Rusan Lateef, MSW, RSW is a social worker employed in the criminal justice system with adult male offenders in Ontario, Canada. She is a researcher on the “Make Resilience Matter” project examining childhood exposure to domestic violence at the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto, a project that involves collaboration with CRFR Co-Director Sarah Morton.
Here, Rusan shares some of the findings from a recently published article on childhood sexual abuse disclosures, which she co-authored.
There have been on-going efforts to improve the identification of children who have been sexually abused and to encourage disclosures. It is important to consider, however, if disclosing actually promotes well-being and resilience among survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). If it does, how can we promote disclosures, and with that resilience, with children who have been sexually abused? A previous CRFR blog post by Dr Sarah Nelson provided insight into child-centred ways to facilitate CSA disclosures: http://crfrblog.blogspot.ca/2016/11/silencing-and-disclosure-in-child.html
Disclosure is usually the first step toward a child being linked with supportive resources that could initiate their healing and prevent the adverse consequences of CSA. Unfortunately, disclosing can lead to anything but healing when the environment in which a disclosure takes place is not supportive. Some researchers have even found that it is risky to tell in childhood as unsuccessful disclosures may result in children experiencing further helplessness (Jonzon & Lindblad, 2004). The media provides multiple examples of individuals who have disclosed sexual abuse and have not received support from the general public or from family and friends – experiencing victim blaming and lack of validation for their experiences. It is easy to see how this could discourage survivors to disclose. Aside from negative media examples, the literature review by Alaggia, Collin-Vézina & Lateef (2017) identified various other barriers to CSA disclosure including, but not limited to:
Internal factors
• Internalized victim blaming
• Immature development at onset of abuse
• Gender
• Shame
• Self-blame
• Fear
• Perception that one will not be believed by people outside of their family
Family characteristics
• Rigidly fixed patriarchal based roles
• Power imbalances
• Domestic violence
• Chaotic family organization
• Dysfunctional communication
• Social isolation
• Preserving the family reputation
• Relationship of the perpetrator to the child victim
Sociocultural factors
• Negative labelling of sexual abuse victims
• Taboos surrounding sexuality and talking about sex
• Promotion of hyper-masculinity
• Patriarchal attitudes
• Views that boys and men cannot be victimized
• Homophobic attitudes
• Sexualization and objectification of girls and women
• Devaluation of women
• Lack of school involvement in providing a supportive environment
When encouraging CSA disclosures, it is important to be informing the public about the numerous barriers children experience, meanwhile creating awareness of the type of environment and factors that encourage disclosures, and how to properly support a child post-disclosure. Facilitators of CSA disclosures were also identified in the review and included:
Internal factors
• Symptoms that become unbearable
• Older age
• Increased developmental efficacy
• Realizing that an offence was committed
Environmental factors
• Child discloses after evidence provided or eye-witnessing has occurred
• Settings that provide opportunities for disclosure (ex. counselling, interviews); prevention programs
• Culturally sensitive probes and questions
• Creating openness in relational contexts; close relationships
• Supportive family members and individuals close to the child victim
Finally, it is important to recognize that there are CSA survivors who are resilient and function adaptively --both those who have and have not disclosed. Domhardt and colleagues (2015) in their review identified important factors associated with greater resilience among CSA survivors that include:
• Education
• Interpersonal and emotional competence
• Control beliefs
• Active coping
• Optimism
• Social attachment
• External attribution of blame
• Support from the family and the wider social environment
In summary, research has identified what factors encourage and discourage disclosures, as well as what factors promote resilience among CSA survivors. Taken together, these findings could help facilitate safe disclosures and positive post-disclosure outcomes.
References
Alaggia, R., Collin-Vézina, D., Lateef, R. (2017). Facilitators and Barriers to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Disclosures: A Research Update (2000-2016). Trauma, Violence & Abuse. DOI: 10.1177/1524838017697312
Domhardt, M., Münzer, A., Fegert, J., & Goldbeck, L. (2015). Resilience in survivors of CSA: A systematic review of the literature. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 16(4), 476-493.
Jonzon, E., & Lindblad, F. (2004). Disclosure, reactions, and social support: Findings from a sample of adult victims of CSA. Child Maltreatment, 9(2), 190-200.
