NCJ Number
100048
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (1984) Pages: 495-501
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
A systematic random sample of 2,000 adult Texas residents was surveyed to determine whether or not they had been abused as children.
Abstract
A return rate of 53 percent was obtained for the mailed questionnaires. The questionnaire defined child sexual abuse as sexual interaction between a child and an adult or between two minors when the perpetrator is significantly older than the victim or is in a position of power over the victim. The respondents varied from those in previous surveys of the same population in being slightly older, more often married, and of higher socioeconomic status. They were closely matched, however, on the variables of sex, race, and education. Childhood sexual victimization was reported by 7.4 percent of the respondents. Female victims comprised 82 percent of this group. The racial/ethnic distribution of victims paralleled that of the Texas census, with 77 percent white, 5 percent black, and 16 percent Hispanic. Victimization rates were highest for Hispanic females followed by black and white females in that order. Hispanic and black males reported the lowest victimization rates. Based on the findings, 821,359 adult Texas residents were estimated to have been sexually abused as children. Suggestions are offered for procedures in future similar studies. Tabular data and 18 references are provided. (Author abstract modified)