Child Sexual Abuse: The Lebanese Situation

This study was envisioned by KAFA in partnership with Save the Children Sweden following the encounter with several child sexual abuse victims at the end of the July 2006 war. It has been implemented in collaboration with the Higher Council for Childhood (HCC), the Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), the Development Community Centers, Arab International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (ARABISPCAN), the Rene Mouawad Foundation (Access MENA Project), World Vision Area Development Programs in Bourj Hammoud and Bekaa, in addition to Child Protection NGOs. This study examines Child Sexual Abuse in Lebanon by 1) assessing the magnitude of CSA, 2) identifying its predisposing factors and drawing a profile of children who may be at risk of victimization, and 3) assessing the effect of the July 2006 war on the prevalence of CSA. The research covered several areas in Lebanon and included two major components: a cross-sectional survey of children aged 8 to 17 years, and examine objectively a problem that is currently cast in the shadows for being considered 'taboo'. Furthermore, this research will set a national strategy to address CSA in Lebanon and lay out recommendations for reducing its occurrence especially under emergency situations, including war.