Disclosure of childhood sexual abuse

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It is important to be cautious before interpreting as a lie, and therefore as false allegations of sexual abuse, the fact that a child victim of sexual abuse recants their disclosure. The decision to recant can be a normal part of the disclosure process. For more information, consult False allegations of child sexual abuse.

Disclosure contexts

Disclosure of childhood sexual abuse can occur in a variety of contexts, at any stage of life, and be voluntary or involuntary. Some victims decide to disclose their childhood experiences for the first time in adulthood1.

Children are less likely to disclose sexual abuse than adults, which can be explained by a number of developmental factors. For example, children may not have the ability to recognize the nature of the sexual abuse or to communicate it to others (e.g., inability to recount everything that happened to them on the spot or forgetting certain details)2.

Children may also decide to keep the event or events to themselves, as they may be ashamed of certain details or feel responsible, particularly in the case of incidents occurring online (e.g., Internet luring or sextortion)2. It is not uncommon for children to have a bond of trust with the perpetrator, which may make them unwilling to report the abuse in order to maintain their relationship. Children may also fear the consequences of disclosure for themselves and their families, especially if the sexual abuse was committed by a family member2.  

Instead of disclosing the sexual abuse, some children will exhibit certain behaviours (e.g., inappropriate sexual behaviour, aggressiveness, irritability) in order to externalize their emotions or to try, consciously or unconsciously, to get the attention of an adult who can put a stop to the sexual abuse. However, it is not possible to determine whether a child has been sexually abused solely based on their behaviour.3 A disclosure from them or a witness is the only reliable indicator.4 The fact that many child victims of sexual abuse are slow to disclose or never do disclose their abuse diminishes the chances that they will receive an intervention adapted to their needs that will put an end to the sexual abuse.

In Quebec, just over one in five adults who experienced childhood sexual abuse with physical contact, which included unwanted touching and intercourse, never disclosed the event to anyone, with men more likely to have never disclosed (34.2%) than women (15.7%).5 Depending on the study, the proportion of people who were victims of one or more incidents of sexual abuse during childhood and never disclosed them ranges from 12% to 52%.6,7

The context in which sexual abuse is disclosed varies greatly from child to child. The disclosure may be:7-9

 

Who do children disclose sexual abuse to?

Generally, children disclose sexual abuse to their friends first, before confiding in a parent or trusted adult.7 However, younger children (aged 7 and under) are more likely to disclose to an adult, such as their parents,10 whereas older children (aged 12 and over) and adolescents are more likely to turn to their peers.7

According to a Finnish study conducted in 2013 among a representative sample of 11,364 young people aged 10 to 17, the majority (80%) of young people who had experienced one or more incidents of sexual abuse said they had disclosed them to someone. Young people who disclosed the abuse did so to:

  • a friend (48%);
  • a parent (20% to the mother, 12% to the father);
  • a person in a position of authority (12%), such as a police officer, a teacher, a social worker, a school counsellor or a school nurse.10

Since many children will not disclose the sexual abuse they have experienced, and the majority of adult victims of childhood sexual abuse will not disclose it to anyone outside their social network, the vast majority of cases of sexual abuse are never reported to professionals or people in positions of authority2,6,10. In Canada, for example, only one adult in ten (10.4%) who was sexually abused as a child reports having been in contact with child protection services11.

Disclosure delays

In Quebec, according to a 2009 representative study of adults in the province, only a quarter (21.2%) of adults reported disclosing childhood sexual abuse with physical contact within a month of the first event, while almost half (48.8%) said they had waited more than five years before disclosing5.

In Quebec, 2,617 sexual abuse offences and 3,124 other sexual offences committed against minors were reported by police in 2020.12 Of sexual offences (including sexual abuse and other sexual offences) committed against children aged 11 and under, more than half (51.3%) were reported more than a year after the offence was committed, while only 18.5% of those committed against children aged 15 to 17 were reported within the same timeframe13.

