Examining the causes of secondary victimization in child sexual abuse according to the observations of social workers and forensic experts

Child sexual abuse continues to be one of the most important issues affecting human life today, as it was in the past. It is observed that institutions established to reduce the victimization of abused children also cause secondary victimization in victimized children. This study was planned to determine and analyze the causes of secondary victimization experienced by sexually abused children during the judicial process. The subjects of the research consist of 110 social workers and 100 forensic physicians who provide direct interviews with children who have been sexually abused in child monitoring centers, forensic interview rooms, courthouses and the Forensic Medicine Institute. A total of 110 social workers, 65 women (59.1%) and 45 men (40.9%), aged at least 24 and at most 65, participated in the thesis study. Among forensic medicine physicians, 100 people, 50 women and 50 men, whose ages ranged from 27 to 59, participated. Following the informed consent form, a personal information form prepared separately for both groups was used as a data collection tool. In addition, the researcher determined the risk factors that may cause secondary victimization in line with the literature and benefited from the experiences of social workers and forensic medicine experts. A survey form, some of which consisted of 5-point Likert type questions and some of which consisted of yes/no, multiple choice and open-ended questions, was used. Sampling was done on a voluntary basis, and data was collected online and online by random sampling method. In line with the information of the participants, analyzes were completed with frequency analysis, independent sample t test and chi-square tests, and open-ended questions were also evaluated in a qualitative context. As a result of the study, although generally significant differences were not found between male and female participants, it was observed that many of the identified secondary causes of victimization continue today.