Showing posts with label disclosure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disclosure. Show all posts
Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Monday, 12 November 2012
Darkness into Light –Disclosing Child Sexual Abuse
Recent visiting scholar to CRFR, Dr. Ramona Alaggia, Associate Professor from University of Toronto and Factor-Inwentash Chair in Children’s Mental Health contributes this second guest blog on the issue of disclosure in child sexual abuse cases.
"The recent exposure of several high profile cases involving historic sexual abuse continues to bring to light the prevalence of sexual violence against children, a longstanding phenomenon which has been minimized, obscured and even covered up . This is evidenced by recent revelations in the UK of Jimmy Saville’s sexual offending against children (BBC, October 2012); the criminal conviction of football coach Jerry Sandusky in the US, and sanctions levied at Penn State University for head coach Joseph Paterno’s role in concealing these sexual crimes ; and in Canada the conviction of Graham James, a minor hockey league coach, in sexually abusing young players for decades. These and other emerging cases represent long term institutional abuse but a concerning number of children are also abused within families, and in their communities by trusted people in family-like roles (Finkelhor, Hammer & Sedlak, 2008). The sad fact is that most victims of child sexual abuse – scientific studies consistently cite up to 80% - do not disclose until they are adults if ever (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012; Schaeffer, Leventhal & Asnes, 2011).
Sound research tells us that there are many reasons for children not being able to disclose. Fear of their family falling apart. Fear of being blamed and not believed. Fear of the perpetrator. Not knowing how to tell or who to tell (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012). Certain family dynamics inhibit disclosure. A rigid patriarchal family structure; the presence of domestic violence; and dysfunctional communication have all been noted as creating difficult conditions under which to tell (Alaggia & Kirshenbaum, 2005). Environmental factors also contribute to lack of disclosure. The linking of aggression and violence in media, and advertising that sexualizes children cause confusion for children about healthy sexual behaviour. Not seeing children as persons in their own right with human rights. Minimizing that boys can also be victims of sexual violence (Alaggia & Millington, 2008). On the other hand facilitators of disclosure include open, clear communication in families, children being asked about sexual abuse, prevention and early sexual education programs to increase children’s abilities to know how to tell and who to tell (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012; Scheffer, Leventhal & Asnes, 2011). Though it’s difficult to determine who children tell it is becoming clearer that they more often disclose to peers, an adult they feel close to, and more increasingly school personnel.
Yet current prevention programs focus almost solely on the child. Adults and professionals who are in close contact with children need to equally be the target of awareness and response programs. Adults should be the target of universal sexual abuse prevention and detection programs with training on how they could respond appropriately and sensitively to disclosures –keeping in mind disclosure of sexual abuse is complex, non-linear, tenuous, sometimes non-verbal and often indirect depending on the child’s developmental stage and proximity to the perpetrator (Alaggia, 2004; Alaggia, 2010). Finally contextual considerations should be addressed to promote positive, healthy sexual messages and images."
References:
Finkelhor, D., Hammer, H., & Sedlak, A. (2008). Sexually assaulted children: National estimates and characteristics. Office of Justice Programs, U.S Department of Justice; Washington, USA.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Schaeffer, P., Leventhal, J., & Asnes, A.J. (2011).Children’s disclosures of sexual abuse: Learning from direct inquiry. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35:343–352.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Alaggia, R. & Kirshenbaum, S. (2005). Speaking the unspeakable: Exploring the impact of family dynamics on child sexual abuse disclosures. Families in Society, 86(2), 227-234.
Alaggia, R. & Millington, G. (2008). Male Child Sexual Abuse: A Phenomenology of Betrayal. Clinical Journal of Social Work, 36(3), 265-275.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Schaeffer, P., Leventhal, J., & Asnes, A.J. (2011).Children’s disclosures of sexual abuse: Learning from direct inquiry. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35:343–352.
Alaggia, R. (2004). Many ways of telling: Expanding conceptualization of child sexual abuse disclosure. Child Abuse & Neglect: An International Journal, 28(11), 1213-1227.
Alaggia, R. (2010). An Ecological Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure: Considerations for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, (19)1, 32-39.
