NCJ Number
235260
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 6 Dated: June 2011 Pages: 437-447
Date Published
June 2011
Length
11 pages
Annotation
This study examined the management strategies of caregivers following a child's disclosure of child sexual abuse.
Abstract
This study found that in situations where child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosed by a child was perceived by caregivers to be more physically intrusive, such as fondling or penetration, caregivers showed a greater preference for management strategies that involved outreach to child protective services, the child's healthcare provider, or law enforcement officials. For reports of CSA that were not perceived as physically intrusive, caregivers were less willing to manage the situation by seeking help from authorities. The aim of this study was to explore the management strategies that caregivers would employ if a child disclosed CSA that was perceived by the caregiver to be physically intrusive. Data for the study were obtained from the responses of 153 caregivers who were presented with 3 scenarios of CSA that included 7 management strategies. The caregivers rated the management strategies across the CSA scenarios according to their willingness to carry out each action. Analysis of the caregivers' responses found that the more physically intrusive the allegations of CSA, the more likely caregivers were to use management strategies that included outreach to authorities. The study also found that a caregiver's past interaction with child protective services affected their choice of management strategies. Implications for improving caregivers' handling of CSA disclosure are discussed. Figure, tables, and references