Child sexual abuse

Helping families when child sexual abuse is suspected but not proven

Odd Arne Tjersland , Svein Mossige , Wenke Gulbrandsen , Tine K. Jensen and Sissel Reichelt


This paper reports from a project investigating reactions within families when intra-familial child sexual abuse was suspected, and family members' responses to a therapeutic approach. Data were obtained from therapeutic sessions and follow-up interviews with mothers, children and alleged perpetrators. Before treatment the mothers felt uncertain as to how to interpret the children's unclear signs. The children had severe symptoms, but had seldom disclosed abuse. The alleged perpetrators were often not informed about the suspicions. The families were in a state of crisis and shock, and communication within the family was characterized by uncertainty about what to talk about and whether the suspicions should be shared. In most cases after treatment the conflicts had been reduced, the children had few symptoms, supervised contact had been established, and the clients were satisfied with the treatment. One conclusion is that therapeutic sessions, where family members share information about concerns and take part in the decisions of how to protect children, seem relevant and helpful to the clients in unclear abuse cases.

Child & Family Social Work
Volume 11 Page 297 - November 2006