CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN CROATIA: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF RESEARCH

A systematic review of child sexual abuse (CSA) research in Croatia is conducted in order to detect CSA studies published since 1990 and research trends, to develop a framework of CSA research, to identify seminal studies, authors, dominant research focus, perspective and participants, to evaluate methodological approaches, research design, CSA conceptualisation, instruments, sampling methods, and to establish what we know so far about CSA in Croatia. International and Croatian databases were searched using keywords in the following order: WOS, Scopus, EBSCO Discovery Service, Hrcak and Croatian scientific bibliography. The search was done in April 2017 on the basis of a priori study selection criteria for the time period 1990 to 2016. In order to estimate the quality of the existing CSA research, different types of studies are evaluated according to research methods. The systematic review included 26 CSA research projects in Croatia published in English and Croatian language that meet the eligibility criteria, or 23 unique ones when validation studies are excluded. The framework of CSA research in Croatia is developed and the main findings highlighted: (1) CSA prevalence research in the population using anonymous self-reports (n = 7); (2) CSA research with helping professionals working with children (n = 9); (3) research of reported and confirmed CSA cases (n = 7). Research gaps and recommendations for further research and practice are emphasised.