The Continuum of Disclosure: Exploring Factors Predicting Tentative Disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse Allegations During Forensic Interviews and the Implications for Practice, Policy, and Future Research

Categorizing Complainant-Accused Relationships in Cases of Child Sexual Abuse: The Distinctive Nature of Community Connections

We examined the categorization of relationships between child complainants and accused perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA). Researchers that have focused on complainant-accused relationships and other case variables, often combining two extrafamilial complainant-accused relationship categories: Relationships where the accused is connected to the child through their position in the community (i.e. community connections) and relationships where the non-relative accused is known to the child through a connection to the child's family (i.e. non-relative family connections). Using a database of 4,237 Canadian judicial decisions in cases of CSA, we reviewed a subset of 1,515 judicial decisions to explore differences between these two relationship categories. Compared to cases involving non-relative family connections, cases involving community connections had more male complainants, more multiple complainants, older complainants, higher frequencies of abuse, longer durations, and longer delays. We conclude that community and non-relative family connections are distinct relationships that should be separated for analyses in future research. Practical implications of recognizing the distinctiveness of non-relative family and community connection relationship categories in the context of abuse prevention and treatment are also discussed.

Do children unintentionally report maltreatment? Comparison of disclosures of neglect versus sexual abuse

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Children's initial reports often play a key role in the identification of maltreatment, and a sizeable amount of scientific research has examined how children disclose sexual and physical abuse. Although neglect constitutes a large proportion of maltreatment experiences, relatively little attention has been directed toward understanding whether and how children disclose neglect. The overarching aim of the present study was to document this process by comparing disclosure patterns in cases of neglect to those in cases of sexual abuse.

METHOD

Redacted jurisdiction reports (N = 136) of substantiated dependency cases of neglect (n = 71) and sexual abuse (n = 65) in 4- to 17-year-olds were coded for why maltreatment was suspected, and for children's perceived awareness and disclosure of the maltreatment.

RESULTS

Neglect was most often initially suspected via contact with emergency services (e.g., police, emergency medical services), whereas sexual abuse was most often initially suspected as a result of children's statements. Children evidenced greater perceived awareness of sexual abuse than neglect and were more likely to disclose the former in their first investigative interview. Perceived awareness was further associated with a higher likelihood of children's statements initiating discovery of maltreatment and disclosing in the first investigative interview.

CONCLUSIONS

Children may benefit from greater knowledge about their needs for safety, supervision, and provision in the home, which could increase the likelihood they would disclose neglect. Such, in turn, could lead to earlier interventions for children and families.

Children’s needs during disclosures of abuse

A Narrative Literature Review was conducted providing a comprehensive overview of children’s barriers to disclose during investigations of child abuse. Patterns in the literature were categorized as themes and include: rapport and relationship with the interviewer, feeling in control and prepared, communication, physical abilities, mental health, environment, family dynamics, culture and individual uniqueness. Using a combination of a critical analyses approach and drawing from personal background experiences and knowledge in working with children during disclosures, the themes are expanded upon as a discussion that explores what children may therapeutically need during their disclosures of abuse within the forensic interview. Some practice implications are incorporated with the intent to generate further thinking about addressing children’s needs during investigations of child abuse. Working with multidisciplinary teams in Child and Youth Advocacy Centres is discussed and may be a resource for understanding children’s needs during disclosures of abuse.

Non-offending caregiver support in cases of child sexual abuse: An examination of the impact of support on formal disclosures

BACKGROUND

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a highly prevalent issue, impacting a substantial number of children globally (12 %; Stoltenborgh et al., 2011). Past research has found many children who have been sexually abused will delay their disclosure until adulthood, if they disclose at all (McElvaney, 2015; Reitsema & Grietens, 2016). This is often likely because of the adverse impact that reporting abuse can have for the child and their families (especially when committed by an intrafamilial perpetrator). Non-offending caregiver support has evidenced promise in increasing rates of disclosure (Cyr et al., 2014).

OBJECTIVE

It was hypothesized that higher levels of caregiver support would result in shorter delays of disclosure and that less support is given when the abuser is closely related to the child.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

CSA cases (n = 164) were pulled from the RCMP database of reported crimes for the greater Okanagan Area, British Columbia, Canada.

METHODS

Cases were coded for non-offending caregiver behaviors that indicated support and for relation to perpetrator.

RESULTS

Higher levels of non-offending caregiver support were found to lead to shorter delays of disclosure. Non-offending caregivers were significantly less supportive when the abuser was more closely related.

CONCLUSIONS

Caregiver support acted as a protective factor against delays of disclosure. However, this support decreased significantly when the abuser was closely related. The current study provides evidence for the need to support caregivers of children who have been abused with educational programs and resources so they can properly support the child impacted.

Child sexual abuse: An examination of individual and abuse characteristics that may impact delays of disclosure

BACKGROUND

Nondisclosure in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) can lead to numerous aversive outcomes for children who have been sexually abused, the most serious of which include untreated psychological symptoms and possible further abuse. While victim testimony is often required for perpetrator conviction or disruption of contact, children face multiple barriers to reporting abuse. Research suggests the likelihood of disclosure is impacted by both characteristics of children (i.e., age and gender), as well as abuse characteristics (i.e., relation to perpetrator, severity and frequency of abuse).

OBJECTIVE

Although these factors have been studied in relation to rates of disclosure, relatively little is known about their impact on temporal delays in reporting CSA.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING

Special access was obtained to review classified RCMP case files on CSA drawn from the greater Okanagan area, British Columbia, Canada (n = 164).

METHODS

Cases were coded according to victim and abuse characteristics. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used in order to analyze the impact each variable of interest had on time until a disclosure was made.

RESULTS

All predictors were found to significantly impact delays of disclosure, x2(6) = 65.558, p = .000. Delays of disclosure were decreased as age of the child increased or if the child was female. Alternatively, if abuse was more severe, occurred at a higher frequency, or if perpetrators were more closely related, delays of disclosure increased.

CONCLUSIONS

The current study provides potential for tailored approaches according to individual characteristics and vulnerabilities in CSA investigations and treatments.