Child Abuse and Neglect in Van Province: A Sociological and Statistical Evaluation.

Child neglect and abuse remain a serious concern worldwide, touching on emotional, physical, sexual, and social dimensions of children's lives. This study set out to examine the current situation in Van province through a mixed-method design, with particular attention to differences by gender and age. Secondary analysis was conducted on TURKSTAT data covering 2018-2022. Because institutional micro-data were inaccessible, in-depth interviews were carried out with seven field experts to capture regional dynamics. Quantitative results showed statistically significant associations (p < .001) between children's gender and their reasons for coming to security units, types of victimization, and alleged crime categories. The patterns predominantly featured children aged 15 to 17. Qualitatively, participants pointed out that official figures likely understate the real scope of abuse; family-related cases, in particular, tend to stay hidden behind cultural norms and social pressure. Perpetrators were said to come mostly from within the victim's own circle, and reporting was described as running into persistent sociocultural obstacles, such as stigma and fear of retaliation, which further complicate the victims' ability to seek help. Drawing on these findings, the study proposes measures aimed at raising public awareness, improving professional training, and strengthening child protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]