Children's Disclosure of Sexual Abuse Test 7

Disclosure

Reporting of a child to another individual that they are being/have been sexually abused or maltreated

Delayed Disclosure

Delay in the reporting of sexual maltreatment to another individual

Do children immediately disclose sexual abuse

No, very high rates of delayed disclosure

Studies reveal that anywhere from?

55% to 90% of children who SA’d delayed their disclosure

Mediating factors in delayed disclosure

Fear

Age

Relationship to the perpetrator

Duration of the abuse

Fear of

Harm

Loss of affection

Consequences

Negative reactions

Not being believed

Shame and guilt

Relationship to the perpetrator

Critical to childs sense of support

If perpetrator is known to the child, there is an increase in delay of disclosure

Whom does a child disclose?

To someone they trust

To someone they think will believe them

To peers

Gradual Disclosure

Children frequently do not give the whole story when they initially disclose

Blending of memories

Age

Number of events

Time period of events

length of time from events

How important is treatment

Children often reveal more events (gradual disclosure) while in supportive treatment

Recantation

withdrawing or retracting a statement of abuse

Possible behavioral indicators of sexual abuse

Changes in sleep patterns

Nightmares

Changes in eating patterns

Increase in aggression

Depression

Anxiety

Fears

Sexualized behaviors