Forensic medical examinations: The body as gateway to healing after child sexual abuse

Keeffe, Noelle O'; McElvaney, Rosaleen

doi:10.1002/car.2750

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…While young people in this study overcame their initial reluctance to engage, the language used in describing this initial reluctance ‘sending you’ raises questions about how being brought to therapy was at times experienced as another imposition, similar to the abuse itself. O’Keeffe & McElvaney ( 2022 ) have reported how adolescents’ experiences of the forensic medication examination was experienced as a reenactment of the abuse experience, even in the context where these young people found the experience beneficial and reassuring.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adolescents’ experiences of psychotherapy following child sexual abuse

McElvaney,

Monaghan,

Treacy

et al. 2023

RES PSYCHOTHER-PSYCH

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The aim of this study was to explore adolescents’ experiences of psychotherapy following sexual abuse, complementing those studies that focus on outcomes and measurement of symptom change across the course of therapy and building on recent studies that focus on the process of psychotherapy for young people who have experienced sexual abuse, from their perspective. Recent reviews have highlighted the need for tailored approaches to therapy. Research is needed that focuses on young people’s experiences of therapy to help develop such tailored approaches. In this study, 16 young people aged 15-18 years who were attending specialist sexual violence therapeutic services were interviewed. Using thematic analysis, six themes were identified as reflecting their experiences of therapy following sexual abuse. Young people spoke of not wanting to attend; the importance of choice and not feeling pressured in both initially attending and in how the therapy unfolded; how helpful it was to talk; the centrality of the relationship with their therapist; the benefit of attending a specialist service; how helpful it was when the therapist explained things; and finally, the coping skills they learned in the therapeutic work. A key learning from the study is the importance of respecting young people's autonomy following such violations of trust and psychological integrity. The study highlights how engagement in therapy may be experienced as a re-enactment of an experience that was forced on the young person. Further qualitative research exploring this phenomenon could guide therapists on how to minimise such re-enactments in therapeutic work.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%