Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse: What Does the Research Tell Us About the Ways That Children Tell?

Abstract

The empirical basis for the child sexual abuse accommodation syndrome (CSAAS), a theoretical model that posits that sexually abused children frequently display secrecy, tentative disclosures, and retractions of abuse statements was reviewed. Two data sources were evaluated: retrospective studies of adults' reports of having been abused as children and concurrent or chart-review studies of children undergoing evaluation or treatment for sexual abuse. The evidence indicates that the majority of abused children do not reveal abuse during childhood. However, the evidence fails to support the notion that denials, tentative disclosures, and recantations characterize the disclosure patterns of children with validated histories of sexual abuse. These results are discussed in terms of their implications governing the admissibility of expert testimony on CSAAS. Although it is widely acknowledged that the sexual assault of children is a major societal concern, it is not known how many children are victims of sexual abuse in the United States (Ceci & Friedman, 2000). There are two major reasons for this lack of data. First, present estimates of the incidence of child sexual abuse (CSA) are primarily based on reports received and validated by child protection agencies. These figures, however, do not reflect the number of unreported cases or the number of cases reported to other types of agencies (e.g., sheriff's offices) and professionals (e.g., mental health diversion programs). Second, the accuracy of diagnosis of CSA is often difficult because definitive medical or physical evidence is lacking or inconclusive in the vast majority of cases (Bays & Chadwick, 1993; Berenson, Heger, & Andrews, 1991), and because there are no gold standard psychological symptoms specific to sexual abuse (Kendall-Tacket,

Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adult Physical and Dental Health Outcomes

“…There is significant literature that addresses the notion that when one is supported and believed by family members, the ability to heal and begin the recovery process has a better prognosis (London, Bruck, Ceci, & Shuman, 2005;Priebe & Svedin, 2008). The manner in which the family responds to disclosure is also important.…”

Develación de las Agresiones Sexuales: Estudio de Caracterización de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes Chilenos

“…En gran parte de los casos que logran ser denunciados se cuenta con escasa e inconclusa evidencia física y médica de la agresión sexual, así como tampoco existen síntomas psicológicos patognomónicos de esta, lo que genera que su evaluación sea muy difícil para los profesionales (Berenson, Heger & Andrews, 1991;London, Bruck, Ceci & Shuman, 2005). La develación es relevante ya que, entre otros aspectos, se constituye en evidencia fundamental para los procesos judiciales, aporta información en cuanto a cómo se detuvo tal experiencia, los factores y personas que se ven involucrados en este proceso y las razones que dificultan a los niños develar.…”

“…Así, la develación representa un punto de inflexión en el proceso experimentado por el niño, en tanto el abuso sale del secreto y se detiene (Anderson & Hiersteiner, 2008;de la Cerda Paolinelli, Moncada Arenas & Sandoval Gómez, 2006). Se han llevado a cabo diversos estudios a nivel internacional en relación al proceso de develación, es decir, a cómo, cuándo, a quién y por qué los niños develan (Alaggia, 2004;Collings, Griffiths & Kumalo, 2005;Foynes, Freyd & DePrince, 2009;Goodman-Brown et al, 2003;Hershkowitz, Horowitz & Lamb, 2005;Hershkowitz, Lanes & Lamb, 2007;Kogan, 2004;London et al, 2005;Paine & Hansen, 2002;Plummer, 2006;Priebe & Svedin, 2008). A nivel latinoamericano se encontraron escasas publicaciones al respecto.…”

Protecting Well-Being While Pursuing Justice

“…Children who do not receive maternal support during legal proceedings function significantly more poorly over time (Goodman et al, 1992). Similarly, children who receive maternal support are likely to disclose sexual abuse earlier and experience less distress (Elliott & Briere, 1994;London, Bruck, Ceci, & Shuman, 2005;Olafson & Lederman, 2006;Shaw, Lewis, Loeb, Rosado, & Rodriguez, 2001). Previous research has found that children's perceptions of the legal process may very well be mediated by the perceptions of their caretakers (Goodpr o t e C t i n g W e l l -Be i n g W h i l e p u r S u i n g Ju S t i C e 113 man et al, 1992).…”