Disclosures occur in three ways – accidental, prompted, and purposeful. Accidental disclosure refers to situations in which the victim had no intention of telling, but the abuse is discovered by medical diagnosis, or witness observation. Prompted disclosures occur when a child is asked a direct question or in response to personal safety information. Purposeful disclosures are initiated by the victim.

Articles cited by Dutton:
Alaggia, 2004; Alaggia et al, 2019; DeVoe & Faller, 1999; Dutton, 2011; Sorensen & Snow, 1991.

Areas of Inquiry and Summary for Expert Testimony and Supporting Research Citations
Wendy A. Dutton, M.A., Ph.D., LPC, February 2022