ABSTRACT

The disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) is a complex process that remains partially understood, despite its crucial role in survivors’ recovery. Gender specific experiences of disclosure have been little investigated while this information is crucial to better tailor interventions for survivors. This qualitative study aims to 1) explore survivors’ experiences in disclosing to close ones, and 2) contrast experiences of male and female survivors. Fifty-one CSA survivors (25 women and 26 men) aged 18 years or older were recruited via community services for survivors. Two main categories emerged from thematic content analysis: 1) experiences of disclosure hindering CSA recovery or 2) ones fostering CSA recovery. Men felt ignored when their close ones were focused on their own emotions of indifference, helplessness and guilt toward CSA. Men felt guilty when confronted with reactions of blame for their own inaction or disempowered when pressured to remain silent or to forgive. Women felt ignored when their close ones showed anger toward their perpetrator. Women felt guilty when they were held accountable for CSA events or disempowered when pressured to take legal actions. Women, but not men, reported feeling considered through caring and heart-to-heart discussions. Recommendations for awareness messages and practitioners are discussed.

摘要

披露儿童性虐待 (CSA) 是一个复杂的过程，尽管它对幸存者的康复至关重要，但仍部分了解。很少对披露的性别特定经验进行调查，而这些信息对于更好地为幸存者量身定制干预措施至关重要。这项定性研究旨在 1) 探索幸存者向亲密者透露的经历，以及 2) 对比男性和女性幸存者的经历。通过幸存者社区服务招募了 51 名年龄在 18 岁或以上的 CSA 幸存者（25 名女性和 26 名男性）。主题内容分析中出现了两个主要类别：1) 阻碍 CSA 恢复的披露经验或 2) 促进 CSA 恢复的经验。当亲密的人专注于自己对 CSA 的冷漠、无助和内疚的情绪时，男人会感到被忽视。当面对因自己的不作为而受到责备的反应时，男人会感到内疚，或者在被迫保持沉默或原谅时被剥夺了权力。当亲密的人对肇事者表现出愤怒时，女性会感到被忽视。女性在对 CSA 事件负责或在被迫采取法律行动时被剥夺权力时会感到内疚。女性，而不是男性，表示通过关怀和心连心的讨论感到被考虑。讨论了对意识信息和从业者的建议。报告的感觉是通过关怀和心连心的讨论来考虑的。讨论了对意识信息和从业者的建议。报告的感觉是通过关怀和心连心的讨论来考虑的。讨论了对意识信息和从业者的建议。