Child Sexual Abuse - Estimated Magnitude and Current Responses

Using the available studies and materials relevant to child sexual abuse (CSA), this literature review investigates the scope of CSA in Vietnam, the vulnerability of Vietnamese children as well as the possibilities to improve CSA identification and prevention. The results show that the magnitude of CSA is substantial in Vietnam. There was a huge discrepancy between the number of reported cases and the estimated incidents. It could be said that CSA is largely hidden in Vietnam. There exists individual, relationship, community and societal risk factors for CSA victimization in Vietnam. The existing CSA identification and prevention are far from sufficient. There is a shortage of human resources, legal documents, guidelines. The result suggests that improving the policy, legal environment is really in need, especially with emphasis on promoting CSA researches, rehabilitation care, social marketing, developing monitoring and evaluation system to prevent CSA from the first place and to reduce the negative consequences on victims, their families and society at large.