"The recent exposure of several high profile cases involving historic sexual abuse continues to bring to light the prevalence of sexual violence against children, a longstanding phenomenon which has been minimized, obscured and even covered up . This is evidenced by recent revelations in the UK of Jimmy Saville’s sexual offending against children (BBC, October 2012); the criminal conviction of football coach Jerry Sandusky in the US, and sanctions levied at Penn State University for head coach Joseph Paterno’s role in concealing these sexual crimes ; and in Canada the conviction of Graham James, a minor hockey league coach, in sexually abusing young players for decades. These and other emerging cases represent long term institutional abuse but a concerning number of children are also abused within families, and in their communities by trusted people in family-like roles (Finkelhor, Hammer & Sedlak, 2008). The sad fact is that most victims of child sexual abuse – scientific studies consistently cite up to 80% - do not disclose until they are adults if ever (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012; Schaeffer, Leventhal & Asnes, 2011).
Sound research tells us that there are many reasons for children not being able to disclose. Fear of their family falling apart. Fear of being blamed and not believed. Fear of the perpetrator. Not knowing how to tell or who to tell (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012). Certain family dynamics inhibit disclosure. A rigid patriarchal family structure; the presence of domestic violence; and dysfunctional communication have all been noted as creating difficult conditions under which to tell (Alaggia & Kirshenbaum, 2005). Environmental factors also contribute to lack of disclosure. The linking of aggression and violence in media, and advertising that sexualizes children cause confusion for children about healthy sexual behaviour. Not seeing children as persons in their own right with human rights. Minimizing that boys can also be victims of sexual violence (Alaggia & Millington, 2008). On the other hand facilitators of disclosure include open, clear communication in families, children being asked about sexual abuse, prevention and early sexual education programs to increase children’s abilities to know how to tell and who to tell (McElvaney, Greene & Hogan, 2012; Scheffer, Leventhal & Asnes, 2011). Though it’s difficult to determine who children tell it is becoming clearer that they more often disclose to peers, an adult they feel close to, and more increasingly school personnel.
Yet current prevention programs focus almost solely on the child. Adults and professionals who are in close contact with children need to equally be the target of awareness and response programs. Adults should be the target of universal sexual abuse prevention and detection programs with training on how they could respond appropriately and sensitively to disclosures –keeping in mind disclosure of sexual abuse is complex, non-linear, tenuous, sometimes non-verbal and often indirect depending on the child’s developmental stage and proximity to the perpetrator (Alaggia, 2004; Alaggia, 2010). Finally contextual considerations should be addressed to promote positive, healthy sexual messages and images."
References:
Finkelhor, D., Hammer, H., & Sedlak, A. (2008). Sexually assaulted children: National estimates and characteristics. Office of Justice Programs, U.S Department of Justice; Washington, USA.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Schaeffer, P., Leventhal, J., & Asnes, A.J. (2011).Children’s disclosures of sexual abuse: Learning from direct inquiry. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35:343–352.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Alaggia, R. & Kirshenbaum, S. (2005). Speaking the unspeakable: Exploring the impact of family dynamics on child sexual abuse disclosures. Families in Society, 86(2), 227-234.
Alaggia, R. & Millington, G. (2008). Male Child Sexual Abuse: A Phenomenology of Betrayal. Clinical Journal of Social Work, 36(3), 265-275.
McElvaney R., Greene S., & Hogan D. (2012): Containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (6):1155-75.
Schaeffer, P., Leventhal, J., & Asnes, A.J. (2011).Children’s disclosures of sexual abuse: Learning from direct inquiry. Child Abuse & Neglect, 35:343–352.
Alaggia, R. (2004). Many ways of telling: Expanding conceptualization of child sexual abuse disclosure. Child Abuse & Neglect: An International Journal, 28(11), 1213-1227.
Alaggia, R. (2010). An Ecological Analysis of Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure: Considerations for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Canadian Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, (19)1, 32-39.
Wednesday, 7 November 2012
Listening – or really hearing victims of abuse?
