In legal cases regarding child sexual abuse (CSA), children have various options, such as to disclose or deny maltreatment. When interviewed in adulthood, their accounts may be consistent with their childhood responses. Alternatively, denial in childhood could be followed in adulthood by disclosure ("deferred disclosure"), confirming previous suspicions. Or the adults could possibly recant. We conducted a longitudinal study of CSA disclosures and denials (N = 99; Time 1 [T1], 3- to 16-year-olds). T1 CSA disclosures and denials at a forensic unit were compared to the individuals' responses 20 years later (Time 2 [T2]. 22- to 37-years-old). We found that consistent disclosure was associated with being older at T1 and female. Deferred disclosure was significantly associated with greater T2 trauma-related symptoms. Corroboration and higher CSA severity predicted T2 recantation. Consistent denial was related to less severe CSA. Our findings add to knowledge about CSA disclosures, which affect legal pathways available to child victims.

中文翻译：

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童年性虐待：披露和否认的纵向研究。

在有关儿童性虐待 (CSA) 的法律案件中，儿童有多种选择，例如披露或否认虐待。在成年后接受采访时，他们的叙述可能与他们童年时的反应一致。或者，童年时期的否认可以在成年后通过披露（“延迟披露”）来证实之前的怀疑。或者成年人可能会放弃。我们对 CSA 披露和否认进行了纵向研究（N = 99；时间 1 [T1]，3 至 16 岁）。将法医单位的 T1 CSA 披露和否认与 20 年后个人的反应进行比较（时间 2 [T2]。22 至 37 岁）。我们发现一致的披露与 T1 年龄较大和女性相关。延迟披露与更大的 T2 创伤相关症状显着相关。确证和更高的 CSA 严重程度预测 T2 撤销。持续否认与不太严重的 CSA 有关。我们的调查结果增加了有关 CSA 披露的知识，这会影响儿童受害者可用的法律途径。