gender sensitive prevention and intervention programs that actively engage both children and parents to reduce the occurrence is needed.