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In Québec, between 2008 and 2009, nearly 18,000 children aged 12 and younger were victims of maltreatment1 :
- Neglect
- Psychological maltreatment
- Physical abuse
- Behavioural problems
- Sexual abuse
- Abandonment
According to a Québec study on childhood physical, psychological and sexual violence, one out of three persons was a victim of one form of violence, 12% were victims of two forms of violence and 4% were victims of all three forms of violence during their childhood.2
Child sexual abuse victims may experience a variety of after-effects, including post-traumatic stress symptoms, depression, drug or alcohol abuse, revictimisation, sexual problems and suicidal tendencies. While after-effects may be felt in the short, moderate or long term, it is essential that proper specialized services be offered to victims.
A large proportion of the children receiving services at the Centre d’expertise Marie-Vincent have also experienced other forms of maltreatment in addition to sexual abuse.
1- Les Centres jeunesse du Québec (2009). Depuis 30 ans, des générations d’enfants protégés. Bilan des Directeurs de la protection de la jeunesse. Directeurs provinciaux.
2- Bouchard, E.M., Tourigny, M., Joly, J., Hébert, M. &Cyr, M. (2008). Les conséquences à long terme de la violence sexuelle, physique et psychologique vécue pendant l’enfance. Revue d’Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique, 56, 333-344.
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