Distribution of child (under 18) victims of sexual offences reported to the police, by age and time taken to report to the police, 2020a

 

aUpdated data
Source : Ministry of Public Security. Uniform Crime Reporting Survey (UCR)

In Canada, among sexual abuse offences committed against children aged 13 and under reported by police from 2009 to 2014, nearly half (48%) were reported more than a week after the event, and nearly a third (29%) more than a year after they occurred. These delays are longer than those reported for sexual abuse offences committed against victims aged 14 and over.14 Sexual assaults against boys and men take longer to be reported to the police than those against girls and women.14 In fact, according to a study conducted in Canada and the U.S. among 253 men who had been sexually abused before the age of 16, men disclosed childhood sexual abuse on average 15.4 years after the event.15

Reasons for not disclosing

Victims of childhood sexual abuse report a number of reasons for not disclosing or for delaying disclosure. These reasons include:16,17

  • Fear of not being believed or taken seriously;
  • Feelings of shame;
  • Feelings of guilt about the sexual abuse or about not having disclosed it yet;
  • Threats and attempts at manipulation by the perpetrator of the sexual abuse;
  • Fear of being held responsible for the events;
  • Fear of the consequences of disclosure for oneself, loved ones and the perpetrator of the sexual abuse;
  • Mixed feelings towards the perpetrator.

Facilitators and obstacles to the disclosure of sexual abuse

The number of factors or characteristics associated with the victims or the context of sexual abuse can facilitate or hinder the disclosure of the abuse. In recent years, obstacles, whether individual, relational or societal, have continued to be identified more frequently than facilitators in scientific studies1.

Age and gender are two characteristics that can influence the disclosure of sexual abuse; trends show that younger children and boys disclose less, later or are more reluctant to disclose sexual abuse, while conversely, older children and girls are more likely to disclose or disclose more quickly1,2,5,7,18-20. Indeed, men may be less inclined to disclose sexual abuse during childhood, adolescence or even adulthood, due to fears associated with being considered a victim and being stigmatized, in addition to fearing the negative reactions of others.1 Social norms related to masculinity, taboos and negative stereotypes (e.g., being labeled as less “manly”, “weak”, or homosexual in the case of a male perpetrator) can be major barriers to disclosure and seeking help for many men.1,21-23 Women also encounter issues related to social norms reinforcing certain stereotypes, such as the objectification of girls and women and the normalization of sexualization. They are also more likely than men to be afraid, to expect to be blamed for the disclosed sexual abuse, and to not be believed1.

The following table shows: 1) the factors that facilitate the disclosure of childhood sexual abuse (facilitators), i.e., elements that increase the likelihood of disclosing sexual abuse or are associated with quicker disclosure, and 2) the factors that hinder or delay disclosure (obstacles). The facilitators and obstacles presented are drawn from both quantitative and qualitative studies, conducted with children or adults who have experienced at least one instance of sexual abuse during childhood.

