Career Development and Educational Status of the Sexual Abuse Victims: The First Data from Turkey

• DOI: 10.1007/s12310-018-9274-3
• Publication Date: 2018-05-18T08:15:54Z
• Authors: Nilüfer Koçtürk; Özlem Ulaş; Çilem Bilginer
• Keywords: 5. Gender equality; Career-related problem; Sexual abuse; 4. Education; 05 social sciences; Career dreams; 0501 psychology and cognitive sciences; Academic success; 16. Peace & justice; Dropping out; School problem

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is not only a serious danger for children and families, but it is also a problem that concerns society economically and spiritually. The aim of this study is to examine career choices and educational problems of individuals who have experienced CSA. Participants of this study consist of 73 CSA victims. The data have been collected via a telephone survey. According to the findings, 83.6% of the victims attended their formal education during the time they reported CSA, and only 38 participants (51%) continued into higher education. Also, it was determined that approximately 51% of them dropped out of school, and 72% of them experienced problems at school due to CSA. When the victims’ reasons for dropping out of school were examined before and after CSA, it was seen that victims dropped out of school due to CSA (44.2%) mostly. In addition to these, it was found that approximately 25% of victims could not concentrate on classes, 56% of them had a drop in their academic success, 30% of them were reluctant to go to school or had absence, 25% of them repeated a grade, and 23% of them switched schools. Also, it was determined that 56.2% of the participants wanted to continue their education. Findings were discussed in the light of relevant literature.