Intersectoral professionals' understanding of the prevention of sexual violence against children, their role and that of the GP: A study using semi-structured interviews: Prevention of sexual violence against children.

Abstract

Background: In 2020, the WHO reported a European prevalence of 9.6 % of sexual abuse among children, and called on every country to improve prevention of such violence.

Objective: To explore the understanding of an intersectional sample of professionals of their role and that of the general practitioner (GP) in the primary and secondary prevention of sexual violence against children (SVAC).

Methods and settings: This qualitative, exploratory study was conducted in France. It followed COREQ criteria and ethical approval was obtained. Semi-structured interviews were conducted between February and October 2022 with intersectoral professionals involved in the identification and management of SVAC. The analysis was inspired by grounded theory.

Results: Thirteen professionals (from the media, healthcare, justice, police, education and social welfare sectors) shared their views regarding SVAC prevention. The notion that SVAC is a societal taboo recurred throughout the study. The content of participants' discussions about prevention could be divided into four categories: (1) Intersectoral professionals' understanding of prevention, prevention means talking about it; (2) Two, contrasting understandings of prevention and roles; (3) Putting primary and secondary SVAC prevention into practice; (4) The GP's role in SVAC prevention. The GP's role in SVAC prevention was perceived to, above all, involve screening and reporting. Primary prevention measures by GPs appeared to be less obvious.

Discussion: Our study reinforces the need and usefulness of intersectoral collaboration to improve SVAC prevention. It is in the interests of every professional to be appropriately trained, and to understand the roles of the various stakeholders, in order to work together.

Conclusion: While the WHO has called upon the healthcare sector to coordinate intersectoral collaboration for the prevention of SVAC, professionals, (including GPs) must be supported in order to systematically integrate prevention into the monitoring of children.