Minors: Telefono Azzurro, more frequent abuse in the family

Child sexual abuse is a "complex phenomenon and affects millions of girls and boys around the world, not to mention that knowing its exact prevalence is difficult, since violence often comes to light after a long time". And what emerges from the comparison of various international studies is also a substantial difference as regards the gender of the victim: "the prevalence rate for girls is higher than that of boys, in some cases even more than double. And again: sexual abuse of minors is more frequent within the family and in the so-called circle of trust ". These are some of the key points highlighted by the Report produced by Telefono Azzurro, a compendium of research carried out over the years all over the world,food for thought that led to the discussion between experts at the international conference "The right to trust. The challenge of securing the relationship of children and adolescents with trusted adults". Event scheduled in Rome, at the Abi headquarters, as part of the European Day for the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

    As regards the national context - reports a note - according to a survey carried out by the National Institute of Statistics, in 2014 10.6% of women aged 16-70 years of age suffered sexual violence before the age of 16. This percentage is increasing compared to a similar survey conducted in 2006, according to which, at the time, 1 million 400 thousand women between the ages of 16-70 had suffered sexual abuse before the age of 16, (6.6% ). In 80% of cases, the perpetrator is a known person: often an acquaintance, relative or family friend of the victim.

    There is also a substantial gender difference in Italy. In 2020, children (0-13) or boys (14-17 years) represent respectively 30% and 14% of the total victims of grooming, compared, respectively, to 70% and 86% of girls and girls. Child sexual abuse is more frequent within the family and in the so-called "circle of trust": for example, 48% of the victims interviewed (n = 5440) from the English Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA, 2021 ) reported being abused by a family member.

    However, the abuse can take place in all contexts in which the child or adolescent finds himself and in which he should be protected, i.e. the school, sports, religious context, and in general in the various recreational and educational realities. frequented by minors.

Taking up the aforementioned report (IICSA, 2021), 12% of the victims interviewed reported having suffered abuse at the hands of a teacher / educator, 6% by a member of the clergy, and 1% reported having being abused by a coach.