Features of Childhood Sexual Abuse During Initiation Period of Lockdown due to COVID-19 Pandemic in Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: During Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, lockdown carried out all over the world has caused many health problems in children and adolescents. In addition to increased screen exposure, obesity and diabetes due to a sedentary lifestyle the risk of child abuse and neglect have also increased due to changing socioeconomic conditions. Childhood sexual abuse is a social problem with biopsychosocial consequences. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the characteristics of cases who applied to Izmir Child Advovacy Center (CAC) due to sexual abuse in the first 45 days of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic in our country. Materials and Methods: In our study, the medical records of child sexual abuse cases who were admitted to Izmir CAC during the first 45 days of lockdown between March 25, 2020 and May 10, 2020 were evaluated retrospectively and descriptive analyses were performed.