“I did not Feel the Need to Disclose”: Identifying Factors Impeding the Disclosure of Child Abuse Experiences in a Population With Maltreatment History

Abstract

Although child abuse leads to significant short-term and long-term consequences, many children and adolescents choose not to disclose. The present study aimed to explore the rates of disclosure, and factors associated with nondisclosure of child physical, sexual, and online sexual abuse, in a population with maltreatment history. A sample of 200 adolescents (aged 12-18 years old) were recruited from the Stine Sofie Centre, a learning and coping centre for children and adolescents who have been exposed to child maltreatment. The data was collected through a self-report questionnaire. Within this sample, 55.9% had experienced online sexual abuse. Many had also experienced sexual abuse by adults (51.1%) and physical abuse (50.3%). Those aged 16-18 were more likely to experience sexual abuse by adults without contact, sexual abuse by peers with and without contact and online sexual abuse than those aged 12-15. Online sexual abuse was the least disclosed type of abuse (67.3%). The most frequently reported reason for non-disclosure across all types of abuse was “Did not feel the need to disclose” (36.0%). Additionally, the results show that many adolescents report attitudes that might impede help-seeking. A total of 82.4% reported knowing an adult they trusted and could talk to if poorly treated at home. Mothers were the most frequently reported as the person to talk to if experiencing something difficult at home, followed by friends.