The purpose of this study is to obtain a better understanding of what people fear might happen to them when being outside after dark. A lot of quantitative studies have been made on the subject of fear of crime to generalize and quantify people’s fears, but lacks any in-depth information about their fears and experiences. I have chosen to research about just that. Theories used are Doing gender and Ideal victims and I have interviewed 8 individuals about what they fear, why they fear it, where they think this fear comes from and other feeling and experiences associated with it. In my analysis we can see that there is a big difference in what individuals fear between men and women. The women in this study are more scared than the men to the point that they do not really venture outside after dark. Men on the other hand feel a bit more unsafe after dark, but never enough to avoid going outside. I also found that women feel shame over their pre-conceptions of men’s crime towards women. Men were mostly scared of assault and robbery while women are mostly scared of sexual assault, and their fears mostly derive from media and experiences people close to them have had. / Syftet med denna studie är att få en bättre förståelse över var människor är rädda kan hända dem om de är ute när det är mörkt. Många kvantitativa studier har genomförts angående rädsla för brott för att kunna kvantifiera samt generalisera resultaten till en hel population. Detta resulterar i en förlust av djupet i individers rädslor kring att bli utsatta för brott. Jag har valt att forska om just det. Valda teorier är ”göra genus” och ”ideella offer” och jag har intervjuat 8 individer angående vad de är rädda för, varför de är rädda för det, vart de tror denna rädsla kommer ifrån samt andra känslor associerade med det. I min analys kan vi se att det finns en stor skillnad mellan vad män och kvinnorna i denna studie är rädda för. Kvinnorna var räddare än män till den punkten att de avstod från att gå ut under kvällar och nätter. Männen å andra sidan kände sig lite osäkrare när det var mörkt, men aldrig tillräckligt för att avstå från att gå ut. Jag fann även att kvinnor upplevde skam över deras fördomar mot mäns brott mot kvinnor. Män var främst rädda för misshandel och rån medan kvinnor var rädda för sexuella brott, och deras rädslor härstammade från media och erfarenheter individer nära dem hade upplevt.

The issue of crime victim in criminology Resume The purpose of my thesis is to describe all aspects of the situation of the victims, to find some problems they have to solve and to suggest the possible solutions of these problems. I find this topic very interesting. In the past, people concerned only with perpetrators of crimes. The victims were ignored. The situation is better now, nevertheless the position of the victims is not as good as it should be. It is necessary to make some changes, mainly to prevent secondary victimization because it is a big problem the victims must deal with. It is also very important to make some changes in our legislation to improve the position of the victims. The thesis is composed of ten chapters which are divided into subchapters. The chapter one deals with victimology. The first part focuses on a history of victimology and the second part deals with its subject. The chapter two concentrates on the term Victim. It also focuses on some aspects that increase the probability of becoming a victim. Finally, the third part of this chapter deals with the typology of the victims. The chapter three describes the process of victimization. Especially it concentrates on primary and secondary victimization, on secondary victimization of the victims of a rape and finally it describes...

