Abstract

WILSON, Carolina Puyol  and  CHAUD, María Isabel Salinas. Child sexual abuse: an approach to victims who are molested by other minors. Salud & Sociedad [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.3, pp. 266-282. ISSN 0718-7475.

This study explores the characteristics of abusive dynamics and the vulnerability of child and adolescent victims of sexual aggressions which have been committed by other minors. The research was conducted from a qualitative paradigm using the methodology of content analysis of documents. These documents were 76 reports of both criminal forensic and psychological evaluations of victims, both those reporting crimes and those under legal protection due to earlier crimes. These reports were taken at a walk-in diagnosis center in Santiago, Chile. The results show no abusive dynamics between attacker and victim without a previously existing relationship. Neither was it possible to verify existence of offenders of lesser age and/or evolutionary development that their victims. Characteristically, the aggressor was an adolescent and the victim a child. These findings support the importance of vulnerability in the victim as a factor which facilitates the asymmetry of power between aggressor and victim. Additionally, the nature of the relationship between the victim and his/her attacker will determinate characteristics of the upcoming abusive dynamics.

Keywords : Sexual abuse; sexual abuse dynamics; vulnerability.

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