ISSUES SURROUNDING DISCLOSURE OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Disclosure of child sexual abuse can be an explosive and traumatic event for the child and the people who are intended to absorb the information. Described as a process of telling an adult about an incident of child sexual abuse, disclosure can be difficult to initiate as it involves a topic that is difficult and rarely openly discussed. A worldwide social problem, child sexual abuse is any sexual activity perpetrated against a minor by threat, force, intimidation or manipulation. The paper examined the range of factors associated with disclosures of child sexual abuse and strategies that can be employed by health care providers when dealing with issues related to disclosure of abuse.

Original research, systematic reviews and reports on disclosure of childhood sexual abuse were used to examine the problem. Factors that impact disclosure of child sexual abuse were examined looking at individual and developmental factors, family dynamics, community and the cultural-societal level factors. Sexual abuse undermines the psychological wellbeing of individuals and has long-term deleterious mental health effects. Healthcare professional are among the first responders to child sexual abuse. Issues around disclosure were interrogated and information yielded suggested strategies to facilitate disclosure. Specific practice guidelines for dealing with children and families that have experienced CSA are recommended. Future studies should focus on cultural difference that impact on the phenomena of disclosure