IMPACT OF COVID-19 QUARANTINE ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: EXPERIENCE OF CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER/COVID-19 IZOLASYON DONEMINDE COCUK CINSEL ISTISMARI: COCUK IZLEM MERKEZI DENEYIMI

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the characteristics of child sexual abuse reports and the affecting factors during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. Materials and Methods: The study included 506 children and adolescents admitted to the Child Advocacy Center (CAC). Case and control groups were determined according to the time of admission (first 15 months of the pandemic and 15 months before the pandemic). The data were obtained by retrospectively examining the files, forensic investigation reports, family evaluation reports, and other documents in the files of the children in the legal process. Result: Cases applied to CAC during the pandemic decreased by 16 percent. Sexual abuse reported by teachers and professionals such as public servants decreased from 30% to 4.7%. However, abuse through online platforms doubled. Finally, recurrent domestic abuse increased significantly during quarantine (p