The study of familial history and associated risks of sexually abused children at Ramathibodi Hospital

Background: Nowadays, the incidence of sexual abuse in children is increasing especially in Thailand and the ASEAN countries. However, the study of risk factors in family history is limited.

Objective: Assess the significant family background and family history risks of sexually abused children.

Material and Method: This retrospective cross-sectional study used standard questionnaires to collect the general information of children who were sexually abused victims and explore their family history at the Parenting and Family Support Clinic, Department of Pediatrics, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University between 2011 and 2013.

Results: The majority of sexually abused children were aged 13 to 15 years (33 cases, 66%). Twelve children (24%) had underlying substances abuse and mood disorder in parental history, eleven (22%) had fathers with alcoholism problem, nine (18%) had mothers with mood disorder, and eight (16%) had both underlying conditions. There were 41 single families (82%). Twenty-nine cases (58%) had conflicting relationship between their parents. The significant risk factors such as baseline children’s behaviors, abusers, family status, violent history in family background, underlying substances abused or mood disorder, and baseline relationships in family were studied to develop a decision matrix to see when urgent separation to save the child from sexually abuse event is required. The logistic regression was analyzed and demonstrated that parental physical violent history and age group 8 to 12 years were higher odds ratio 19.0 (95% CI: 2.62-137.52, p-value = 0.004), and 19.2 (95% CI: 2.15-171.82, p-value = 0.002) when compared to other groups.

Conclusion: Basic familial problems were commonly found in sexually abused children. Some of these factors are significant and can be applied as guidance for safety separation protocol for child safety in case of a sexually abused event.