Marta Ferragut

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of violence with important consequences in the victim’s life. It implies using a minor as a sexual object by someone in an unequal relationship. CSA prevalence is a complex phenomenon to measure, as it changes considerably between studies due to different methodologies or sample characteristics. This research aimed to conduct a meta-analysis of CSA prevalence in minor samples, examine its heterogeneity, and update the data of previous meta-analyses. The literature search was conducted in APA PsycINFO, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Dialnet, and ERIC Ebsco databases from 2010 to 2025. The variables coded included sample size, mean age, sex, type of perpetrator, perpetrator’s sex, country, year, data collection method, type of questionnaire and sample, response rate, type of prevalence, and CSA. Heterogeneity and moderator analyses were conducted only for mixed and intercourse CSA, as the number of studies to calculate pooled estimates for abuse with contact and non-contact was insufficient. A total of 28 studies were included with 75 units of analysis, separated by sex, boys and girls. The mean prevalence rates ranged from 3% to 10% for both sexes’ samples: 1% to 11% for the girls’ sample, and 3% to 10% for the boys’ sample. Heterogeneity was observed in all prevalence values. The CSA prevalence found was high, in both types of abuse. The reported prevalence of different types of abuse varies considerably between countries.

There is growing interest in understanding non-contact violence in the context of child sexual abuse (CSA). This study explores the characteristics of four types of non-contact CSA in a representative sample of the Spanish population. A sample of 1,071 Spanish adults (53% males; mean age 45.37 years) completed the Child Sexual Abuse Experiences Questionnaire. For each type of non-contact CSA experience, we analyzed the victim’s age at the time of the first incident, the frequency of occurrence, whether the perpetrator was the same individual (if multiple occurrences), the perpetrator’s gender, and the victim’s relationship to the perpetrator. Victim gender differences were examined for all variables. Some form of non-contact abuse had been experienced by 34.50% of the sample. Victims were most commonly aged between 12 and 15 years at the time of the first incident (37.6%), followed by ages 6–11 (31.7%). Over half of the victims (especially females) experienced abuse repeatedly. A significant proportion of those surveyed (55.7%) had been abused by different individuals, mainly males, although the percentage reporting a female perpetrator was higher among male victims. Perpetrators were most commonly an adult stranger or acquaintance, with gender differences emerging in cases where the perpetrator was another minor or someone in a position of responsibility, two scenarios that were more commonly reported by male victims. Non-contact CSA is becoming increasingly common in our connected society and shows specific characteristics that may differ across gender. These characteristics and differences are discussed in this research.

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence and characteristics of child sexual abuse (CSA) in Andalusia, Spain’s most populated region. A sample of 817 adults (281 male; M age = 34.7; SD = 13.86) completed the Child Sexual Abuse Experiences Questionnaire. Because the sample was unbalanced, we performed post-stratification by gender, resulting in 562 participants (50% male). Overall, 38.8% of the sample reported at least one type of contact abuse experience, with prevalence ranging from 22% for being fondled to 3.9% for being forced to perform a sexual act involving penetration. The first episode of CSA most commonly occurred between age 6 and 11 years, except for penetration. The majority of reported experiences were repeated and perpetrated by a male. More than half of the victims did not label their experience as sexual abuse, and this apparent lack of awareness about what constitutes abuse was particularly evident among male victims. The prevalence of CSA in Andalusia is higher than for Spain as a whole, highlighting the need to raise public awareness through prevention programs.

This paper presents an innovative methodology for the prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA): animated cartoons. CSA is a political, social, educational, and psychological problem that affects many children according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That is why prevention becomes an essential tool for the protection of children. Children are increasingly accustomed to the use of digital media, both for learning and for entertainment. In response to this evolution on how information is transmitted and according to the tradition that cartoons have always had of transmitting values such as friendship, ecology, or solidarity, a 15-minute long video was developed. This video is an animated cartoon, presenting a story. It is composed of music, six friends, and three fantasy characters, and it was designed for children to learn resources to ask for help in case they are suffering CSA. The video is accompanied by a workbook through which both children and adults reinforce what they have learned in the cartoons and learn additional keys for their protection. Data from the first pilot studies carried out to test the effectiveness of this methodology are also presented, with promising results.

