The treatment needs of victims/survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) from ethnic minority communities: A literature review and suggestions for practice

Abstract

Highlights  This exhaustive literature review is a significant contribution to knowledge  Protecting family name is a significant barrier to help-seeking among minorities  It may even heighten risk of suicidality among minority victims of CSA  Treatment must be culturally competent else it may further abuse of power Disclaimer This manuscript has not been published elsewhere, and is not under consideration by any other journal. However, this article reports on the findings from one of six themes explored in a larger study. Thus, content in the Introduction and Method overlaps with content in articles currently under consideration with other journals but which then report on the findings from one of the other explored themes, making them each overall different from one another.

Identifying and addressing barriers to treatment for child sexual abuse survivors and their non-offending caregivers

“…For example, in the group treatment context, cultural differences may contribute to certain children feeling disconnected from other group members, particularly if these youth feel that the majority culture group members are less inviting and supportive of the minority culture group members. Moreover, a collectivistic emphasis may create unique barriers to initiation if a greater value is placed on protecting the family as a whole than seeking treatment for an individual (e.g., protecting family against dissolution, threatening community and family integrity, and sharing personal matters with those outside of the community; Fontes & Plummer, 2010;Futa et al, 2001;Haboush & Alyan, 2013;Sawrikar & Katz, 2017).…”

Using systemic interventions to reduce intimate partner violence or child maltreatment: A systematic review of publications between 2010 and 2019

“…Research indicates that lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are exposed to childhood abuse at higher odds than are heterosexual people (Andersen & Blosnich, 2013; McLaughlin et al, 2012), and transgender and gender non‐conforming children are at risk for childhood abuse (Tobin & Delaney, 2019). Studies examining the efficacy of systemic treatment for racial and ethnic minority children and families are lacking, but scholars have highlighted the need for treatment to address ethnocultural factors (Santa‐Sosa & Runyon, 2015) and to rely on multicultural frameworks that respect and are compassionate towards cultural differences (Sawrikar & Katz, 2017).…”

How aware of child sexual abuse (CSA) are ethnic minority communities? A literature review and suggestions for raising awareness in Australia

“…However, it is outside the scope of this paper to discuss the risk and experience of racism among ethnic minority communities addressing CSA. This critical issue has been discussed in-depth elsewhere (Sawrikar & Katz, 2017a;Sawrikar & Katz, 2017b;Sawrikar, 2017b). Simply, for the purposes of this paper, cultural competency is identified as essential when delivering outreach programs.…”

“…country of birth, language/s, citizenship status, refugee pathways of entry, etc.) among program participants Of these, the use of a 'multicultural framework' and self-reflection and awareness are seen as particularly critical elements (Sawrikar & Katz, 2017a). A multicultural framework respects (the right to) cultural differences, and self-reflection and awareness can help (especially mainstream) program providers better identify similarities between individualistic and collectivist cultures, most especially in regards to the purpose/effect of widespread acceptance of myths about CSAto help preserve patriarchal structures.…”