BACKGROUND: Dating violence refers to violence occurring between people in an intimate relationship. Forms of dating violence are often categorized into physical, psychological, and sexual violence, and most existing literature has followed this frame. However, few studies have focused on the phenomenon of living under the perpetrator's coercive control in victims of dating violence, although those experiences are known to be signs of severe forms of violence later on. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of being coercively controlled in female victims who had experienced dating violence. METHODS: For this study, in-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 14 female victims, and all interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. The data were analyzed using the phenomenological analysis method suggested by Colaizzi. RESULTS: Three themes were derived in chronological order: idealizing the relationship (period of potential control), facing severer tyranny (period of coercive control), and escaping from the unending trap (period of post-control). The results showed that the victims experienced perpetrators' control with specific patterns. The perpetrators' controlling behaviors were invisible, literally benevolent, at the beginning; however, severe forms of violence seemed to appear as their relationship deepened and the perpetrators failed to control the victims. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study presented vivid experiences of female victims who needed help and care. Hopefully, the results can benefit in terms of developing evidence-based prevention strategies for victims as well as assessing the risks of severe forms of dating violence, such as physical attack or murder.
Crime Victims ; Female ; Homicide ; Humans ; Intimate Partner Violence ; Methods ; Physical Abuse ; Qualitative Research ; Sex Offenses ; United Nations ; Violence

This paper reviews relevant literatures at home and abroad. The cases of child sexual abuse are systematically discussed from the aspects of epidemiology and forensic examination, in order to develop and improve the inspection and appraisal thinking and ability of domestic forensic workers in such cases. The paper also briefly introduces the current situation and existing problems of dealing with child sexual abuse cases for case-handling units at base level in China, in order to provide help to the formulation, improvement and development of relevant standards and norms for child protection in China.
Child ; Child Abuse, Sexual/diagnosis* ; Child Protective Services ; China ; Forensic Medicine/methods* ; Humans ; Physical Examination/methods*

Background: In the Philippines, 25% of ever-married women reported experiencing some form of violence from their partners but only 10% of them actually sought medical or legal help (NDHS, 2013). The objective of this study was to describe the type and severity of intimate partner violence experienced, and its association with formal help-seeking,among women aged 15-49 years in the Philippines. Methodology: The cross-sectional data used for this study came from the National Demographic and Health Survey of women aged 15-49 years old conducted in 2013. To estimate the association of interest, confounders were identified using the change-in-estimate criterion and were controlled by multiple logistic regression modelling. Results: Among women aged 15-49 years who experienced intimate partner violence, those who experienced all types of abuse had the highest proportion of formal help-seeking (7.3%), while women who experienced only sexual abuse had the lowest (0 out of 67). Controlling for the effect of other variables, women who experienced severe physical abuse were more likely to seek medical or legal assistance compared to those who experienced moderate physical abuse (OR=4.77; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.96 – 11.62). Conclusion Formal help-seeking rates were low among victims of intimate partner violence in the Philippines. The severity of the abuse experienced is likely an important factor in seeking medical and legal help. These systems should thus be capable of handling severe cases of abuse in order to address the needs of women who seek help. Efforts should be made to increase formal help-seeking among all victims of domestic violence.
Intimate Partner Violence ; Domestic Violence ; Physical Abuse

PURPOSE: This study is attempted to figure out the characteristics of sexual abuse victimization in low- and high-grade elementary school children and furthermore to help develop appropriate preventive educational programs against sexual abuse by grade. METHODS: Data were collected from 156 sexual abuse victims who were elementary school children and visited the Child Sexual Abuse Response Center in D City during the period from 2010 to 2012. Differences in general and victimization-related characteristics between low and high graders and the correlations among the characteristics were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed statistically significant difference between low and high graders in two variables: offender-victim relationship, and the type of sexual abuse. Offender-victim relationship was in a significant correlation with the duration of victimization (r=.576, p<.001), frequency of abuse (r=.546, p<.001), location (r=-.479, p<.001), and time (r=.435, p<.001). The type of sexual abuse was in a significant correlation with frequency (r=.175, p=.029) and time (r=.261, p=.001). CONCLUSION: Appropriate educational programs should be developed for preventing sexual assaults in consideration of difference in victimization-related characteristics between low and high graders. In addition, such programs should be applied fittingly to the learners'grade, gender, and cognitive level.
Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child* ; Crime Victims* ; Humans ; Sex Offenses*

INTRODUCTION: Child abuse, sexual and domestic violence are among the most destructive experiences afflicting women and children that result to physical, behavioral, psychological and economic consequences. Physicians in the front line need to be sensitive and vigilant in identifying both overt and subtle signs of these violations. As such, identification of victims is vital to prevent further abuse and injury, as well as to manage the patient holistically.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the skill of Family Medicine (FM) residents in detecting cases of violence against women and children (VAWC).
METHODS: Eight case scenarios were presented to 48 resident trainees from government and private hospitals in Metro Manila. They were tasked to identify cases pertaining to VAWC, and distinguish the case type.
RESULTS: Red flags that were easily detected by more than 80% of trainees were cases of physical abuse towards men, and neglect. Circumstances with moderate challenge were sexual harassment, rape, and abandonment, in that order. On the other hand, respondents had inadequacy in detecting cases of sexual abuse and physical abuse towards children; while the most difficult to recognize was emotional abuse.
CONCLUSION: Acquisition of this new skill set may prove beneficial in providing the ideal environment for proper management and support provision for the VAWC subjects. Lack of knowledge and training in this rising societal and health threat may cause underdiagnosis of common VAWC presentations. Consequently, this leads to failure of identification, assessment, documentation, and management of such patients.

