Sexual Abuse Knowledge and Its Relationship with Self Confidence and Assertiveness Skills among Young Adolescent Girls

Sexual Abuse against girl children is a Human Rights violation seen across the globe. Adolescents may be misinformed or mislead on facts about Sexual abuse having their own perception on the issue. This study investigates the sexual abuse knowledge of adolescent girls and their levels of Self confidence and Assertiveness skills. Respondents opinion on their reactions to some Sexual abuse situations was also gathered. Four selected High Schools of Mangalore city was the study population.100 respondents i. e.25 girl children from each school were identified using simple random sampling method. Descriptive research design, structured questionnaires (self prepared and validated) to assess the knowledge on Sexual abuse and measure the Level of Self Confidence and Assertiveness was used. Semi structured questionnaire to find adolescents opinion on their responses to sexual abuse situations was used. Nearly half the respondents knowledge on Sexual abuse was poor. Opinion on their reactions to sexual abuse situations revealed to some extent assertive reactions as well as some runaway reactions. Moderate Level of self Confidence and Assertiveness scores of respondents was seen. Significant association between Knowledge and Assertiveness scores as well as Knowledge and Self confidence scores was seen. Study suggests need to conduct Sexual Abuse awareness& self confidence and assertiveness skills training.