Scholieren over Kindermishandeling: Het VU-PI Research Onderzoek

Abstract

In a study of the Vrije Universiteit and PI Research in Amsterdam the prevalence and incidence of sexual and physical abuse has been studied in a group of 1.845 Dutch students in secondary schools. 37% of the students reported at least one experience with abuse in their lifetime. 19,5% reported such an experience during the preceding year. With respect to sexual abuse these figures are respectively 8% and 4.4%. Almost 1% reported frequent and long lasting experience with almost every form of abuse (poly victims). These outcomes have been criticized by researchers of Leiden University, who found lower figures in a parallel study in which professionals such as police officers, teachers, health officials had been the informants instead of the youth themselves. The Amsterdam researchers respond to these criticisms and reflect on what they consider as hazards and weaknesses in the approach of the Leiden study.