When sexual abuse occurs at a preschool unit - Consequences for families

Sexual abuse of very young children most commonly occurs in the family environment of the child. When sexual abuse occurs at a preschool it results in strong reactions of parents who leave their child at the preschool with... [ view full abstract ]

Sexual abuse of very young children most commonly occurs in the family environment of the child. When sexual abuse occurs at a preschool it results in strong reactions of parents who leave their child at the preschool with expectations on safe and good care. Kelley (1995) highlights a number of characteristics associated with sexual abuse at preschools. Factors as the young age of the child victims, the involvement of multiple victims and the severity of abuse.

In a recent Swedish case 19 children aged 1-3 years have been subjected to serious sexual abuses by a preschool teacher. A large group of parents were affected by disclosure as the preschool teacher had worked on more than 30 preschool units within the municipality. None of the small children could tell about being abused though were the sexual abuses disclosed through multiple pictures taken by the offender.
In an ongoing study parents of the children who have been victims of abuse are interviewed. Additionally has a sample of parents of non-abused children at the current preschool units been interviewed as control group. The aims for the study are to explore how the events affected children and parents, how parents are affected by the fact that children are not able to tell about the abuse, how parents experience the information and support offered by the local authority. Furthermore, parents are asked how the confidence of the preschool and the managers of the organization can be restored. Finally parents are asked to reflect on the longterm consequences for the child, being sexually abused at the preschool. Further implications of the study is discussed.