Muted but not silent: Factors influencing sexual abuse disclosure among adolescents in Gutu district, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study aimed to establish factors that inhibit sexual abuse disclosure among adolescents: to identify factors that promote sexual abuse disclosure among adolescents and to develop strategies that can promote early sexual abuse disclosure. Adolescents aged between 10 and 17 years (n = 12), who experienced sexual abuse and disclosed immediately or after sometime, were purposively selected. A qualitative research approach which made use of the phenomenological research design was used to collect data. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse the data. The results of the study revealed that the inhibiting factors of sexual abuse disclosure included fear of perpetrator, fear of parent’s reaction, non-comprehension of sexual abuse, positive relationship with abuser and uncertainty as to how and to whom to disclose to. Shock and disbelief, beatings and threats and negative effects of sexual abuse also facilitate disclosure of sexual abuse among adolescent survivors of sexual abuse.

Keywords: Child sexual abuse, adolescents, sexual abuse disclosure, Gutu;