Healing from Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: The Role of Relational Processes between Survivor and Offender

Janice Paige; Jennifer Thornton

doi:10.1017/cha.2015.21

journal article Jul 23, 2015

Healing from Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: The Role of Relational Processes between Survivor and Offender

Janice Paige Jennifer Thornton

Children Australia Vol. 40 No. 3 pp. 242-259 · The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare

View at Publisher Save 10.1017/cha.2015.21

Abstract

The research aim was to discover the circumstances, if any, in which contact with the parent who had abused them, could help survivors of intrafamilial child sexual abuse (ICSA) to recover from the inherent relational trauma. Thirty-five (31 female and 4 male) participants were recruited from across Australia and New Zealand to speak about their experience of post-abuse contact. The research methodology was primarily qualitative, and analysed in a contextual framework. In the Pre-Contact stage, themes such as the need for empowerment versus the fear of the response, linked to motivations for and against contact. Emotional reactions, and issues of acknowledgment and apology were core themes in the Contact stage. Post-contact themes related to evaluation of the overall experience. The majority of participants believed that their contact experience had helped more than hindered their recovery. Participants articulated the need for more public education about the complexity of ICSA, more options for dealing with the crime, and access to non-judgmental professional help for all the family at disclosure. The emergent themes provide a valuable guide for future research, policy and practice and perhaps most importantly, insight into the needs of victims and their recovery processes.

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References

Details

Published: Jul 23, 2015
Vol/Issue: 40(3)
Pages: 242-259
License: View

Authors

Cite This Article

Janice Paige, Jennifer Thornton (2015). Healing from Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: The Role of Relational Processes between Survivor and Offender. Children Australia, 40(3), 242-259. https://doi.org/10.1017/cha.2015.21

Healing from Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: The Role of Relational Processes between Survivor and Offender

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