M.A. / The prevalence of rape in the world and particularly in South Africa, calls for the understanding of the factors involved in rape. In particular, it is necessary to understand rape in terms of the victim, not just in terms of the prevalence, causes and social consequences of rape. The victim’s experience of rape is complicated and takes place over a journey that progresses from the assault, through her responses and psychological and social reactions to her recovery from the trauma. It is imperative that a clear understanding of previous research is gained in order to understand the existing epistemological picture of the rape victim’s experience. This dissertation has intended to achieve this understanding by reviewing the literature that has explored rape victim’s responses after the rape, the psychological and social impact the rape has had and the recovery process after the rape. In each of these instances the factors that are identified by research as influencing the rape victim’s experience are surveyed. The victim’s responses to rape are traumatic. It is therefore important to understand the nature of trauma and in particular Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Rape Trauma Syndrome (RTS) in particular describes the traumatic responses of a rape victim. There are factors that influence the extent that the victim experiences responses to a rape. These factors include the extent to which a victim is believed about the rape, the extent to which it is thought that the victim precipitated the assault. Her own attributions about the rape will also influence her responses, as well as the nature of the assault, the level of violence, prior victimisation, past psychological treatment or mental illness, poor social support and other life stresses experienced at the same time as the rape. The victim does not only respond to the traumatic experience after a rape, but may also experience the psychological impact a rape may have. Reactions such as fear, anxiety, anger, aggression, guilt, shame, doubt, depression and psychopathology may be experienced as psychological reactions to a rape. The victim may also experience the impact a rape can have on her social functioning. She may withdraw socially and experience problems in her sexual functioning. The research reviewed indicated that there are factors that influence the extent that these reactions may impact on the victim’s life, if at all. These factors include: participation in the justice system, social support received after the rape, 8 cognitive appraisals made by the victim and possible psychological problems prior to the assault. The final part of a victim’s journey is the recovery. Recovery can be described the psychological work that is required by the victim. As with the responses and reactions that a rape victim experiences, the recovery process is also a journey that is dependent on many influencing factors. The factors that are identified as influencing the recovery process of the victim, both by enhancing it and by hindering it, include: demographic variables of the victim, previous victimisation, functioning before the rape (including chronic life stress and family grief, the nature of the assault, the relationship of the victim to the assailant, social support received after the rape, and the meaning the victim gives to the ordeal. This study of the existing literature concerning the journey of the rape victim through the responses she has after the rape, to the impact of the rape on her psychological and social functioning, to her recovery has highlighted the importance of influencing factors on this journey. It has also been noted by this study that there is a lack of evidence that can shed light on the factors that may influence the South African rape victim’s experience.

M.A. / The purpose of this dissertation was to gain an in depth understanding of the impact on family functioning post the act of rape upon one of its members. Family members of rape victims either completed a questionnaire or they were interviewed by the researcher. This was solely at their discretion. Their perceptions and experiences were recorded and analysed. Rape and sexual assault has a definite effect on the social functioning of family members. All of the respondents felt that the rape had affected them deeply and most of the participants believed that the incident had a devastating effect initially. The majority of the respondents sought help from an external source because they felt that they were in need of support. Their family unit was threatened and to regain control of it, counselling was sought. This counselling was mainly individual in nature but there were certain instances where couples therapy played a role. Not one of the respondents ever attended a group or a family session. This was because there was no support group in place to fulfill this need. All the participants believed that support groups for family members of rape victims was both vital and necessary. If given the chance, all of them would have attended a support group session. On the whole, literature verifies the results found in this study. Most literature agrees that rape has a serious impact on family functioning post the act of rape upon one of its members. Some families may only have had bad memories but continued to function completely normally whilst others virtually stopped functioning at all and the resultant family unit was forever broken. Whether the family continues to function normally or that they are unable to cope at all, the fact still remains that the effect of rape on the social functioning of the family is felt to a greater or lesser degree. In most instances, the impact of rape has very traumatic repercussions that should lead to social work intervention. / Dr. E. Oliphant

