Patterns of Child Sexual Abuse

After reviewing the empirical studies aimed at exploring different forms of child maltreatment, it is clear that maltreatment is a complex phenomenon. Although child maltreatment can occur in a variety of ways, all of its types are interrelated and influence negatively on the child-victim and his/her family. Healthcare providers might gain more understanding of the problem by considering different perspectives and interrelated types of maltreatment including child physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. Because child sexual abuse is not considered as one domain or scope, it is important for multidisciplinary teams to conduct a comprehensive assessment for all suspected children and their families to detect vulnerable children who are at risk for this traumatic experience.