Develación de las Agresiones Sexuales: Estudio de Caracterización de Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes Chilenos

Abstract

The aim of this study was to characterize the disclosure process of sexual abuse of a purposive sample of 138 Chilean children and adolescents who were receiving treatment in a center specializing in such issues. Using a quantitative methodology, information about the disclosure process was gathered through structured interviews with the therapists of the children and adolescents. The data was organized into 3 disclosure variables: the way in which the disclosure is initiated, the latency of its occurrence, and the person to whom it is directed. These variables were then correlated with each other, with demographic variables, and with variables associated with the phenomenology of sexual abuse. Phi and Contingency coefficients were used. Results showed that disclosure was most frequently initiated by adults' questions, involved a long delay, and was usually directed towards an adult relative. Associations were found regarding the victim's age and the rate and delay of disclosure, the victim's gender and the way in which disclosure is initiated, and family credibility and the person to whom the disclosure is directed. These results are discussed.