Denna studie undersöker fenomenet sexhandel och prostitution. Genom intervjuer med myndighetspersoner och ideella organisationer som arbetar för att bekämpa sexhandel och prostitution i Sverige, ville vi undersöka vilka perspektiv dessa organisationer och myndigheter har på fenomenet. Vi tittade på hur dessa beskriver situationen och hur de ser på utvecklingen av arbetet mot sexhandel och prostitution, samt hur de arbetar och vilka utmaningar de ser i Sverige. Liksom tidigare forskning visat så är detta ett växande problem med stora mörkertal där förövarna tenderar att vara anonyma och offren vanligtvis kommer från utsatta situationer, vilket driver dem in i prostitution och sexhandel. Majoriteten av offren är kvinnor från fattigare länder som säljs till Sverige genom hallickar. Då svenska män betalar betydligt mer än männen i kvinnornas hemländer, blir Sverige ett attraktivt land för sexhandel. De svenska sexköparna har övervägande god ekonomi, även om det förekommer att män från alla samhällsklasser köper sex. I och med den svenska lagstiftningen och den fria rörligheten inom Europa så köper majoriteten av de svenska sexköparna sex utomlands. Sexhandeln ger mest inkomst till hallickarna vilka behåller största delen av pengarna själva samtidigt som kvinnorna ofta sätts i beroendeställning till hallickarna genom skuldsättning och bristande språkkunskaper. Det framkom att sexhandel och prostitution drivs av krafter som förvriden människosyn, pengar, makt, sexdrift, och diskriminering. En stor bidragande orsak till att problemet fortfarande existerar och växer är efterfrågan vilken också stimuleras av pornografin. Porren harstark koppling till sexhandel och prostitution då den normaliserar en förvriden kvinnosyn, dessutom går porrkonsumtionen ner i åldrarna i dagens Sverige. Både frivilligarbetare och myndighetspersoner arbetar på olika sätt för att förebygga och bekämpa prostitution och sexhandel, genom opinionsbildning, förebyggande arbete, operativt och uppsökande arbete samt rehabilitering. De intervjuade efterfrågade mer resurser och underströk vikten och nödvändigheten av samverkan för att kunna bekämpa sexhandeln och prostitutionen.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a presença de ansiedade e depressão em vítimas de trauma que foram referenciados para reabilitação em unidade especializada. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo, de corte transversal e abordagem quantitativa, desenvolvido com 85 participantes em Unidade Especializada em Reabilitação, do SUS, localizada no município de Uberaba. A coleta de dados ocorreu nos meses de outubro de 2013 a janeiro de 2014, após aprovação do Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa da Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Foram aplicados três instrumentos: um questionário semiestruturado, de autoria do pesquisador, com variáveis sociodemográficas e hábitos de vida; Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck. Após a coleta, os dados foram inseridos em um banco de dados eletrônicos no Microsoft Excel. Foram utilizadas ferramentas de estatística na realização de análise exploratória da relação entre os fatores depressão e ansiedade com diversas variáveis. Como resultado do estudo constatou-se que a idade dos participantes variou de 19 a 81 anos, com predomínio do sexo feminino 57,7%, raça branca 54,1%, religião católica 54,1%, renda de dois a quatro salários mínimos 61,2% e 35,3% de casados. O afastamento do trabalho deu-se em 29,4% da amostra e 40,0% não completou o ensino fundamental, e 10,6% eram analfabetos. Os dias de terça feira 20,0%, quarta feira 16,5% e quinta feira 14,1% representaram os dias de maior ocorrência de acidentes. O período da tarde apresentou a maior incidência dos traumas 45,9%. Declararam-se tabagistas 28,2% dos participantes e 30,6% disseram fazer uso de algum tipo de bebida alcoólica. A alteração do sono se deu em 56,5% e alteração do apetite após o acidente 24,7% dos participantes. Constatou-se neste estudo que o padrão de ansiedade nas formas moderada representa 30,6% e na grave pôde ser observado em 12,9% dos entrevistados, enquanto 16,5% apresentaram níveis moderados e 5,9% graves de depressão. Dos participantes do estudo que foram vítimas de acidente de trânsito pôde-se observar que 39,3% e 14,3% apresentaram nível de ansiedade moderada e grave, respectivamente. Este percentual de ansiedade significativa decai nos acidentes domésticos 26,1% moderada e ansiedade grave 17,4%. Nos acidentes de trabalho a ansiedade moderada foi 28,0% e grave 8,0%, e