Address of Corresponding Author

Psychopathology 2006;39:69-74 (DOI: 10.1159/000090595)

  Key Words

• Sexual abuse
• Seasonality
• Chile

  Abstract

Background: Seasonal variations of sexual crime have been seldom studied in the world. Santiago, a city situated at 33° south latitude with a well defined four season climate, has a reliable forensic registry, providing a good opportunity for the assessment of seasonality in this type of crime. Materials and Methods: After studying monthly records of sexual abuse from the registry of the Servicio Médico Legal of Santiago between 1990 and 2001, a ratio of observed to expected monthly frequency was obtained, allowing the assessment of the seasonal character of the phenomenon. Results: A total number of 11,844 cases of sexual abuse were recorded during 12 years of the study. Statistically significant differences could be demonstrated between spring and autumn, with a peak in November and a nadir in June. Conclusions: A distinct seasonal pattern can be set forth for sexual abuse in Santiago, Chile.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Carlos Téllez, MD
Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile
Avenida La Paz 1003
Recoleta, Santiago (Chile)
Tel. +56 2 978 8601, Fax +56 2 777 6786, E-Mail sdiaz@redclinicauchile.cl

  Article Information

Received: March 6, 2004
Accepted after revision: March 1, 2005
Published online: January 2, 2006
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 27