Some methodological problems in estimating incidence and prevalence in child sexual abuse research

Abstract

Research into child sexual abuse is fraught with methodological problems. This paper provides an overview of some common aspects of them. Definitional inconsistencies are frequent, including that of child sexual abuse itself and what age limits define a child. Other methodological difficulties include determining the number of children sexually abused in any period of time, choice of sample, the type and number of questions asked, factors such as publicity associated with the historical period, and estimates of the rate of increase of child sexual abuse over time. It is suggested that greater consistency, particularly of definition, would assist comparative conclusions to be made with less ambiguity and greater validity.