em outros tipos de acidentes 22,2% e 11,1%, respectivamente para ansiedade moderada e grave. Quanto aos níveis de depressão, os acidentes de trânsito apresentaram 17,9% e 7,1% de vítimas com estado de depressão moderada e grave; nos acidentes domésticos 21,7% apresentaram depressão moderada; nos acidentes de trabalho observou-se que 12,0% dos participantes apresentaram nível moderado e 12,0% nível grave de depressão. Estes dados mostram a necessidade de suporte psicológico, com um acompanhamento psicoterapêutico voltado à necessidade da vítima de trauma, até sua reabilitação emocional. Uma situação inusitada, como um acidente, pode desencadear um comprometimento da vida do ser humano, tanto física quanto psicológica / The aim of this study was to assess the presence of both anxiety and depression in victims of trauma who were conducted to a trauma rehabilitation center. This study is descriptive, transversal and quantitative. Whose sample was 85 participants that belonged to the Specialized Rehabilitation Unit, of SUS, in Uberaba. The data collection happened from October 2013 to January 2014, after being approved by the ethical committee of the Escola de Enfermagem de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo. Three instruments were used: a semi-structured questionnaire made by the author himself, which assessed socio- demographic aspects and life habits; Becks\' Anxiety Questionnaire and Beck\'s Depression Questionnaire. After the data being gathered, it was put on an electronic data base in Microsoft Excel. Statistical tools were used for the exploratory analysis of the relation between depression and anxiety with the others variables. There was an age variation from 19 to 81 years-old, with prevalence of females 57,7%, Caucasians 54,1%, Catholics 54,1%, mensal income two to four minimum salary 61,2% and married is 35,3%. 29,4% of the sample had been dismissed due to trauma consequences. 40,0% of the sample did not have the basics studies finished and 10,6% are illiterate. Tuesday 20,0%, Wednesday 16,5% and Thursday 14,1% were the highest days to accident occurrence. The afternoon period presented the highest prevalence of traumatic events 45,9%. 28,2% of the sample is composed by smokers and 30,6% say that drink alcohol. Sleep alteration after the accident was present in 56,5% of the patients and appetite alteration in 24,7% of them. In this study, the anxiety pattern for moderate anxiety were 30,6% and severe form 12,9%. For moderate depression 16,5% and severe depression 5,9%. Among this sample, the victims of traffic trauma 39,3% shows moderate anxiety and 14,3% severe. On domestic traumas 26,1% had moderate anxiety and 17,4% had severe. On work traumas, 28% had moderate anxiety and 8% severe. In the category Other, 22,0% for moderate anxiety and 11,1% for severe. It was found moderate 17,9% and severe 7,1% levels of depression in trauma related to traffic. On domestic trauma, the levels of depression are 21,7% (moderate). On work accidents it was observed 12,0% of moderate depression and 12,0% severe. These data show the necessity of psychological support to the trauma victims, because, as exposed, an unexpected life event, like an accident that may lead to a physical or emotional impairment

Objetivos: O trabalho faz uma caracterização dos acidentes de trânsito e vítimas no município de Rio Branco/AC, no período de 2005 a 2008. Teve, como objetivos, 1. identificar a magnitude dos agravos de acidentes de trânsito: número de veículos envolvidos, tipo de veículos envolvidos, classificação dos envolvidos e natureza dos acidentes; 2. caracterizar vítimas, segundo variáveis: sexo, idade e condição no local do acidente e 3.delinear o perfil do acidente: área, fase do dia, dia da semana, horário e mês. Procedimentos Metodológicos: Estudo transversal, descritivo, utilizou dados secundários de instituições responsáveis pela notificação de acidentes de trânsito: DENATRAN, DETRAN/AC, IML/AC, HUERB/AC e SIM/SESACRE. Definiu-se, como base principal, o banco de dados digital do Departamento Estadual de Trânsito do Acre, cujos dados foram comparados com os do DENATRAN. Em relação à mortalidade, foi realizado pareamento entre dados do DETRAN, SIM e IML. Resultados: Identificaram-se diferenças discrepantes entre dados do DENATRAN e DETRAN. A taxa de motocicletas envolvidas em Acidente de trânsito teve aumento de 17,2por cento e do automóvel, decréscimo de 7,2por cento . O número de vítimas aumentou 16,1por cento ; o de vítima fatal, acréscimo de 6,6por cento e não fatais, de 17,1por cento . Acidentes de trânsito, no período estudado, aumentaram 14,5por cento . Quanto à natureza, destacaram-se as colisões/abalroamento 76,5por cento . O tipo de veículo mais envolvido foi a motocicleta (43,4por cento ). Período do dia de maior ocorrência dos acidentes: tarde (32,2por cento ), seguida de noite (30,8por cento ). Perímetro urbano/rural: 97por cento ocorreram em área urbana. Os dias da semana de maior ocorrência foram: sábado (18,6por cento ) e o domingo (16,7por cento ). A hora de maior ocorrência foi às 18:00, seguida das 19:00 horas. A proporção de vítimas por acidente manteve-se entre 1,3 e 1,4, durante o período. As