Child Abuse and Domestic Violence in Families of Children Seen for Suspected Sexual Abuse

Abstract

We surveyed families of children seen in a sexual abuse evaluation clinic regarding domestic violence in the child's home and physical and sexual abuse during childhood among the mothers. Domestic violence occurred in 54% (216/402) of the children's homes; 28% (111/392) of mothers reported childhood physical abuse, and 42% (167/395) reported sexual abuse. There were no differences in the rates of domestic violence (X2=0.42, 2df, p=0.8), maternal physical abuse (X2=2.40, 2df, p=0.3), or maternal sexual abuse (X2=2.11, 2df, p=0.3) based on whether our current patient was at high, medium, or low risk for having actually experienced sexual abuse. Neither domestic violence in the child's home nor the mother's childhood experience of abuse was increased if the child's perpetrator was a relative or lived in the home. Domestic violence in the child's home was more frequent if the mother had experienced physical abuse during childhood (65%, 70/107) than if she had not (48%, 130/271; X2=8.69, p<0.01). Child sexual abuse is part of a global pattern of victimization, and clinicians must address other forms of family violence when evaluating a child for allegations of sexual abuse.