Childhood sexual assaults in Central Hospital, Benin City, Edo State

Jude Obiorah Uchendu, Delta State University
Benedict Nworgu, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA is a serious societal ill that is highly underreported despite its serious adverse effects on its victims. The study seeks to evaluate the frequency of CSA in Benin City, and to determine the socio-dermographic parameters of the victims and perpetrators. This is a prospective study documented over a seven month period using semi structured questionnaire. Results were analyzed using SPSS version 16. A total of 80 cases of CSA with an average of 11.4 was reported per month. The mean age of the victims was 10.8 yrs. Females were affected in 97.5% of cases. Thirty one of the victims are secondary school pupils and 16 (20%) of them are preschool children. Perpetrators (21-25yrs) commonly used force and manipulations. Only 33.8% of cases reported within 24 hrs of abuse. CSA is common in Benin City and only a few present early to the hospital for evaluation.