Sexual Assault Trials Handbook — The dynamics of child sexual abuse

S Morrison, C Bruce and S Wilson, “Children’s disclosure of sexual abuse: a systematic review of qualitative research exploring barriers and facilitators” (2018) 27(2) Journal of Child Sexual Abuse 176.

This paper is a systematic review of the qualitative evidence of factors relating to children’s decisions to disclose experiences of sexual abuse, given the long-term impacts of such abuse and the access to support and protection that disclosure makes possible. Seven studies were evaluated and synthesised, from which six themes were developed: fear of what will happen; others’ reactions: fear of disbelief; emotions and impact of the abuse; an opportunity to tell; concern for self and others; and feelings toward the abuser. These themes can be used by agencies to promote practices that facilitate children’s disclosure of sexual abuse.