Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(6), April 2012, pp.1155-1175.
Publisher:
Sage
Nondisclosure and delays in disclosure of child sexual abuse are of particular concern in the field of child protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the process of how children tell of their experiences of child sexual abuse from the perspectives of the young people and their parents. The study is based on semistructured interviews with 22 young people in Ireland, 16 girls and 6 boys, ranging in age from 8 years to 18 years as part of a larger study exploring disclosure experiences. A theoretical model was developed that conceptualises the process of disclosure as one of containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Three key dynamics were identified: the active withholding of the secret on the part of the child; the experience of a ‘pressure cooker effect’ reflecting a conflict between the wish to tell and the wish to keep the secret; and the confiding itself which often occurs in the context of an intimacy being shared. The findings support the position that children’s experiences of disclosure are multidetermined, and suggest the need for multifaceted and multisystemic approaches to prevention and intervention. The need for the secret to be contained, individually and interpersonally in appropriate safeguarding and therapeutic contexts needs to be respected in helping children tell.
Nondisclosure and delays in disclosure of child sexual abuse are of particular concern in the field of child protection. The aim of this study was to investigate the process of how children tell of their experiences of child sexual abuse from the perspectives of the young people and their parents. The study is based on semistructured interviews with 22 young people in Ireland, 16 girls and 6 boys, ranging in age from 8 years to 18 years as part of a larger study exploring disclosure experiences. A theoretical model was developed that conceptualises the process of disclosure as one of containing the secret of child sexual abuse. Three key dynamics were identified: the active withholding of the secret on the part of the child; the experience of a ‘pressure cooker effect’ reflecting a conflict between the wish to tell and the wish to keep the secret; and the confiding itself which often occurs in the context of an intimacy being shared. The findings support the position that children’s experiences of disclosure are multidetermined, and suggest the need for multifaceted and multisystemic approaches to prevention and intervention. The need for the secret to be contained, individually and interpersonally in appropriate safeguarding and therapeutic contexts needs to be respected in helping children tell.
Subject terms:
parents, privacy, child protection, child sexual abuse, disclosure;
Journal of Technology in Human Services, 37(2-3), 2019, pp.142-158.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
... workers themselves consider it acceptable to gather information on clients through social media. The research identifies a range of ethical issues for social workers to navigate and highlights their need for support and guidance in the form of standards, codes, and education and training. The surveillance lens illuminates the ethical dilemmas being faced with reference to concepts such as power, privacy
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article reports on findings from a study with recently qualified social workers on the use of social media in their practice. The findings reported here are drawn from a broader study on the use of electronic communications conducted with both newly qualified teachers and social workers. The focus group data reported here provide an insight into the practice realities associated with the use of social media by clients and social workers. The qualitative methodology employed helps to reveal the richness and complexity of technology use in practice. This rich picture reveals multi-directional surveillance, by clients and social workers, facilitated by social media. This includes surveillance by clients taking videos of meetings without consent. The article also highlights situations when social workers themselves consider it acceptable to gather information on clients through social media. The research identifies a range of ethical issues for social workers to navigate and highlights their need for support and guidance in the form of standards, codes, and education and training. The surveillance lens illuminates the ethical dilemmas being faced with reference to concepts such as power, privacy and consent as well as the broader debate of care and control in social work.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
social media, confidentiality, privacy, social networks, digital technology, information technology, social work, ethics, social workers, qualitative research, informed consent, newly qualified social workers;