faixas etárias mais vulneráveis foram: 30 a 39 (20por cento ), de 20 a 24 anos (19,8por cento ) e 25 a 29, com 17,3por cento . Vítimas do sexo masculino tiveram destaque nos acidentes, na condição de motociclista (89,8por cento ) e do sexo feminino, como passageira (59,6por cento ). Do total de vítimas, 97,2por cento corresponderam a vítimas não - fatais. A razão de sexos masculino x feminino, como vítima, correspondeu à proporção de 2:1, em 2005/2007/2008 e 3:1, em 2006. Conclusões: Acidentes e vítimas do trânsito, em Rio Branco, caracterizaram-se de forma bastante diversificada, corroborando com outros estudos, realizados em diversas regiões do Brasil. Chamaram atenção a magnitude e tendência crescente apresentadas por Acidentes de trânsito e vítimas, durante o período estudado, para cujo enfrentamento, foram desenvolvidas ações parciais, isoladas, limitadas a notificações de acidentes/vítimas e atendimentos requeridos, com pequena ênfase em prevenção, não configurando uma política pública, com participação da sociedade e de setores governamentais, envolvidos com a problemática complexa e multifacetada / ABSTRACT Objective: This work approches accidents in the traffic and their victims in the city of Rio Branco/Ac in the period of 2005 to 2008. The objectives are: 1-to identify the size aggravation of accidents in the traffic as number of vehicle involved, kind of vehicle, classification involved and nature of the accidents; 2- to characterize victims, according to variants, such as sex, age and condition of the local of accident and also 3- to line the profile of the accident as area, phase of day, day of week, schedule and month. Methodological Procedures: The essay is descriptive, transverse and worked with secondary data of responsable institutions by the notification of the accidents as DENATRAN, DETRAN/AC, IML/AC, HUERB/AC and SIM/DAPE/SESACRE, using as principal base DEPARTAMENTO ESTADUAL DE TRÂNSITO DO ACRES digital data and after making comparison with DENATRANS. In the mortality aspect was realized information of DETRAN, SIM and IML. Results: differents informations were identified among DENATRAN and DETRAN. In respect to involved vehicle in the accident the rate of motorcycle grew up 17.2per cent and the automobile grew down 7.2per cent . The number of victims rose in 16.1per cent , fatal victims 6.6per cent and no fatal victims 17.1per cent . The accidents in the traffic in the period analyzed rose 14.5per cent . In relation to the nature of accidents the collision was remarkable with 76.5per cent . The predominant kind of involved vehicle was motorcycle with 43.4per cent . The period of day with a bigger incidence of accident was in the afternoon with 32.2per cent and at night with 30.8per cent . Concerning to the limit of the city, the percentage was 97per cent in urban area. The days of week that were noticed more accidents were Saturday with 18.6per cent and Sunday with 16.7per cent . The schedule of occurrence was 18h and after 19h with. The proportion of victims of accidents maintained in 1.3 to 1.4 through the period. The most vulnerable age was 30 to 39 (20per cent ), 20 to 24 (19.8per cent ) and 25 to 29 (17.3per cent ). The victims of male sex had more prominence in the accidents as motorcycle drivers (89.8per cent ) and the female as passenger (59.6per cent ). In the total of victims 97,2per cent was no fatal. The reason of male sex and female as victim concerning the proportion of 2:1 in 2005/2007/2008 and 3:1 in 2006. Conclusion:accidents and victims of traffic in Rio Branco characterizes in a very diversificated way, confirming another studies developed in many Brazils areas. The size and growing tendency showed by traffic accidents and victims got attention during the observed period. In order to confront the previous related situation were developed partial actions, as well, isolated and restricted ones referred to the accidents and victimss notifications as required with short emphasis in prevention, not characterizing a public program with society and government sections presence involved with complexes problems

This thesis examines approaches to establishing liability in corporate groups. It considers the problem that arises when an insolvent subsidiary's tort creditors suffer personal injury, and try to pursue recourse against other group companies - especially the parent company. Courts have tried to provide answers regarding the parent company's liability for the torts of their subsidiaries, but have had limited success. The thesis reveals difficulty in extending liability to the parent company by way of insolvency law provisions, and by piercing the corporate veil. It recounts the hesitation of the courts in broadening their perspective beyond individual companies, so as to take the group itself as the responsible entity. The thesis points, furthermore, to shortcomings in proposals for a new rule of unlimited pro rata liability. Motivated by the inadequacy of current solutions to this pressing group problem, the thesis explores alternative tort law remedies under an approach suggested by the Supreme Court in the leading cases of VTB Capital Plc v Nutritek International