Human ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Sexual Harassment ; Rape ; Physical Abuse ; Domestic Violence ; Child Abuse ; Sex Offenses ; Surveys And Questionnaires

Children who have been raped some years back may have hymenal scars. However, medical professionals are not accustomed in assessing these scars because of the lack of experience in performing physical examinations of the external genitalia of children who suffered from rape some years back. Moreover, the importance of physical examination of the victim's external genitalia is sometimes overlooked. Two cases of rape victims with hymenal scars who visited Daegu Child Sexual Abuse Response Center several years after their first sexual abuse along with a literature review are presented here.
Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child* ; Cicatrix* ; Daegu ; Female ; Genitalia ; Humans ; Hymen* ; Physical Examination ; Rape* ; Sex Offenses

Analyzing the data associated with the causes and manners of death in each region is important to make policies for the national public health, because it can be basis for prevention of future crimes and treatment of diseases. To establish regional basic data of the 245 autopsy cases performed at the department of Forensic Medicine of Chonnam National University Medical School in 2009 and 2010, each case was statistically analyzed according to the causes of death and the manners of death. The results are as follows; 1) the total number of legal autopsy was 245 (178 males and 67 females). The number of the 5th decade (64 cases) and the 6th decade (51 cases) occupied near 50 percent (46.9%) of total cases. 2) unnatural deaths were 154 cases (62.9%), and natural deaths were 91 cases (37.1%). In 154 cases of unnatural deaths, suicides were 27 cases (11.0%), homicides were 52 cases (21.2%), accidental deaths were 43 cases (17.6%), and undetermined deaths were 32 cases (13.1%). 3) Among 91 natural deaths, deaths of cardiac origin were 57 cases (62.6%) and it was a leading cause of death in natural deaths. Deaths due to disease of cerebral vascular system were 11 cases (12.1%), deaths due to respiratory system were 9 cases (9.9%). 4) Child deaths under the age of 10 were 9 cases (3.6%). Four cases were homicide, 2 cases were accident, and 3 cases were natural deaths. Conclusively, in these area victims between thirties and forties are taking the most proportion, unnatural deaths are more than natural deaths. In unnatural deaths, the order of frequency is homicide, accidental death, suicide, in natural death, neurocardiovacular disease is predominant.
Autopsy ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Crime ; Forensic Medicine ; Homicide ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Public Health ; Respiratory System ; Schools, Medical ; Suicide

Objective: This study aimed to compare the clinical profile of prepubertal and pubertal female child sexual abuse. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study involving 43 sexually abused children was done. Each patient was categorized as prepubertal or pubertal based on the Tanner stage. Medical history was gathered using a structured interview and physical examination done with proper documentation after obtaining consent. Blind review by child protection specialists was done on genital images. Descriptive statistics were utilized for all variables. Results: This study showed 11.97% and 22.22% prevalence for prepubertal and pubertal child sexual abuse, respectively. Most prepubertal children disclosed digital vaginal penetration by the father and non-relative household members, while most pubertal children reported penile-vaginal penetration by the boyfriend. Fondling was common to both groups. The majority were repeated abuse and usually happened at the perpetrator’s house. Behavioral changes and genital symptoms were common in prepubertal children. Findings of hymenal trauma were found in 25% of prepubertal girls and half of the pubertal adolescents. The interobserver variability of these hymenal findings was fair. The prevalence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) was low, none for the prepubertal children, and only 6% of the adolescent had STI, which was Hepatitis B. Conclusion The clinical profile of sexually abused prepubertal children differed from that of pubertal adolescents. There was a higher incidence of hymenal trauma and STIs in adolescents.
Child Abuse, Sexual

Child abuse and neglect refers to any act or failure to act that violates the rights of children and affects their overall optimal health, survival or development. Also sexual abuse in children is defined as engaging a child in sexual acts that the child does not understand, to which the child cannot give informed consent, or which violate the taboos of our society. Sexual abuse may involve direct acts perpetrated against children as well as other non-touching abuses, which include exhibitionism, voyeurism, or the use of children for pornographic purposes. Although precise incidence and prevalence rate data are lacking, sexual abuse of children is common in our country and throughout the world. Child sexual abuse is a universal problem that has frequently passed unrecognized and its victims (both children and perpetrators) untreated. Child sexual abuse results in significant social damage. The physical and psychological consequences of child sexual abuse may result in trauma and has implications throughout the lifespan. Experiencing sexual abuse as a child also has the consequence of contributing to an increased risk of violent victimization, perpetration, self-directed violence and suicide later in life. Despite the importance of the issues, information about sexual abuse in children and amongst adults has not been commonly shared by health professionals. The purpose of this review article is to assist the physician in their investigation of child sexual abuse by exploring the important topics.
Adult ; Child Abuse ; Child Abuse, Sexual ; Child* ; Crime Victims ; Exhibitionism ; Health Occupations ; Humans ; Incidence ; Informed Consent ; Prevalence ; Sex Offenses* ; Suicide ; Taboo ; Violence ; Voyeurism

Criminology has been understood within a sociological framework until the emergence of neurocriminology, which describes, understands and predicts criminal behaviors from a neurobiological point of view. Not only using biological factors including genes and hormones to understand criminal behaviors, but also using neuroimaging techniques, the field of neurocriminology aims to delve into both structural and functional differences in the brain of individuals with aggression, antisocial personalities, and even the criminals. Various studies have been conducted based on this idea, however, there still are limitations for the knowledge from these studies to be used in the court. In this review article, we provide an overview of the various research in neurocriminology, and provide insight into the future direction and implication of the field.
Aggression* ; Antisocial Personality Disorder ; Biological Factors ; Brain* ; Criminal Behavior* ; Criminals* ; Criminology ; Humans ; Neuroimaging* ; Neurosciences