Individual characteristics
FacilitatorsObstacles
  • The need to talk about the sexual abuse;24
  • The realization that the event experienced is not normal;24
  • The difficulty of managing emotional distress;24
  • The feeling that one will be believed;24
  • Identifying as a victim of sexual abuse.6
  • Fear of disclosing sexual abuse and not being believed;2,25,26
  • Feelings of shame, guilt and embarrassment;1,2,21,25,27
  • A feeling of being responsible for the sexual abuse;21,27,28
  • Low self-esteem;25
  • Fear of negative consequences for oneself (e.g., safety), for family1,28 or for the perpetrator of the sexual abuse;25,27
  • Mixed feelings (both positive and negative) towards the perpetrator of the sexual abuse;25
  • Fear for personal safety and the safety of others;1,25
  • Not viewing the experience as sexual abuse or as serious enough to be disclosed;10
  • Acceptance that unwanted sexual experiences are inevitable28
Characteristics of the sexual abuse
FacilitatorsObstacles
  • Having feared injury or death during the sexual abuse;6
  • If the perpetrator does not live with the victim1 or is not part of the immediate family;5
  • If the perpetrator is over 30 years of age;10
  • Having experienced a higher frequency of sexual abuse (acts as a facilitator or an obstacle);6,20
  • Having experienced more severe sexual abuse (e.g., with physical contact);19,20
  • If the perpetrator is a family member or has a close relationship with the victim;1,18,20
  • Attempts at manipulation and threats on the part of the perpetrator (e.g., blackmail, gifts, lies).17
  • Having experienced a higher frequency of sexual abuse (acts as a facilitator or an obstacle);6,20
Social and relational context
FacilitatorsObstacles
  • Support from parents, a caregiver (i.e., the person who regularly looks after the child), or peers1,20
  • The opportunity to disclose the sexual abuse, such as:
    • access to a trusted person;24
    • being asked, questioned or encouraged to talk about the experience of sexual abuse or sexual abuse in general;25,27
    • in a therapeutic context;1
    • during sexuality information sessions or sexual abuse prevention programs1
  • Having a low level of social or family support(18,27) or a weak social network;28
  • Having a family that strongly adheres to traditional gender roles;1
  • The presence of violence (e.g., intimate partner violence) and dysfunction in the family;1,28
  • A lack of discussion about sexuality, especially in a family context;1
  • Lack of school involvement in creating a positive and supportive environment;1
  • Lack of education and information on the resources available to victims28
Societal context
FacilitatorsObstacles
  • A societal context that promotes open discussion of sexuality1
  • Taboos about sexuality, the stigma surrounding sexual abuse, patriarchal attitudes, and the devaluation of women1,28

Reactions to the disclosure of sexual abuse

The disclosure of sexual abuse can provoke a wide range of reactions in those who receive it, and in the victim’s loved ones. The nature of the resulting reactions, whether positive or negative, has a significant impact on the recovery, coping, and psychological health of those who disclose the sexual abuse29-32.

The following table presents a few examples of positive and negative reactions and their impact on victims, drawn from the results of scientific studies on the subject.

To find out more about how to help a victim and receive their disclosure, consult the Receiving a disclosure of sexual violence section.

 

Impacts of disclosing sexual abuse

For a child, disclosing sexual abuse can be very difficult, and not disclosing can be detrimental to their physical safety and psychological well-being, as well as increase the likelihood of revictimization36. Never disclosing sexual abuse or disclosing more than a month after the event is associated with higher levels of psychological distress and post-traumatic stress, compared to those who disclose within a month of the event5. Conversely, a quicker disclosure may have a positive impact on the child’s safety and protect them from psychological distress20,37.

For parents who did not commit the sexual abuse, their child’s disclosure can be traumatic and upsetting, affecting their mental and physical health and leading to significant levels of post-traumatic stress, psychological distress, and physical problems.38,39 Mothers tend to blame themselves for the event, to be blamed by others, to feel ashamed, and to be angry.40 This can create different support needs for parents to cope with the situation. Since they are important support figures for their child following the disclosure, their needs must be considered in the services available to them38.

