NCJ Number
235055
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2011 Pages: 343-352
Date Published
May 2011
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study investigated the factors that affect a child's reasons for disclosing incidences of sexual abuse.
Abstract
The study found that the reasons for a child's disclosure of sexual abuse fell into three distinct categories: internal stimuli such as nightmares; outside influences such as being questioned by authorities; or disclosure as a result of direct evidence of abuse such as the abuse being witnessed by others. The study also found that barriers for disclosing the sexual abuse fell into five categories: 1) threats made by the perpetrator against the child; 2) fear on the part of the child that something bad would happen if the abuse was disclosed; 3) lack of opportunity for disclosure; 4) lack of understanding that the abusive behavior was unacceptable behavior; and 5) the existence of a relationship between the perpetrator and the child. The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence a child's decision to disclose incidences of sexual abuse. These factors can be useful in for investigators and prosecutors working on cases of child sexual abuse. Data for the study were obtained from forensic interviews of child sexual abuse victims, aged 3-18, in which the children spoke about their reasons for disclosing or waiting to disclose the incidences of sexual abuse. The study findings indicate that children's decisions to disclose incidences of child sexual abuse are varied and that barriers exist which may prevent or delay the timely reporting of the incident. Implications for investigators, prosecutors, and those who care for sexually abuse children are discussed. Tables and references