Sexual abuse experience among late adolescents in Sri Lanka: The role of gender and family-income

Objectives: Child sexual abuse is a serious and a common public health problem worldwide. There are limited epidemiological data pertaining to child sexual abuse in Sri Lanka, and this study sought to explore the role of gender and family-income as risk factors for child sexual abuse in a coastal district severely affected by the 2004 tsunami disaster. Methods: A sample of 971(about 6% of the target population) high school children (376 (38.7%) males and 595 (61.3%) females), aged 18-19, were surveyed using a self-report, anonymous questionnaire in the local language. Respondents' experience of sexual abuse was assessed using 4 questions. Results: A higher percentage of females (17.5% (n=104)) compared to males (16.5% (n=62)) reported that they had been subjected to some form of sexual abuse at least once during their life time. Thirteen (24.1%) upper-income, 39 (18.7%) middle-income, and 47 (17.0%) lower–income adolescents men reported that they had been sexually abused. Corresponding figures for adolescent women were 5 (21.7%), 32 (19.4%), and 23 (13.7%). Discussion: Sexual abuse of children is a serious public health issue in Sri Lanka. Although we did not find any significant differences, there seems to be a pattern of gradually increasing prevalence of sexual abuse with increasing family-income in both male and female adolescents. This finding may be due to selective reporting. Longitudinal and qualitative research is needed to better understand the nature and long-term effects of sexual abuse of children in the country.