Medico-legal characteristics of children examined for violence: A retrospective study in Marrakech, Morocco.

BACKGROUND

Violence against children is a severe and often underreported form of maltreatment that represents a major social concern with significant public health consequences. Its management requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure comprehensive medical, psychological, social, and legal protection.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological and medico-legal characteristics of child maltreatment cases examined in a forensic medicine department.

PARTICIPANTS AND

SETTING

A retrospective study was conducted on child victims referred to the forensic medicine department of a tertiary university hospital in Marrakech, Morocco, between January 2020 and December 2021.

METHODS

Data were anonymously collected from medical and medico-legal records using a standardized data extraction form. Descriptive and analytical statistical methods were applied to examine victim profiles, circumstances of violence, injury patterns, and medico-legal management.

RESULTS

The sample included 138 children (76 girls, 62 boys) with a mean age of 10.3 years; 75.5% were school-attending. Most consultations were spontaneous (77.5%), with a delay exceeding 72 h in 58% of cases. Parental toxic habits were reported in 9.5% of mothers and 50% of fathers. Perpetrators were predominantly adult males known to the child (88%). Sexual violence accounted for 75.7% of cases, mainly sexual touching, frequently occurring at home (30.6%) and in contexts of coercion or manipulation (61.4%). Physical injuries were observed in 28.3% of victims, mainly bruises and abrasions. Gynecological lesions were documented in 33.3% of girls, while anal lesions were noted in 17.8% of boys. All victims requiring follow-up were referred to specialized care structures.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings provide important medico-legal insights into victim profiles, perpetrator characteristics, and patterns of violence. Broader population-based studies are needed to improve understanding and prevention strategies.