Telling a trusted adult: Factors associated with the likelihood of disclosing child sexual abuse prior to and during a forensic interview

Abstract

BackgroundMany child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors delay or withhold disclosure of their abuse, even when presenting for formal investigation interviews. ObjectiveThis study examined factors that relate to the CSA disclosure process. Participants and SettingsParticipants were CSA victims (N = 1,732) presenting to a Child Advocacy Center (CAC) for a forensic interview. MethodWe tested a structural model to predict disclosure before and during a forensic interview using secondary data analysis. ResultsYouth were less likely to disclose before a forensic interview if they witnessed domestic violence (β = -.233, p < .05). Caregivers were less likely to believe the abuse allegation if the alleged perpetrator resided in the home β = -.386, p < .05) and more likely to believe if the youth made a prior disclosure (β = .286, p < .05). Youth were more likely to disclose during the forensic interview if they were older (β = .388, p < .05), if the alleged perpetrator resided in their home (β = .209, p < .05), if they disclosed prior (β = .254, p < .05), and if their caregiver believed the allegation (β = .213, p < . 05). The alleged perpetrator residing in the youth’s home (β = -0.082, p < .05) and making a prior disclosure (β = 0.060, p < .05) were both indirectly associated with forensic interview disclosure through caregiver belief. ConclusionsFindings highlight the importance of the family context and caregiver belief in the disclosure process for youth involved in formal CSA investigations.