Variables in delayed disclosure of childhood sexual abuse

Date

2001

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

American Journal of Orthopsychiatry

Abstract

Description

In a study of 41 adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, the level of childhood traumatization was found to have contributed to delayed disclosure of the abuse. Other delaying variables included: belief in the importance of obedience to grownups, mistrust of people, fear of social rejection, and fear of the criminal justice system. Variables such as media attention to similar cases and experiences of personal achievement were inversely related to the age at disclosure. Recommendations for policy are discussed.

Keywords

Abuse-sexual, Disclosure -- delayed, Research, Research -- statistics

Citation

DOI