A new study from the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine has uncovered a worrying link between being raised in a single-parent household and the risk of suffering childhood sexual abuse. Reporting his findings in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, William C. Holmes said that an increased risk of sexual abuse must now be added to the burden that single-parent households carry. Additionally, it was found that the risk for abuse in one-parent homes was higher in lower income groups than it was in the higher income groups.
"There is definitely something about being raised by one-parent that independently contributes to the higher risk for sexual abuse. While children from lower income one-parent households are at a higher risk, better socioeconomics of the household don't make the risk go away completely," said Holmes, adding that there may be a psychological and emotional aspect involved in the increased risk.
He speculates that because single-parent homes are likely to have the parent absent a good portion of the time, children will likely be looking for an adult to bond with, to share experiences with. "Predators are pretty good at finding and grooming these sorts of kids," said Holmes. "They set children up over time, earn their trust, act as parent-substitutes by giving them attention and sometimes gifts."
Additionally, when low socioeconomic status is added to the mix, the likelihood for a predator having easy access to emotionally-needy children is increased by the type of childcare facilities available to children of low-income, single-parents. Oftentimes, speculates Holmes, a single-parent just has to trust that all is okay, and trust is not as thorough as a background check.
Related links:
Caution Urged On Child Abuse Identification
Sexual Dysfunction Associated With Childhood Sexual Abuse
Source: University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
