Exploring the disclosure of child sexual abuse with alleged victims and their parents
Abstract
Objective The goal of the present study was to examine how children disclosed sexual abuse by alleged perpetrators who were not family members. Methodology Thirty alleged victims of sexual abuse and their parents were interviewed. The children were interviewed using the NICHD Investigative Interview Protocol by six experienced youth investigators. The same principles were followed when the parents were asked to describe in detail what had happened since the abusive incidents. The statements made by the children and parents were then content analyzed. Major characteristics of the children's and parents' reported behaviors were identified by two independent raters. Findings More than half (53%) of the children delayed disclosure for between 1 week and 2 years, fewer than half first disclosed to their parents, and over 40% did not disclose spontaneously but did so only after they were prompted; 50% of the children reported feeling afraid or ashamed of their parents' responses, and their parents indeed tended to blame the children or act angrily. The disclosure process varied depending on the children's ages, the severity and frequency of abuse, the parents' expected reactions, the suspects' identities, and the strategies they had used to foster secrecy. Conclusions The children's willingness to disclose abuse to their parents promptly and spontaneously decreased when they expected negative reactions, especially when the abuse was more serious. A strong correlation between predicted and actual parental reactions suggested that the children anticipated their parents' likely reactions very well.
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In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), there was a strong correlation between predicted and actual parental reactions, suggesting children anticipated their parents' likely reactions accurately.
“There was a strong correlation between predicted and actual parental reactions suggesting children anticipated their parents’ likely reactions accurately.”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), 47% of children first disclosed to siblings or friends, 43% first disclosed to their parents, and 10% first disclosed to another adult.
“recipient of disclosure: 47% of children first disclosed to siblings or friends, 43% first disclosed to their parents, and 10% first disclosed to another adult.”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), 57% of the children spontaneously disclosed abuse, but 43% disclosed only after they were prompted.
“57% of the children spontaneously disclosed abuse, but 43% disclosed only after they were prompted.”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), 53% of the children delayed disclosure for between 1 week and 2 years.
“delayed 53% of the children delayed disclosure for between 1 week and 2 years;”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), the focus is on extrafamilial CSA, which may differ from disclosure patterns of intrafamilial CSA.
“Focus is on extrafamilial CSA which may differ than disclosure patterns of intrafamilial CSA.”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), parents' reactions were supportive (37%) and unsupportive (63%).
“Parents’ reactions: supportive (37%) and unsupportive (63%).”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), disclosure processes varied depending on the children's ages, severity and frequency of abuse, parents' expected reactions, suspects' identities, and strategies used to foster secrecy.
“Disclosure processes varied depending on the children’s ages (e.g., younger children disclosed to parents), severity and frequency of abuse, parents’ expected reactions, suspects’ identities, and strategies used to foster secrecy”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
In Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007), 50% of the children reported feeling afraid or ashamed of their parents' responses.
“50% of the children reported feeling afraid or ashamed of their parents’ responses.”
From Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000–2016) (2019) · cites this paper as Hershkowitz, Lanes, and Lamb (2007)
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- Authors
- Hershkowitz, I., Lanes, O., & Lamb, M. E.
- Affiliations
- University of Haifa (IL)
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- University of Cambridge (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Hershkowitz, Irit
- Venue
- Child Abuse & Neglect
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2007-02
- Volume
- 31
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 111-123
- ISSN
- 0145-2134 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W1995449367
- Cited by
- 400
- References
- 62
- Citations by year
- 2026: 15 · 2025: 13 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 20 · 2022: 24 · 2021: 32 · 2020: 28 · 2019: 27 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 36 · 2016: 29 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 25 · 2013: 16 · 2012: 16
- FWCI
- 11.28
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Child Abuse & Neglect (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Deception detection and forensic psychology
- Keywords
- child sexual abuse, disclosure, delayed disclosure, parental reactions, shame, fear, secrecy, child victims, abuse severity
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Child, Child Abuse, Sexual, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Interviews as Topic, Israel, Male, Parents, Truth Disclosure, Crime Victims
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