N Kellogg, W Koek and S Nienow, “Factors that prevent, prompt, and delay disclosures in female victims of child sexual abuse” (2020) 101 Child Abuse & Neglect e104360.

This study looks at factors that prevent, prompt and delay disclosure of child sexual abuse in patients presenting for medical evaluations of sexual abuse or assault, and identifies differences in disclosure tendencies among female pre-adolescents and adolescents. Young age (<11 years) at the onset of abuse was the strongest predictor of disclosure delay in both age groups. Fear of consequences to self was the most common reason for delay in both groups. Three other factors predicted delays for pre-adolescent females: severity of abuse; adult perpetrator; and self-blame. The paper concludes that disclosure tendency is likely influenced strongly by social and moral development during middle childhood. Reducing fear of consequences should be included in strategies designed to promote disclosure.