Children typically disclose purposefully because they want the abuse to stop, or are seeking emotional support in dealing with the abuse. Some children report when the perpetrator has left their environment, so they feel safe in reporting. Articles cited by Dutton:Alaggia et al, 2019; Crisma et al., 2004; Dutton, 2011; Jensen et al., 2005; Lamb […]
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Recantation of valid reports of abuse are most often associated with lack of maternal support of the reporting victim. Child victims may recant due to pressure from mothers or other non-supportive relatives. Children may recant when they experience negative consequences as a result of the abuse discovery. Articles cited by Dutton:Bradley & Wood, 1990 ; DeVoe
Reluctant Disclosers and Avoidant Children in Forensic InterviewsChildren use several common tactics to avoid discussing embarrassing or traumatic details in forensic interviews. Lack of memory, question avoidance, changing subjects, or refusing to answer questions are common strategies children employ. Articles cited by Dutton:Dutton, 2011; Hershkowitz et al., 2007: Lamb et al, 2013.Areas of Inquiry and
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Script memory refers to memory of the general pattern of repeated events. Memory tends to stay more stable for script memory. Episodic memory refers to a memory for a specific incident. Articles cited by Dutton: Brubacher & La Rooy, 2014; Brubacher et al, 2013; Fivush, 1993; Greenberg et al., 1998; McNicol et al., 1999; Roberts
Exploratory sexual behavior is common in young children. However, certain sexual behaviors are more common in children who have experienced sexual abuse than children with no history of abuse. These behaviors include: asking to engage in sexual acts, engaging in oral/genital contact, inserting objects into vagina/anus, imitating sexual behavior with dolls, compulsive masturbation, and imitating
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Most children report that they are abused by someone with whom they have a relationship or acquaintance. The minority of cases of CSA are committed by someone unknown to the child. Articles cited by Dutton:Berliner & Conte, 1990; Conte et al., 1989; Elliot et al, 1995; Emerick & Dutton, 1993; Finkelhor et al., 1990 ; London
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Research on how trauma impacts memory.
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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
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Children tend to under-report the extent of their abuse experiences. Research studies comparing children’s reports of abuse with audio or video recordings of their abuse or perpetrators’ confessions indicated that children under-report. Articles cited by Dutton:Bidrose & Goodman, 2000; Cederborg et al., 2007; Dutton, 2011; Emerick & Dutton, 1993, Leander et al., 2005. Areas of
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Dr. Dutton explains (2022): Young children typically disclose people they believe will be supportive, usually their primary caretakers. As girls grow older, they may be just as likely to tell a close friend or relative, especially if their abusers are their caretakers’ significant others. As boys grow older, they typically tell their primary caretakers, until
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