Are families careless or abusers more responsible for the increase in child abuse?
The statistical results of the General Directorate of Judicial Registry Statistics for 2012 have been announced. According to the statistics, 91 thousand 979 cases of "crimes against sexual inviolability" were referred to judicial authorities last year. Lawsuits were filed against 50 thousand 483 of them. Of these cases, 33 thousand 992 cases were recorded as sexual abuse of children and 14 thousand 164 cases were recorded as intercourse with a minor. According to official data, child abuse has reached serious dimensions. We asked experts: "Are families careless or abusers more likely to abuse children?"
Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat TARHAN:
'The perception of privacy should be taught to children' In 70-80 percent of child abuse cases, the first-degree relatives of the children are guilty. One of the reasons for this is that children are not taught the perception of privacy. In other words, children should be taught that "no one should touch their private body areas without permission", but this should be done without making sexual connotations. Children should not sleep with anyone else, even their parents, after the age of 1. Families should be careful not to leave their children in the same environment with older family members such as older brothers and uncles who are addicted to alcohol or drugs or who are prone to crime. The child should be given a definition of good and bad.
Child Adolescent Psychiatrist Assist. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nüket İŞİTEN:
'People's awareness has increased' In order for the family to protect their child, they should make speeches to protect their own body integrity. It is necessary to educate the child about the anxiety that it is not possible to touch and look at the private areas, which we call the swimsuit area, without his/her permission, without fear. The child should be reassured that "You are valuable to us, whatever happens, you must share it with us". The rates of child abuse have not increased, only people's awareness has increased. Most of the time these cases were hidden because of "shame", if they could be told more easily, this number would increase even more. The long legal process also affects families badly. HABERTÜRK