Sarah Nelson, CRFR Research Associate, writes on the implications of the Jimmy Savile abuse revelations:
Amid shock and dismay at the unfolding revelations of the Savile sexual abuse scandal, many people ask how we can better protect children in future. Perhaps the most frequent demand from professionals, politicians, media and the public has been that we “listen more to the victims”.
That is understandable, and indeed true, especially in relation to stigmatised young people who are often still disbelieved when they report: as the Rochdale sexual exploitation case among others has graphically revealed. But it skirts the awkward problem that the majority of Savile’s victims did not report him, and most children do not report sexual abuse. Too often, we would be listening for a merely silent victim.
In my own research with sexually abused young people and adults, both at CRFR and during 2011-12 with Open Secret in Falkirk, survivors described how intense shame, self-blame, hopelessness, distrust or fear of reprisal kept most of them silent until well into adulthood. One small group of young people came up with fourteen different reasons why they did not tell.
In particular, very few children tell the agencies they are urged to tell, such as teachers, police or social workers. They are more likely to turn to a school friend or their mother. The child protection system urgently needs to take these uncomfortable facts on board and to reflect the way real children think, act and behave, in order to ensure that current distressing revelations leave a more positive legacy for our children. Otherwise, it will continue to unearth very few cases of child sexual abuse.
In my own research studies, these are some suggestions for change which survivors themselves, both male and female, have made:
For further discussion of the experiences of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, please read:
Nelson, S. (2009) Care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, CRFR Research Briefing, no.44, Edinburgh: Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.
Amid shock and dismay at the unfolding revelations of the Savile sexual abuse scandal, many people ask how we can better protect children in future. Perhaps the most frequent demand from professionals, politicians, media and the public has been that we “listen more to the victims”.
That is understandable, and indeed true, especially in relation to stigmatised young people who are often still disbelieved when they report: as the Rochdale sexual exploitation case among others has graphically revealed. But it skirts the awkward problem that the majority of Savile’s victims did not report him, and most children do not report sexual abuse. Too often, we would be listening for a merely silent victim.
In my own research with sexually abused young people and adults, both at CRFR and during 2011-12 with Open Secret in Falkirk, survivors described how intense shame, self-blame, hopelessness, distrust or fear of reprisal kept most of them silent until well into adulthood. One small group of young people came up with fourteen different reasons why they did not tell.
In particular, very few children tell the agencies they are urged to tell, such as teachers, police or social workers. They are more likely to turn to a school friend or their mother. The child protection system urgently needs to take these uncomfortable facts on board and to reflect the way real children think, act and behave, in order to ensure that current distressing revelations leave a more positive legacy for our children. Otherwise, it will continue to unearth very few cases of child sexual abuse.
In my own research studies, these are some suggestions for change which survivors themselves, both male and female, have made:
- Children very often try to tell in oblique, childlike or roundabout ways. Always ask sensitively if for instance they keep being tearful or very withdrawn, or persistently act out distress through bad behaviour.
- An independent counsellor in a school or youth setting, posters placed anonymously on school lockers or inside toilets, and other discreet or anonymous publicity is very helpful in reducing the shame and stigma teenagers feel, at the prospect of becoming known to their peers as a victim.
- In my own research, male survivors in particular were often excluded from school for acting-out in bad behaviour. This placed them in much greater danger on the streets, and safe alternatives to school exclusions need to continue to be sought.
- Peers and mothers need greater support when they are the recipients of information about current abuse.
- There is now “third-party reporting” available for hate crime such as homophobic crime, and race crime. People can report to certain voluntary agencies if they fear or distrust to report directly to police or social work and that could be extended to the reporting of childhood sexual abuse.
- Both adults and young people who have been abused felt strongly that social stigma has assertively to be combated with publicity campaigns, since many families and communities still prefer victims to avoid shaming them by speaking out. Likewise they wish schools to tackle the perceived stigma of being a victim: just as many schools now encourage pupils not to stigmatise, for example, young people who self-harm, or young gay people. That might reduce many boys’ fear of being branded a “poof” if they reveal abuse.
For further discussion of the experiences of survivors of childhood sexual abuse, please read:
Nelson, S. (2009) Care and support needs of male survivors of childhood sexual abuse, CRFR Research Briefing, no.44, Edinburgh: Centre for Research on Families and Relationships.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)