The Psychological Effect of a Disclosure of Child Sexual Assault

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Child sexual assault (CSA) is a reality for many children, affecting extensive areas of their psychological functioning. The discovery of child sexual assault is a major stressor in the lives of a child’s non-offending parent. Numerous studies have revealed that the attachment and support of the non-offending parent, most commonly the mother, has an impact on the child’s long-term adjustment to the abusive experience. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of a disclosure of sexual assault on the non-offending mother and her relationship with her child. Specifically, this study examined parenting stress, attachment, and coping styles in mothers of children who have been sexually assaulted, and examined if the impact of a child’s disclosure is different depending upon the identity of the perpetrator and the perpetrator’s relationship to the mother. The outcomes of this study have implications for informing assessment and intervention practices, to better facilitate the adjustment of children and families who have been affected by CSA.