Peer-reviewed article
Overlooked and overexposed: a comparison of pregnancy outcomes in incestuous and non-incestuous sexual violence.
Özkök A, Şimşek Ü, Taş Torun Y ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined 986 sexual violence cases in Turkey between 2013 and 2022, with a focus on 18 pregnancies resulting from assault. Children and young adults with intellectual disabilities were found to be particularly vulnerable to pregnancy from sexual violence. Incestuous sexual violence was associated with significantly higher pregnancy rates, earlier onset, longer duration, and greater exposure to physical violence compared to non-incestuous cases. Pregnancies were often discovered after the legal abortion limit, and family members rarely reported incestuous pregnancies, with teachers and physicians playing key reporting roles instead.
Key points
- Incestuous sexual violence cases showed 14 times higher pregnancy rates than non-incestuous cases within the reported sexual violence sample
- Minors and young adults with intellectual disabilities were particularly vulnerable to pregnancy resulting from sexual violence
- Incestuous pregnancies had earlier onset, longer duration, and greater chronic exposure to physical violence compared to non-incestuous pregnancies
- Pregnancies were often detected beyond Turkey's 10-week abortion limit, with average detection at 15.3 weeks
- Teachers and physicians were key reporters of incestuous pregnancies rather than family members, with greater concealment in smaller settlements
Limitations
The study is retrospective and limited to reported cases in one Turkish city over a 10-year period, so findings may not represent all sexual violence cases or be generalizable to other regions. The small number of pregnancies (n=18) limits the statistical power and generalizability of comparisons between incestuous and non-incestuous pregnancy outcomes.
Abstract
Background One of the gravest consequences of sexual violence is pregnancy. This study aimed to determine the risk groups of sexual violence-related pregnancies and investigate the influence of intra- and extrafamilial sexual violence's different dynamics on pregnancies. Methods This study used a sample of 986 sexual violence cases and particularly 18 pregnancies resulting from these between 2013 and 2022 in Eskişehir, Türkiye. After categorizing the cases into two groups as incestuous or non-incestuous, descriptive, comparative, and correlational analyses were retrospectively employed across multiple parameters, including age groups, victim and perpetrator characteristics, assault features, and pregnancy outcomes. Results The incestuous group (n = 97) exhibited higher rates of child victimization (p < 0.001) and a greater likelihood of pregnancy within the sample of reported sexual violence cases (14 times higher than the non-incestuous group, n = 889, p < 0.001). Compared to the non-incestuous pregnancy cohort (n = 7), incestuous pregnancy cohort (n = 11) displayed earlier onset (p = 0.009), longer duration (p = 0.002), and greater chronic exposure to physical violence (p = 0.038). Regardless of incest, minors and young adults with intellectual disabilities were particularly vulnerable to pregnancy from sexual violence. Pregnancies were often detected beyond the national on-request abortion limit (10 weeks vs. 15.3 weeks average). Family members reported incestuous pregnancies less frequently; instead, teachers and physicians were key reporters. Findings suggested a more prevalent tendency in the study sample to conceal incestuous pregnancies in smaller settlements, as compared to cities. Conclusions The results suggested a heightened likelihood of pregnancy among vulnerable populations exposed to sexual violence, particularly in incestuous cases where the abuse follows prolonged and concealed patterns. Recommendations Legal frameworks should prioritize the physical and psychological well-being of sexual violence victims and ensure timely access for vulnerable populations to reproductive healthcare, including abortion services, as well as comprehensive medical, psychosocial, and long-term support. Targeted prevention strategies, public awareness campaigns, and educational programs should be implemented to highlight the unique vulnerabilities of incest victims, particularly children and individuals with intellectual disabilities. Such policy initiatives must consider the distinct characteristics and risk factors of incestuous and non-incestuous sexual violence.