Prevalence of victimization and poly-victimization of children in Saudi Arabia: Results from ICAST study

Objectives: Multiple forms of victimization (poly-victimization) can occur during childhood resulting harmful effects on health and difficult to reverse. Previous studies focused on individual, relatively narrow categories of... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: Multiple forms of victimization (poly-victimization) can occur during childhood resulting harmful effects on health and difficult to reverse. Previous studies focused on individual, relatively narrow categories of victimization (e.g. psychological abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and witnessing family violence), paying less attention to exposure to poly-victimization. Most studies of poly-victimization have been conducted in the United States and in northern European countries. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of victimization and poly-victimization among secondary school students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A cross-sectional, national survey utilizing ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool Children’s Version (ICAST-CH), supported by a grant from King Abdullah International Medical Research Center (KAIMRC) was conducted in secondary schools in the five main regions of Saudi Arabia. Boys and girls, public and private schools were selected to participate. Students (N=16,010) aged 15-18 years were invited to complete the survey.

Results: Participant’s mean age 16.8±0.9 years, and 51% boys. Eighty one percent lived with both-parents, 6.2% with single parent, and 2.5% with step-parent. Most of the participants (89%) reported at least one type of victimization during their lives and 87% during the last year. Psychological abuse (79%) was the most common type of abuse followed by physical abuse (62%), neglect (53%), and sexual abuse (13%). Participants reported an average of 3.5±1.3 victimizations during their lives and 3.2±1.3 victimizations during the last year. Approximately 47% of the sample was considered as poly-victims (experienced 4-6 victimizations) during their lives and 38% during the last year. Poly-victimization was found to be higher in girls, 17-18 years, and living with step-parent (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The results highlight the importance of establishing public policy which encourages the social workers and Child Protection Services to screen poly-victimization in cases of suspected child maltreatment.