Factors influencing children to self-disclose sexual abuse

Abstract

Self-disclosure by victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) is critical to initiate legal and therapeutic intervention. Unfortunately, research indicates that lengthy delays in disclosure and even nondisclosure are common. A comprehensive review of the clinical and research literature on CSA and an overview of related bodies of literature was conducted. Areas addressed include the context of sexual abuse as it relates to disclosure, the context and elements of children's disclosures, motivational factors inhibiting disclosure, and models of the disclosure process. Ancillary and analogue research on secrecy and disclosure are also reviewed. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

The Disclosure Experiences of Male Child Sexual Abuse Survivors

“…One element however, did diverge somewhat from the literature; while children and teenagers are believed to disclose more often to friends than parents (Schönbucher, et al, 2012), at least half of the participants who disclosed before the age of 18 told their mothers first. Delaying disclosure was found to be quite common for victims of CSA, and while some tell a little later in childhood several will only disclose years later once they have reached adulthood (Alaggia, 2010;Alaggia, & Kirshenbaum, 2005;Goodman-Brown, Edelstein, Goodman, Jones, & Gordon, 2003;McElvaney, Greene, & Hogan, 2012;O'Leary, & Barber, 2008;Paine, & Hansen, 2002;Ullman, 2003). The literature on delayed disclosure concurred with the results of the study since all the participants waited some amount of time before disclosing their abuse and only a minority of participants actually disclosed in childhood.…”

“…The authors further explained that due to the notion that men should be able to defend themselves against sexual abuse, those that do not manage to escape it, in some underlying way must have consented, and therefore their sexual orientation is sometimes put into question. Homophobia helps perpetuate an atmosphere of judgment, which only contributes to the shame and invisibility of male victims (Alaggia, 2010;Davies, & Rogers, 2006;Dorahy, & Clearwater, 2012;Hunter, 2011;Paine, & Hansen, 2002;Valente, 2005). Diamanduros, et al (2012) noted that the invisibility of male victims was fuelled by fears of being seen as weak or as a homosexual since "in our society, males are socialized to be dominant, independent, powerful, aggressive, and authoritarian" (p. 132).…”

“…! 2012;O'Leary, & Barber, 2008;Paine, & Hansen, 2002;Ullman, 2003). Children and teenagers who do disclose will generally tell peers more often than they will tell parents or any other adults (Schönbucher, Maier, Mohler-Kuo, Schnyder, & Landolt, 2012).…”

“…In addition, by not disclosing the abuse, victims are not made aware of services and cannot receive the proper support and intervention from professionals (Sorsoli, et al, 2008). Similarly, Paine, and Hansen (2002) explained that disclosure of CSA was important as it allowed for both treatment to be possible and an investigation to begin. The authors further noted that without disclosure, the child…”

“…It was found that the investigation process combined with the shock of the disclosure placed families in extremely stressful situations (Kuehnle, & Connell, 2010). Children rarely realize, prior to disclosing, the extent of chaos it can create (Finkel, 2012); the entire process has the potential to provoke full-blown crises due to the high levels of distress it engendered for families (Tavker, & Hansen, 2011;Paine, & Hansen, 2002;Ullman, 2003). Disclosure of CSA was also found to lead to several other challenging family situations, ranging from threats from certain members, to complete 17!…”