Maternal Protectiveness Following the Disclosure of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse

Abstract

This study is concerned with what proportion of mothers act protectively following the disclosure of child sexual abuse and what factors are associated with maternal nonprotectiveness. Fifteen risk factors were identified. In a sample of 118 cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse studied over a period of 18 months, it was found that 57% of the mothers took action to separate from the perpetrators, two thirds were supportive of their children, and 52% did both. Mothers were more likely to act protectively if their feelings toward the perpetrator were negative, if the perpetrator was not the mother's partner, and if the sexual abuse did not involve intercourse. Mothers of teenagers were less likely to protect than mothers of younger children, and mothers who abused drugs or alcohol were at risk for nonprotection.