An Exploratory Study of Victim Resistance in Child Sexual Abuse: Offender Modus Operandi and Victim Characteristics

Child sexual abuse is typically studied using reports from the offender and in Western countries. The aim of the present study was to investigate pre- and post-abuse strategies of persons convicted of a sexual offense to children in Turkey using the statements made by the child victims and to frame the results using rational choice theory. A qualitative study was made for the themes in the police statements from 46 children who were victims of child sexual abuse. The content analysis revealed that persons convicted of a sexual offense to children differ in terms of their methods to approach children and in their pre- and post-abuse behaviors depending on their relationship with the victim. A total of 85 percent of the offenses were extra-familial and 15 percent within the family. Only 21 percent of the extra-familial offenses were opportunist; most involved bribes and introductions through friends or intermediaries. Two tactics unique to Turkey were promises of marriage and the use of children as intermediaries. The use of force and blackmail was more common in the intra-familial offenses. The results of the qualitative analysis were, on the whole, consistent with results from persons convicted of a sexual offense to children’s statements, but some of the tactics used by offenders in Turkey were unique to Turkish culture.

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Perpetrator coercion, victim resistance and respondent gender: their impact on blame attributions in a hypothetical child sexual abuse case

Journal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research ◽

10.5042/jacpr.2010.0334 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 25-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Paul Rogers ◽

Michelle Davies ◽

Lisa Cottam

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Child Sexual Abuse ◽

Blame Attributions ◽

Abuse Case ◽

Sexual Abuse Case ◽

Victim Resistance

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Student teachers' learning about child sexual abuse strategies for primary school: an exploratory study of surface and deep learning

Sex Education ◽

10.1080/1468181042000301902 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 79-92 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Juliette D. G. Goldman

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Deep Learning ◽

Child Sexual Abuse ◽

Primary School ◽

Student Teachers ◽

Exploratory Study

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Culture and Nondisclosure of Child Sexual Abuse in Ghana: A Theoretical and Empirical Exploration

Law & Social Inquiry ◽

10.1111/j.1747-4469.2009.01170.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 34 (04) ◽

pp. 951-979 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

Kofi E. Boakye

Keyword(s):

Sexual Abuse ◽

Child Abuse ◽

Child Sexual Abuse ◽

Exploratory Study ◽

Cultural Factors ◽

Rape Myth Acceptance ◽

Rape Myth ◽

Limited Success ◽

Child Rape ◽

Myth Acceptance

The phenomenon of child sexual abuse has been widely acknowledged across many societies, including Ghana. Efforts to address this problem in Ghana have yielded limited success because this type of child abuse is severely underreported. This study explores the relevance of three cultural factors, namely, patriarchal nuances, (child) rape myth acceptance, and a “collective shame problem,” to the understanding of the problem of nondisclosure of child sexual abuse in Ghana. Evidence from an exploratory study provides support for the importance of these factors. The findings are discussed and the need for further research highlighted.

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