Profile of sexual abuse among child survivors attending a tertiary health care centre.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a serious public health and social problem, causing severe physical, emotional, and psychosocial harm to survivors. This retrospective, record-based, cross-sectional study aimed to assess the profile of CSA among child survivors attending the One Stop Crisis Centre (OSCC) at a tertiary care hospital from 2016 to 2020 and to examine associated sociodemographic characteristics and risk factors. A total of 62 medicolegal records were analysed. The majority of survivors were adolescent girls aged 12-18 years (64.5%), while 35.5% were younger than 12 years, with most belonging to rural or lower-middle socioeconomic backgrounds. Over half of the children experienced abuse lasting more than one week (51.6%) and multiple episodes (51.6%). Penetrative assault was reported in 79% of cases, and revictimisation occurred in 50%. In 82.3% of incidents, the assailant was a known individual. Genital injuries were documented in 58.1% of survivors, and external physical injuries in 48.4%. The timing of examination was frequently delayed, with 75.8% of cases assessed more than 24 h after the incident. Police referrals accounted for 53.2% of cases, reflecting increasing awareness of the POCSO Act and child protection resources. These findings underscore that CSA predominantly affects adolescent girls, often involves known perpetrators, and is associated with repeated abuse and genital injuries. The study highlights the critical need for timely reporting, prompt forensic evaluation, and comprehensive multidisciplinary care. Strengthening awareness, prevention strategies, and child protection mechanisms is essential to reduce the burden of CSA and provide effective support for survivors.