Unveiling Child Sexual Abuse Disclosure in China: An Ecological Exploration of Survivors' Experiences

• Published in: Children (Basel) Vol. 11; no. 6; p. 688
• Main Authors: Tian, Tian, Katz, Ilan, Shang, Xiaoyuan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 04-06-2024; MDPI
• Subjects: Analysis; Child abuse & neglect; child disclosure; Child sexual abuse; China; Culture; Disclosure; ecological analysis; Families & family life; Influence; Meta-analysis; online; Parents & parenting; Pedophilia; Sex crimes; Sexual abuse; Social networks; Survivor; Third party; China; Hong Kong China; Australia; ecological analysis; online; child disclosure; China; child sexual abuse
• ISSN: 2227-9067; 2227-9067
• DOI: 10.3390/children11060688

Through a thematic analysis of firsthand posts from 258 abuse survivors in online forums from 2016 to 2023, this research examines the barriers that Chinese children encounter when disclosing sexual abuse. The anonymous narratives shed light on the motives behind survivors' reluctance to reveal abuse, the outcomes following disclosure, and the wider implications for survivors and their families under culture. The findings underscore the need for early intervention upon disclosure, aiming to safeguard children from further harm and foster the development of an effective child protection framework.