Growing up in Las Vegas: Risk for Child Maltreatment

• In Event: Poster Session

Abstract

The objective of this poster was to explore the rates of sexual abuse and other types of child abuse experienced by Las Vegas students. Las Vegas, while a preferred adult vacation destination, has some high risk challenges for local youth and families. Prior research has shown elevated rates of sexual assault are reported by Las Vegas college students. The risk of sexual victimization during childhood has not yet been analyzed for local residents. Over 860 students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas were given the Child Abuse and Trauma Scale (CATS; Sanders & Becker-Lausen, 1995). The CATS is a 38-item self-report measure of childhood sexual abuse, childhood punishment/physical abuse, neglect, and emotional abuse (Kent & Waller, 1998). Self-reported rates of childhood maltreatment were compared by demographic characteristics such as gender. Females reported higher levels of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Results were contrasted to child maltreatment results reported in prior CATS research in the US and internationally.

Authors

• Roma Patel, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Jonathan Birds, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

• Margaret Alexis Kennedy, University of Nevada, Las Vegas