Caregiver support in child sexual abuse : an investigation into factors that impact delays of disclosure
Date
2019
Authors
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Publisher
University of British Columbia
Abstract
Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) is a pervasive and devastating offence estimated to impact
12% of children globally (Stoltenborgh, van IJzendoorn, Euser, & Bakermans-Kranenburg,
2011). For perpetrator conviction or disruption of contact, victim testimony is often required in
leu of physical evidence (Tashjian, Goldfarb, Goodman, Quas, & Edelstein, 2016). However,
disclosure of CSA can be difficult as children face multiple barriers to reporting abuse. Victim
characteristics such as age and gender impact disclosure (Lippert, Cross, Jones, & Walsh, 2009;
Leach, Powell, Sharman, & Anglim, 2017), as well as abuse-specific factors (e.g., relation to
perpetrator, severity and frequency of abuse; Hershkowitz, Lanes, & Lamb, 2007). Nonoffending caregiver support has been shown to mitigate the adverse psychological outcomes of
abuse (e.g., Bolen, & Lamb, 2008) and may also increase disclosure in investigative interviews.
Although these factors have been studied in relation to rates of disclosure, relatively little is
known about their impact on delays in reporting CSA. Research was conducted through special
access to classified RCMP case files on CSA. All predictors were found to significantly impact
delays of disclosure. Contrary to previous studies (Lippert et al., 2009) as age increased or if
victims were female, delays of disclosure decreased. Alternatively, if abuse was more severe,
occurred at a higher frequency, or if perpetrators were more closely related, delays of disclosure
increased. Unique to the current study severity and frequency of abuse were measured and
considered separately. Finally, non-offending caregiver support was found to be a protective
factor and as levels of support increased so did the likelihood of disclosure. The current study
provides potential for tailored approaches according to individual needs and vulnerabilities in
CSA investigations and treatments. It also demonstrates the need for supportive programs
created for caregivers whose families have been impacted by CSA.
Description
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Keywords
child sexual abuse, services, support, disclosure, caregivers, International Resources, Canada
Citation
Wallis, C. R. (2019). Caregiver support in child sexual abuse: an investigation into factors that impact delays of disclosure (Doctoral dissertation, University of British Columbia).