NCJ Number
150387
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 3 Dated: (September 1994) Pages: 307-326
Date Published
1994
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Most research on disclosing child sexual abuse has explored childhood disclosure or nondisclosure as a way to end the abuse. This study focuses on a broad range of childhood disclosures as well as adulthood disclosures, and the effects of these repeated disclosures throughout the victims' lives.
Abstract
A sample of 48 female and 12 male survivors of childhood sexual abuse were interviewed regarding their disclosures to family members, helping professionals, friends, and others. Six motivations for disclosure were identified: in order to stop the abuse, to gain intimacy with recipient, to gather support or help with abuse-related problems, to respond to an evocative experience, to respond to someone's encouragement, and to respond to a direct confrontation on the part of the recipient. The findings indicated that children may be risking a negative response when disclosing their abuse and that adults, who are perhaps better able to choose appropriate recipients, meet with more helpful responses. The results showed no significant associations between number of disclosures, number of positive disclosures, and adult socioemotional functioning. 4 tables and 49 references