The Rape by Family Members in Middle Income Backgrounds - Essay Example

Prevalence, Causes, and Consequences of Rape of Underage Girls by Family Members in Middle Income Backgrounds Child sexual abuse is a common prevalence within many families. Though the male child may be a victim of sexual abuse in middle income backgrounds in the United States, most of the victims are girls with the perpetrator being the male parent. Other male family members or family friends may also constitute the perpetrators. These rape or sexual abuse incidents typically occur without the knowledge of other family members.

There is a wide array of factors that contribute to these cases. The perpetrator takes advantage of the trust that exists between them and the child. Rape is a major problem that cuts across the socio-economic divide. In addition, girls raped by their fathers come from different geographical, religious affiliations, and cultural backgrounds. There is no single factor that can be attributed to rape against the girl child. It is usually a combination of factors. The literature review will involve an analysis of research articles that focuses on girls raped by their immediate family members, the attributing factors, and how they are affected.