Experiences of Disclosure and Reactions of Close Ones from the Perspective of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender Specificities

Guyon, Roxanne; Fernet, Mylène; Dussault, Éliane; Gauthier-Duchesne, Amélie; Cousineau, Marie‐Marthe; Tardif, Monique; Godbout, Natacha

doi:10.1080/10538712.2021.1942369

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…This sense that they were not aggressive enough can lead them to engage in externalizing behaviors to avoid feeling weak or not masculine enough (Elder et al, 2017). All of these reactions are strongly linked to masculine norms present in Western countries (Guyon et al, 2021).…”

Section: Externalizing Behaviors Following Child Sexual Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

The externalization of suffering among male survivors of child sexual abuse: “A deeply buried rage that must come out”.

Gauthier-Duchesne,

Fernet,

Hébert

et al. 2024

Psychology of Men & Masculinities

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Studies on child sexual abuse (CSA) have mostly focused on female survivors. However, men are not spared from this type of abuse, as one in 10 men report having experienced CSA before the age of 18. Some adult male victims of CSA, in trying to cope with their history of sexual abuse, overinvest in typically masculine behaviors, such as aggression and rule breaking, which are considered externalizing behaviors. This study aimed to (a) describe the range of externalizing behaviors in adult men who have experienced CSA and (b) explore the functions underlying these behaviors from the perspective of male survivors. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted with 26 Canadian male survivors, aged between 31 and 66, who were recruited via CSA community services. A qualitative-directed content analysis was performed, guided by Achenbach and Rescorla's taxonomy of externalizing behaviors. Three main categories of externalizing behaviors emerged from respondents' narratives: (a) aggressive behaviors to express anger and protect integrity; (b) rule-breaking behaviors to protest against an injustice; (c) alcohol and drug use to avoid suffering triggered by CSA. These findings highlight the diversity of behaviors in which male survivors report engaging in response to CSA. Even if they may express their suffering in an explosive way, it is important to support male victims appropriately while recognizing the functions underlying their externalizing behaviors. Approaches to supporting survivors' recovery should address their feelings of anger and sense of injustice, the use of avoidance-based coping mechanisms, and masculine norms. Public Significance StatementMen who have experienced child sexual abuse may externalize their suffering through various behaviors that may be perceived as problematic, including aggressive behaviors, transgressive behaviors, and substance abuse. It is important to offer appropriate support to male survivors, even if their distress might be expressed in ways that are not typically associated with victimhood.

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Section: Externalizing Behaviors Following Child Sexual Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

The externalization of suffering among male survivors of child sexual abuse: “A deeply buried rage that must come out”.

Gauthier-Duchesne,

Fernet,

Hébert

et al. 2024

Psychology of Men & Masculinities

Self Cite

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“…The social responses to CSA survivors' disclosures and help-seeking behaviors can play a crucial role in providing effective treatment and support for survivors [45,46]. Positive responses to CSA disclosure include the recipient being supportive and calm to encourage the survivors to feel safe and accepted.…”

Section: Csa Survivors' Perceptions Of Social Responses To Their Help...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, responses perceived as hurtful by the survivors may lead to further psychological and physical harm and exacerbate the levels of post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety [48]. Although perceptions of social responses have been found to vary between boys and girls who have experienced CSA, negative social responses may hinder recovery for all survivors [46].…”

Section: Csa Survivors' Perceptions Of Social Responses To Their Help...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“Pay Attention! Pay Attention! Pay Attention!!!”: The Pivotal Role of Educators and the Educational System as Experienced by Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Sigad,

Tener,

Lusky-Weisrose

et al. 2024

Behavioral Sciences

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Educational institutions and educators are significant in children’s lives, and they have a crucial role in implementing policies, practices, and sexual education to enhance children’s safety. Such policies and practices should be based on the voices of CSA survivors. This study explored child sexual abuse (CSA) survivors’ viewpoints on their past experiences with educators and the educational system. A qualitative thematic approach was used to analyze 61 written testimonies collected in 2020–2021 by the Israeli Independent Public Inquiry on CSA. Two interrelated themes arose: 1) CSA survivors’ retrospective perspectives of educators and the educational system’s responses to signs of their CSA, described as ranging from abusive to life-saving. Specifically, they shared three types of responses: a) harmful and hurtful; b) dismissive and ignoring; and c) accepting and attending. 2) The second theme described the survivors’ messages to educators to promote constructive change. The survivors conveyed expectations that educators should play a central role in CSA prevention, detection, and intervention and, specifically, the need for educators to receive professional training, provide beneficial sexual education, and identify and respond to CSA. The findings promoted moving beyond individual-level interventions to focus on improving educational institutional and organizational cultures related to CSA in both national and international contexts.

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“…Nondisclosure, PCRs, and revictimization are related to a child’s vulnerabilities during abuse (Doğangün et al, 2016; Guyon et al, 2021; Scoglio et al, 2021). However, the relationship between factors responsible for a child’s vulnerability has not been sufficiently addressed in the literature.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Relationship Between The “Sexual Abuse Whirlpool” and Gender, Type of Abuse, Victim-Perpetrator Relationship, Disclosure, Psychological Reactions, and Revictimization of Sexual Abuse Victims

Gönültaş

2023

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol

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According to the Sexual Abuse Whirlpool framework, when a vulnerable child is noticed by a perpetrator, the state of vulnerability he/she is in will reach a severe level. The SAW asserts that the method applied by the perpetrator has a multiplier effect on the child’s vulnerability and accelerates the process resulting in abuse. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between the SAW and gender, type of abuse, victim-perpetrator relationship, disclosure, psychological complaints and reactions (PCRs), and revictimization of sexual abuse victims. A mixed research method was used: First, the vulnerabilities of the victims were extracted from the forensic interview forms with a qualitative method ( n = 199). Then collected data were tabulated and digitized quantitatively. Victims who were exposed to penetrative abuses, who did not disclose, had serious PCRs, and who were re-victimized had high scores of the SAW. Whirlpool would decrease in places where there is a quality parent-child relationship.

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Experiences of Disclosure and Reactions of Close Ones from the Perspective of Child Sexual Abuse Survivors: A Qualitative Analysis of Gender Specificities

Cited by 7 publications

References 30 publications

The externalization of suffering among male survivors of child sexual abuse: “A deeply buried rage that must come out”.

The externalization of suffering among male survivors of child sexual abuse: “A deeply buried rage that must come out”.

“Pay Attention! Pay Attention! Pay Attention!!!”: The Pivotal Role of Educators and the Educational System as Experienced by Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

Relationship Between The “Sexual Abuse Whirlpool” and Gender, Type of Abuse, Victim-Perpetrator Relationship, Disclosure, Psychological Reactions, and Revictimization of Sexual Abuse Victims

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