Poly-victimization of sexually abused boys: A documental analysis from mandatory reporting records

Abstract

The occurrence of more than one type of violence brings serious consequences to poly-victims, compared to victims of a single type of violence. The need to broaden the understanding of this phenomenon is also important because of the lack of national studies about poly-victimization, especially in the context of sexually abused boys. Studies point out that boys show higher frequency of poly-victimization, compared to female victims. Aiming to broaden the understanding of this phenomenon, by the use of an official document, a documental research was conducted with mandatory reporting records in Federal District in the years 2013 and 2014. From the analysis of the 290 records, it was observed that rates of poly-victimization were consistent with data from other studies, as well as the higher frequency of psychological and physical victimization and also the use of force and threat. The existence of difficulties concerning the filling in of such records indicates the need of more frequent and adequate trainings. Although the documental analysis might show some methodological critics, they do not concern to the results presented here, because this study accessed 100% of the cases in Federal District and also because of the large gap of studies on this topic.

Keywords: sexual child abuse, crime victims, mandatory reporting.