What helps children tell? A retrospective file analysis

Objectives: This study aims to test a conceptual model of child sexual abuse disclosure developed by the first author that describes the disclosure process and the facilitating and inhibiting influences on this process. In... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives: This study aims to test a conceptual model of child sexual abuse disclosure developed by the first author that describes the disclosure process and the facilitating and inhibiting influences on this process. In particular, the study aims to identify what helps children tell.
Method: Recent research on disclosures of child sexual abuse has explored the usefulness of extracting information from children’s files about experiences of disclosure rather than interviewing children for research studies. Rich data has been obtained using this method. This study builds on a pilot study already published. A data gathering template has been developed from a qualitative study conducted by the first author and this is being used to collect data from three children’s service sites (n=230). Data will be analysed using both quantitative and qualitative analysis methods.
Results: It is expected that the study will identify the predominant themes that impact on children’s disclosures and shed light on what factors facilitate early disclosure of sexual abuse.
Conclusion: The study findings will both test the usefulness of the conceptual framework and offer implications for practitioners and parents/carers in helping children disclose experiences of sexual abuse.