References

  1. Alaggia, R., D. Collin-Vézina et R. Lateef (2019). « Facilitators and barriers to child sexual abuse (CSA) disclosures: A research update (2000–2016) », Trauma, Violence & Abuse, vol. 20, n° 2, p. 260‑283.
  2. Centre canadien de protection de l’enfance (2018). Comprendre l’abus pédosexuel - Guide pour les parents et tuteurs protecteurs, [en ligne], Manitoba, Centre canadien de protection de l’enfance, <https://protectchildren.ca/pdfs/C3P_SurvivorsResources_UnderstandingChi…; (consulté le 6 juin 2022).
  3. Centre de prévention et d’intervention pour victimes d’agression sexuelle (2021). Guide à l’intention des parents - Mon enfant a été victime d’une agression sexuelle, [en ligne], Laval : Québec, Centre de prévention et d’intervention pour victimes d’agression sexuelle, <https://cpivas.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/CPIVAS_Guide-des-parents_…; (consulté le 13 novembre 2023).
  4. Fondation Marie-Vincent (2019). « Le dévoilement de la violence sexuelle », dans Fondation Marie-Vincent, [en ligne], <https://marie-vincent.org/articles-prevention/le-devoilement-de-la-viol…; (consulté le 24 janvier 2023).
  5. Hébert, M., M. Tourigny, M. Cyr, P. McDuff et J. Joly (2009). « Prevalence of childhood sexual abuse and timing of disclosure in a representative sample of adults from Quebec », Canadian Journal of Psychiatry. Revue Canadienne De Psychiatrie, vol. 54, n° 9, p. 631‑636.
  6. Bottoms, B. L., L. C. Peter-Hagene, M. A. Epstein, T. R. Wiley, C. E. Reynolds et A. G. Rudnicki (2016). « Abuse characteristics and individual differences related to disclosing childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and witnessed domestic violence », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 31, n° 7, p. 1308‑1339.
  7. Manay, N., et D. Collin-Vézina (2021). « Recipients of children’s and adolescents’ disclosures of childhood sexual abuse: A systematic review », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 116, n° Pt 1, p. 104192.
  8. Cyr, M. (2014). « Les facteurs influençant la révélation », dans ‪Recueillir la parole de l’enfant témoin ou victime. De la théorie à la pratique‪, [en ligne], Paris, Dunod, p. 7‑27.
  9. Roy, S. (7 décembre 2022). L’intervention en contexte de dévoilement d’une violence sexuelle ou dans une situation de soupçon.
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  11. Afifi, T. O., H. L. MacMillan, T. Taillieu, K. Cheung, S. Turner, L. Tonmyr et W. Hovdestad (2015). « Relationship between child abuse exposure and reported contact with child protection organizations: Results from the Canadian Community Health Survey », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 46, p. 198‑206.
  12. Ministère de la Sécurité publique (2022). Criminalité au Québec – Infractions sexuelles en 2020, [en ligne], Québec, Gouvernement du Québec, <https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/securite-publique/pub…; (consulté le 21 mars 2023).
  13. Ministère de la Sécurité publique (29 septembre 2022). Délai entre la perpétration d’une infraction sexuelle et le signalement à la police [document inédit].
  14. Rotenberg, C. (2017). Les agressions sexuelles déclarées par la police au Canada, 2009 à 2014 : un profil statistique, [en ligne], Statistique Canada, « Juristat », <https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54866-fra…; (consulté le 1 septembre 2022).
  15. Romano, E., J. Moorman, M. Ressel et J. Lyons (2019). « Men with childhood sexual abuse histories: Disclosure experiences and links with mental health », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 89, p. 212‑224.
  16. McElvaney, R., S. Greene et D. Hogan (2014). « To tell or not to tell? Factors influencing young people’s informal disclosures of child sexual abuse », Journal of Interpersonal Violence, vol. 29, n° 5, p. 928‑947.
  17. Alain, S., J. Dion et M. Cyr (2018). « Examen des caractéristiques du dévoilement de l’agression sexuelle chez les enfants et les adolescents », Revue Internationale de criminologie et de police Technique et Scientifique, vol. LXXI, p. 88‑109.