Corp and others and Prest v Petrodel Resources Ltd. Chapter III discusses the role of tort of negligence in establishing the parent company's liability. The work analyses case law decisions on how to widen the application of negligence in the corporate group context, and compares UK law with relevant United States' and Australian case law. Since this group problem involves multiple legal entities, Chapters IV and V evaluate the possibility of using the doctrine of joint tortfeasance and/or the theory of vicarious liability in establishing the parent company's liability for its subsidiary company's torts. These two doctrines' extensions in corporate tort cases are seldom discussed in the literature. To conclude, tort law solutions, especially the doctrines of tort of negligence and joint tortfeasance based on participations are recommended to be further developed for corporate tort problems.

Childhood abuse, whether physical or sexual, is a major public health issue. The most recent United States data from Child Protective Services (CPS) show that in 2013 there were 3.5 million referrals of child maltreatment involving 6.4 million children. Out of these cases, 18% were for physical abuse and 9% were for sexual abuse. However, researchers argue that CPS data grossly underestimate the prevalence of childhood abuse as most childhood abuse goes unreported. Indeed, to date, the true prevalence of childhood abuse remains unknown as research has been hampered by inconsistent definitions of abuse and wide variation in methodologies including measures for its identification and modes of administration of these measures. Although a health care visit presents an opportunity to identify a childhood abuse history, health care providers frequently fail to ask about it. The reasons doctors give for not asking about abuse include lack of training, not knowing how to ask, and lack of familiarity with practical methods for screening that can be used in primary care settings. There is little to no research on effective means for identifying childhood abuse histories, especially in the adolescent and young adult population, or on how different modes of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse compare to each other. The net result is that most childhood physical and sexual abuse is never identified and many victims do not get the needed services to help them heal. When unaddressed, childhood abuse has negative impacts on victims’ health and wellbeing over the life course. Prior studies of adults show that when compared with non-victims of abuse, victims tend to perceive their health as poorer and utilize more health care services including emergency room and urgent outpatient care. These studies also suggest that adult victims use less routine and preventive care than non-victims. Only two studies, conducted among widely different adolescent populations, have examined how adolescent victims perceive their health. Similarly, limited evidence examining perception of health is available for young adults. These studies found that victims perceive their health as poorer than non-victims. There have been no adolescent-specific studies of how victimization impacts adolescents’ utilization of health care. One study includes participants ages 15 to 98 years and only two studies focusing on this issue in samples primarily of young adults attending college have been published. These studies found that victims utilize more health care than non-victims. Therefore, we lack a sufficient body of evidence to come to clear conclusions of how childhood abuse affects self-perceived health in adolescents and young adults. The general lack of evidence about both how childhood abuse impacts perception of health and utilization of health care in adolescents and young adults indicates a need for further study. Given that little is known about how to best identify an abuse history in adolescents and young adults and the impact of abuse on perception of health and utilization of health care, this dissertation pursued three aims: (1) to review the literature comparing modes of administration of screens to identify adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical and sexual abuse; (2) to investigate how different modes of administration of screens to identify adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical abuse within a primary care health setting compare to each other, and; (3) to examine the association of a history of childhood abuse (defined as none, physical only, and sexual with or without physical) with perceived health status and the health care utilization patterns among adolescents and young adults. For aim 1, a comprehensive literature review was conducted via PubMed of studies, published between January 1st, 1994 and December 31st, 2014 that compared modes of administration of screens to identify a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse in adolescents and young adults. Only one study was found. This study compared paper and pencil questionnaire, computer assisted survey, and face to face structured interview in the identification of childhood physical and sexual abuse among young adults in a