What happens after children tell? A qualitative analysis of narratives of women who as children disclosed intra-familial sexual abuse

Contrary to depictions of strangers and perverts lurking in the shadows, most children are sexually abused by ‘normal’ people known to them, often in their own families. The majority of that abuse, especially when it... [ view full abstract ]

Contrary to depictions of strangers and perverts lurking in the shadows, most children are sexually abused by ‘normal’ people known to them, often in their own families. The majority of that abuse, especially when it occurs within families, is neither disclosed nor reported. It is posited that disclosure is necessary to protect children and end abuse. Depending on adult responses, although it may open the door for interventions, disclosure also is a potential source of further trauma and revictimization. 

There is a great deal of research addressing the prevention, prevalence and incidence, antecedents, etiology, impact, disclosure, and treatment of child sexual abuse. However, what appears to be lacking in the literature are victim’s stories of what happened after they, as children, disclosed intra-familial sexual abuse. Thus, 16 women living in Saskatchewan, Canada were interviewed about their experiences of disclosing, before age 18, intra-familial child sexual abuse.

Employing an applied feminist constructivist grounded theory design, this research explores and describes the process of disclosing intra-familial child sexual abuse, what happened after children disclosed, how the abuse ended, and the impact of socio-demographic and contextual factors on these experiences.  

Grounded in traditions of witnessing individual subjective experiences and transforming what is learned into individual and social change through social action, this research addresses concerns raised through women’s personal narratives then aims to increase awareness and understanding among peers, families, formal and informal support systems, and communities about how to respond appropriately, supportively, and helpfully to children’s disclosures of sexual abuse. Further, this research aspires to contribute to prevention and intervention strategies and policies, with an ultimate goal of ending child sexual abuse.