There is empirical evidence that life satisfaction (LS) in adolescence is associated with adequate development and future well-being. Research into the factors underpinning LS can therefore help to promote healthier development of societies. The aim of this study was to extend knowledge about LS among adolescents in Ecuador, a Latin American country for which research on this topic is lacking. Specifically, we analyze the relationship between LS and character strengths, controlling for gender, age, socioeconomic status, and family structure. Participants were 659 adolescents (43.1% female) aged between 12 and 18 years who completed the Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale (SLSS) and the Values in Action Inventory of Strengths for Youth (VIA-Y). Their parents or legal guardians completed the Survey of Socioeconomic Stratification (SSES). Correlation analysis and regression modeling were performed. Results showed that LS was not related to age or socioeconomic status, but there was a significant association with gender and family structure, insofar as boys and adolescents living in intact families reported higher levels of LS. Overall, the majority of character strengths were positively related to LS. After eliminating overlap between strengths and controlling for sociodemographic variables, the strengths of hope, zest, love, and prudence significantly predicted LS. We discuss how these strengths, related to the cognitive component of well-being, may play a protective role against difficulties during adolescence. Character strengths-based interventions are proposed to promote healthy development in Ecuadorian adolescents.

The prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) is difficult to assess, and rates vary widely across studies due to methodological and sample differences. In Spain, prevalence data from representative samples are lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of different CSA experiences in a sample that was representative of the Spanish population in terms of gender, age, and region. The sample comprised 1,071 (539 male and 532 female) Spanish adults ( M _age = 45.37; SD = 14.84). Participants completed an anonymous online survey about different types of CSA and were asked whether they had disclosed the experience at the time. Prevalence was analyzed as a function of gender and generation. Results indicated prevalence rates ranging from 2.8% to 18.5%, depending on the type of experience. The most common experience suffered during childhood was being shown pornographic material, while that with the lowest prevalence was being forced to perform a sexual act involving penetration. Prevalence was higher in females than males for eight of the ten experiences considered. Young adults from Generation Z were the most likely to report having suffered three of the CSA experiences, two of them related to technology. Only 27.5% of respondents said that they had told someone about the abuse at the time, mainly their mother (more common among females) or a friend/peer (more frequent among males). The results suggest that CSA is prevalent in Spain, with considerable rates for several types of abusive experience, especially among females and the youngest generation. The implications of the results are discussed. The findings may inform social policy and the development of effective prevention programs.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) includes abusive contact experiences, which habitually impact the victim’s whole life. This study aims to analyze the characteristics of six CSA experiences with physical contact, including penetration, in a representative sample of the Spanish population. Participants were 1071 Spanish adults (53% males; M_age: 45.37) who completed the Child Sexual Abuse Experiences Questionnaire. The victim’s age at the first episode, the perpetrator’s characteristics, and the number of times that each experience occurred were analyzed, taking into account gender differences. Results were reported for every experience independently. The most prevalent age at the first experience was from 6 years old onwards, but with differences in some experiences. The abuses usually happened more than once, committed by the same person. The most prevalent perpetrator is a male, although a female perpetrator is more prevalent in male victims. Most of the abuses were committed by an adult acquaintance, a strange adult, and other minors, with some gender differences. The implications of the results concerning every CSA experience are discussed, highlighting their value for future research and practice, the design of preventive programs, and early detection of CSA.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a type of maltreatment that occurs in practically all countries and social statuses. Due to the taboo and shame that surrounds it, CSA is a problem universally silenced despite the important consequences (both physical and psychological) that it has for the victim and their family. This work aimed to study the correlates of CSA in Mexican women. Our sample comprised 1058 women ranged from 18 to 73 years (M = 40.19; SD = 10.24). They completed an anonymous online survey including questions about all the different types of abuse, questions about who perpetrated it, at what age it happened, and whether the victim disclosed the abuse. Our results showed that, depending on the type of abuse, from 13.9% to 65.8% of the participants had suffered at least one episode of CSA throughout their childhood. The first episode typically occurred between 6 and 12 years old, with the perpetrator being a male. The youngest women reported higher rates of being shown pornography by a family member, whereas the oldest ones reported higher rates of exhibitionism by a stranger. Only 31.3% of the sample disclosed the abuse, usually to their mother or a peer. Differences among the correlates of the different types of abuse, the age of the victims, and the relationship with the perpetrator are discussed as well as the victims’ feelings of being believed when they disclosed the abuse.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a type of maltreatment that women appear to be at higher risk of. In Spain, studies are scarce and outdated. The objective of this study was to analyze the experiences of CSA in a sample of Spanish women. The sample comprised 968 women (M = 39.82 years, SD = 12.71). Participants completed an anonymous online survey about their childhood experiences. The prevalence of CSA ranged from 9.8% to 53.1%, and most commonly involved being rubbed against or fondled. The first episode most frequently occurred between 6 and 12 years old, and the perpetrator was commonly a man, either a family member or stranger. Half of the women told someone about the experience, usually their mother or a peer. The earlier the first experience, the higher the number of different types of sexual abuse, with more physical contact and more perpetrators. Generation Z (age 18-23) reported the fewest instances of CSA. Women reported high rates of CSA experiences, although the youngest generation seems to be more protected. The paper discusses the experiences reported, the women's age at the time of the first episode, the relationship to the perpetrator, and generational differences, as well as the importance of providing up-to-date information about CSA.