Citation

Magalhães T, Taveira F, Jardim P, Santos L, Matos E, Santos A. J. Forensic Leg. Med. 2009; 16(8): 455-459.

Affiliation

National Institute of Legal Medicine, North Branch, Porto, Portugal. tmaga@med.up.pt

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jflm.2009.05.007

PMID

19782315

Abstract

The existing data suggest that individuals experiencing intra-familial abuse are affected more significantly than those experiencing extra-familial abuse. This study aims to identify possible differences between these types of abuse. A retrospective study was performed based on medico-legal reports related to children suspected of being sexually abused (n=1054). The results revealed that 40.2% of the suspected abuses were intra-familial and were significantly different than extra-familial cases with respect to the following: (a) the complainants were younger; (b) their relationship to the alleged abuser was closer; (c) the alleged abusers had higher rates of previous sexual abuse; (d) the suspected abuses were less intrusive physically; (e) there was less physical but more psychological violence; (f) the delay between the last abuse and the medico-legal examination was greater; and (g) there were fewer physical signs and DNA evidence (none in the great majority of cases). These results highlight aspects of intra-familial abuse that have been identified as factors influencing the severity of its consequences - physically, these instances of abuse were less intrusive but psychologically they were more intrusive than extra-familial abuse. This justifies the use of different strategies in the diagnosis and support for victims within the family.

Language: en