NCJ Number
176175
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 23 Issue: 2 Dated: January 1999 Pages: 45-60
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the prevalence of child sexual abuse among African American and European American women in Los Angeles County and circumstances of the incidents.
Abstract
Stratified probability sampling was used to recruit comparable samples of African American and European American women for a larger study of women's sexual decision-making. Information on incidents of contact abuse was obtained from women between 18 and 36 years of age in 1994 and were compared to women with those demographic characteristics from a comparable 1984 data set. Abuse prevalence, victim characteristics, assault, alleged perpetrators, disclosure, and long-term effects were assessed by ethnic group affiliation. Of the total sample, 34 percent reported at least one incident prior to 18 years of age. Ethnic differences were found with respect to prevalence, abuse location, and number of rape incidents. While comparisons made with the 1984 data set revealed no significant differences in prevalence rates over the 10-year period, changes in abuse circumstances were noted. Although the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Los Angeles County remained fairly stable, several abuse circumstances changed. Differences in characteristics of abuse are discussed in relation to how sexual abuse among ethnically diverse samples in Los Angeles County has changed over a decade and how these differences can help tailor prevention messages to different communities. Findings support the notion that large community samples are needed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and circumstances of reported child sexual abuse incidents. 36 references, 6 tables, and 2 figures