Adolescent rape: Characteristics and short-term impact

Abstract

Background Data in Indonesia show that adolescents still have
the highest rate for rape and other sexual assaults among age
group. There are gender differences in adolescent rape and sexual
assault, with female victims exceeding males with a ratio of 3:1.
Sexual assault and rape can affect numerous children and often
lead to short-term and long-term consequences.
Objectives To determine the characteristics and short-term im-
pacts of adolescent rape.
Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 31 adoles-
cents who had been raped 1-9 months previously. Subjects and
parents were assessed using Child Behavior Checklist, Draw a
Person, House Tree Person, and Raven’s Progressive Matrices to
determine psychological problems. History and physical examina-
tion findings at the time of rape were reviewed.
Results Thirty out of 31 female adolescents were 13-18 years old.
Almost half of them came from low income families and large fam-
ilies, two-thirds of all subjects were living with their parents. Nine-
teen of 31 perpetrators were friends or acquaintances, only 4 were
relatives. Tears of hymen were found in 21 subjects and only 8 of
them had non-genital injuries. Nine of 31 subjects had a high aver-
age range in non-verbal processing. Most subjects had a great
tendency to feel insecure, anxiety, depression, and had interper-
sonal relationship problems. Regression and aggressiveness were
found in almost half of the subjects. All subjects felt that their
mothers were protective and half of them had dominant fathers.
Conclusion Almost half of the adolescent victims come from low-
economic status and large families, most of the assailants were
friends or acquaintances. Adolescent rape victims have ongoing
behaviour problems. The most common problems are anxiety,
depression, and relationship problems