college setting. No significant difference in the proportion of childhood physical abuse or childhood sexual abuse was identified by mode of administration. The identification through this search of only one study – which was conducted among college students, with no studies done among adolescents – shows a significant gap in our knowledge regarding this issue. Given that understanding how to identify childhood abuse is a critical issue, this gap is disturbing and underscores the need for studies of identification of childhood abuse to be a research priority. For aim 2, a sample of participants, ages 12-24 years, receiving health services at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center in New York City were randomized to one of four modes of administration to identify a history of childhood physical abuse. The four modes of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse were paper and pencil screen, Audio Computer Assisted Self Interview screen (ACASI), face to face structured screen and face to face unstructured interview. The full sample also completed measures to assess demographic characteristics and to screen for depression symptoms. Of the sample, 44.5% of the participants disclosed childhood physical abuse. There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of childhood physical abuse identified according to mode of administration: face to face unstructured interview identified the highest proportion of childhood physical abuse victims, followed by face to face structured screen. After adjusting for age, gender, race/ethnicity, depression, living arrangement and last grade completed, the odds of identifying physical abuse was 1.6 (95%CI: 1.0, 2.7) and 4.5 (95%CI: 2.6, 7.8) greater for face to face structured screen and for face to face unstructured interview, respectively as compared to paper and pencil screen. ACASI and paper and pencil were similar to each other but inferior to the face to face methods. For aim 3, in addition to what was measured for aim 2, the sample completed measures on a history of childhood sexual abuse and perceived health and health care utilization. The sample was then categorized into three groups: no abuse, physical abuse only, and sexual abuse with or without physical abuse. The association of childhood abuse status with perceived health and health care utilization were examined. There was no statistical significant association between a history of childhood abuse status and perceived health. However, the odds of reporting a fair/poor perception of health among those reporting childhood abuse were at least 40% lower regardless of whether the abuse was physical (OR: 0.60; 95%CI: 0.3,1.2) or sexual (OR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.2,1.1). No significant association was found between childhood abuse status and health care utilization. However, the odds of victims reporting using urgent care only versus routine care only were at least 10% lower regardless of whether the abuse was physical (OR: 0.50; 95%CI: 0.3, 1.1) or sexual (OR: 0.90; 95%CI: 0.4,1.9). The odds of reporting using both urgent and routine care versus routine care only was similar between victims and non-victims for physical abuse (OR: 1.0; 95%CI: 0.6, 1.5) and was 30% higher for victims of sexual abuse (OR: 1.3; 95%CI: 0.8, 2.2). The findings from the three aims examined identified significant gaps in our knowledge on childhood abuse among adolescents and young adults suggesting an urgent need for further research. While much research has focused on the impact of childhood abuse on health and well-being, aim 1 reveals that little is known about which mode of administration of screens to identify childhood abuse is most effective in the identification of childhood abuse in adolescent and young adults. Furthermore, we know even less about what modes of administration of screens might be practical in primary care settings, or what must be done to improve the level of screening for childhood abuse by physicians and other health care providers. Although the findings from aim 2 suggest that face to face modes of administration are most effective in screening for childhood physical abuse in primary care settings, further studies are needed to support these findings. In addition, there is a need for studies that examine what are the best methods to use to identify childhood sexual abuse in primary care settings. The findings from aim 3 suggest that adolescents and young adults with a history of childhood physical and sexual abuse, receiving health care at the Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center, do not perceive their health as worse than non-victims nor do they appear to utilize health care differently from non-victims. These findings contrast with results from prior studies of perceived health status and health care utilization among adolescents and young adult childhood abuse victims. Understanding how abuse impacts both the perception of health and health care utilization will be crucial in the development of interventions to identify and support adolescent and young adult victims of childhood physical and sexual abuse.

No description available.