Child sexual abuse: an examination of individual and abuse characteristics that may impact delays of disclosure

Abstract

Nondisclosure in cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) can lead to numerous aversive outcomes for children who have been sexually abused, the most serious of which include untreated psychological symptoms and possible further abuse. While victim testimony is often required for perpetrator conviction or disruption of contact, children face multiple barriers to reporting abuse. Research suggests the likelihood of disclosure is impacted by both characteristics of children (i.e., age and gender), as well as abuse characteristics (i.e., relation to perpetrator, severity and frequency of abuse).<br><br>

Although these factors have been studied in relation to rates of disclosure, relatively little is known about their impact on temporal delays in reporting CSA. Special access was obtained to review classified RCMP case files on CSA drawn from the greater Okanagan area, British Columbia, Canada (n = 164). Cases were coded according to victim and abuse characteristics. A multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to analyse the impact each variable of interest had on time until a disclosure was made.<br><br>

All predictors were found to significantly impact delays of disclosure. Delays of disclosure decreased as age of the child increased or if the child was female. Alternatively, if abuse was more severe, occurred at a higher frequency, or if perpetrators were more closely related, delays of disclosure increased. <br><br> The current study provides potential for tailored approaches according to individual characteristics and vulnerabilities in CSA investigations and treatments.<br><br>