WEEK 2: Disclosure, Denial & Recantation of Child Sexual Abuse

These flashcards cover key terminology and concepts related to the disclosure, denial, and recantation of child sexual abuse, aimed at helping students understand the complexities of the subject matter.

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS)

A theory that explains behaviors commonly seen in sexually abused children, including secrecy, helplessness, delayed disclosure, and retraction.

Secrecy

The expectation that children keep abuse a secret, leading to feelings of confusion and powerlessness.

Helplessness

The condition whereby a child feels dependent on their abuser for care, creating a profound sense of powerlessness.

Entrapment and Accommodation

A state where repeated abuse leads children to develop survival strategies, including self-blame.

Delayed Disclosure

The phenomenon where most child sexual abuse is disclosed long after it occurs, often met with skepticism.

Retraction

When a child who initially reports abuse later claims that it did not happen, often due to fear or pressure.

Survey Reluctance

A reluctance among some individuals to disclose their experiences of child sexual abuse on surveys.

Denial

When a child who has been abused answers “no” when directly asked about their abuse.

False Allegations

Reports of abuse that are found to be untrue; typically, a small percentage of all allegations.

Custody & Access Disputes

Situations where allegations of abuse arise amidst legal conflicts over child custody.

Veracity of Reports

The accuracy and truthfulness of child maltreatment reports; most are found to be credible.

Empirical Work

Research that involves the systematic collection of data to draw conclusions, often used to investigate child abuse disclosure patterns.

Adult Retrospective Reports

Surveys where adults reflect on their childhood experiences of sexual abuse.

Methodological Critique

An examination of the research methods used in studies, which can affect the interpretation of findings.

Incidence Studies

Research that measures the occurrence of reported child maltreatment cases in a population.

Statute of Limitations (SoL)

Laws that limit the timeframe within which legal action can be initiated following alleged abuse.

Long-Term Effects of CSA

The psychological impacts that child sexual abuse may have on adult mental health and functioning.

Disclosure Patterns

The trends and habits associated with how and when child sexual abuse victims report their experiences.

Research Biases

Systematic errors introduced into research which can skew the data, such as sampling bias or suspicion bias.

Need and Opportunity

The conditions required for children to disclose abuse, including a safe person to tell and the emotional drive to disclose.

Legal Consequences of Delay

Implications that arise from not reporting abuse promptly, affecting evidence and prosecution opportunities.