Childhood sexual abuse perceptions and experience among college students of Panchkula

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a global public health and human rights concern. Hence, the present study was conducted to assess childhood sexual abuse perception and experience among college students of Panchkula. METHODOLOGY: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire which assessed perception and experiences of childhood sexual abuse was given to a convenient sample of 1000 college students. Using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test, perception and the experience of childhood sexual abuse were calculated. RESULTS: The study showed that 18% (boys = 20%, girls = 16%) of the students were exposed to CSA, with boys more often affected than girls. The student's perception about abuse was not very clear. Myths and cultural beliefs justified abuse. CONCLUSION: Although preliminary in nature, the present findings are among the first to demonstrate the nature of CSA among students of Panchkula. Further, the study revealed that CSA manifests both as contact and noncontact forms. More boys than girls are exposed to most forms of abuse.