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Memorable life events and disclosure of child sexual abuse: possibilities and challenges across diverse contexts

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Open access

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between memorable life events (MLEs) and disclosure of sexual abuse in childhood. The findings derive from a larger thematic and phenomenological analysis of MLEs across the life course of 12 adults with self-reported histories of child sexual abuse (CSA). Participants were recruited from the UK, but represent a diverse group in terms of age, gender, country of origin, sexuality and disability. In-depth interviews and Life History Calendars (LHCs) were used to collect a range of contextual and event-based data. Varied and unique MLEs were found to promote disclosure of sexual abuse in childhood, although this was highly contingent on context. A conceptual framework is offered as a way of navigating this relationship and contexts that can inhibit, alter or reverse decisions to disclose abuse. This research is the first known in-depth analysis of MLEs and CSA, and therefore makes an original contribution to the field.

Publication Information

Output type

Research Output: Contribution to journal Article Peer-review

Original language

English

Pages from-to (Number of pages)

Pages 185-200

Journal (Volume, Issue Number)

Families, Relationships and Societies (Volume 6, Issue 2)

Publication milestones

  • Accepted/In press - 02/02/2017
  • Published - 09/02/2017

Publication status

Published - 09/02/2017

ISSN

2046-7435

External Publication IDs

  • handle.net: 10547/622022
  • Scopus: 85024370951

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