  18. Légaré, M., J. Dion, M. Cyr et C. Boulianne-Simard (2019). « Du silence au dévoilement : La résistance des enfants à rapporter une agression sexuelle en contexte d’entrevue d’enquête », Revue québécoise de psychologie, vol. 39, n° 3, p. 147‑171.
  19. Lev-Wiesel, R., et M. First (2018). « Willingness to disclose child maltreatment: CSA vs other forms of child abuse in relation to gender », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 79, p. 183‑191.
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  21. Easton, S. D., L. Y. Saltzman et D. G. Willis (2014). « “Would you tell under circumstances like that?”: Barriers to disclosure of child sexual abuse for men », Psychology of Men & Masculinity, vol. 15, n° 4, p. 460‑469.
  22. Gagnier, C., et D. Collin-Vezina (2016). « The disclosure experiences of male child sexual abuse survivors », Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, vol. 25, n° 2, p. 221‑241.
  23. Lebeau, R., et N. Godbout (30 janvier 2022). « Ces réalités dont on ne veut pas parler », dans Trace, [en ligne], <https://natachagodbout.com/fr/blogue/ces-realites-dont-ne-veut-pas-parl…; (consulté le 5 décembre 2022).
  24. Brennan, E., et R. McElvaney (2020). « What helps children tell? A qualitative meta-analysis of child sexual abuse disclosure », Child Abuse Review, vol. 29, n° 2, p. 97‑113.
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  26. Watkins-Kagebein, J., T. M. Barnett, S. Collier-Tenison et J. Blakey (2019). « They don’t listen: A qualitative interpretive meta-synthesis of children’s sexual abuse », Child & Adolescent Social Work Journal, vol. 36, n° 4, p. 337‑349.
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  33. MacIntosh, H., K. Fletcher et D. Collin-Vezina (2016). « “I was like damaged, used goods”: Thematic analysis of disclosures of childhood sexual abuse to romantic partners », Marriage & Family Review, vol. 52, n° 6, p. 598‑611.
  34. Côté, P.-B., C. Flynn, K. Dubé, M. Fernet, J. Maheu, A. Gosslin-Pelerin, P. Couturier, M. Cribb, G. Petrucci et M.-M. Cousineau (2022). « “It made me so vulnerable”: Victim-blaming and disbelief of child sexual abuse as triggers of social exclusion leading women to homelessness », Journal of Child Sexual Abuse, vol. 31, n° 2, p. 177‑195.
  35. Elliott, S. A., K. L. Goodman, E. S. Bardwell et T. M. Mullin (2022). « Reactions to the disclosure of intrafamilial childhood sexual abuse: Findings from the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 127.
  36. Azzopardi, C., R. Eirich, C. L. Rash, S. MacDonald et S. Madigan (2019). « A meta-analysis of the prevalence of child sexual abuse disclosure in forensic settings », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 93, p. 291‑304.
  37. Easton, S. D. (2019). « Childhood disclosure of sexual abuse and mental health outcomes in adulthood: Assessing merits of early disclosure and discussion », Child Abuse & Neglect, vol. 93, p. 208‑214.
  38. Cyr, M., J.-Y. Frappier, M. Hébert, M. Tourigny, P. McDuff et M.-È. Turcotte (2017). Capsule #23 : Et les parents dans tout ça? Effet du dévoilement d’une agression sexuelle sur la santé mentale et physique des mères et des pères., [en ligne], Montréal, UQÀM, « Équipe de recherche FRQ-SC – Violence sexuelle et santé (ÉVISSA) », <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10538712.2016.1228726&gt; (consulté le 27 mai 2022).
  39. Cyr, M., J.-Y. Frappier, M. Hebert, M. Tourigny, P. McDuff et M.-E. Turcotte (2018). « Impact of child sexual abuse disclosure on the health of nonoffending parents: A longitudinal perspective », Journal of Child Custody: Research, Issues, and Practices, vol. 15, n° 2, p. 147‑167.
  40. Serin, H. (2018). « Non-abusing mothers’ support needs after child sexual abuse disclosure: A narrative review », Child & Family Social Work, vol. 23, n° 3, p. 539‑548.

Authors: Maude Lachapelle, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ | Catherine Moreau, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
Contributor: Dominique Gagné, Scientific Advisor, INSPQ
External review: Roxanne Guyon, Ph. D, Assistant Professor of Sexology, Université Laval 
Jacinthe Dion, Ph. D., Full Professor in Psychology, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi

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