Opportunity indicators in victim's narratives of child sexual abuse

• In Event: Examining the Situational Factors and Consequences of Child Abuse and Maltreatment

Abstract

The prevalence of child sexual abuse (CSA) has resulted in serious long-term consequences for victims, perpetrators, and the community. Investigating the opportunity structure of CSA can increase the knowledge in this area and better inform prevention programs. Most available research on this topic has predominantly focused on perpetrators' narratives and perspectives. The current study seeks to explore the crime opportunity and facilitators of child sexual abuse while focusing on children's narratives, experiences, and perceptions of the perpetrators' coercion and exploitation. A sample will be drawn from forensic interviews of suspected CSA victims who sought treatment at a large, Midwestern child advocacy center from 2013 to 2015 (N=80). Content analysis of victim's narratives of sexual abuse illustrate themes of perpetrator opportunity, exposure, target congruence, and guardianship. Identified themes are compared across age, gender, the victim's relationship to the perpetrator, and the victimization experienced. Directions for future research and prevention policy is discussed.

Authors

• Nicole Lasky, Northeastern State University

• Michelle L. Wojcik, University of Cincinnati

• Bonnie Fisher, University of Cincinnati

• Amy Cassedy, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center

• Emily Eismann, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children

• Robert Shapiro, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children

• Heidi Malott, Mayerson Center for Safe and Healthy Children