Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse
Abstract Cultural norms and beliefs that negatively sanction discussions about child sexual abuse (CSA) behaviours remain significant barriers to victim disclosure and prevention in Ghana, particularly in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). These cultural norms could influence how sur...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Discover Psychology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00286-4 |
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| _version_ | 1846171658243538944 |
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| author | Felix Mensah Alhassan Abdullah Ebenezer Cudjoe |
| author_facet | Felix Mensah Alhassan Abdullah Ebenezer Cudjoe |
| author_sort | Felix Mensah |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Cultural norms and beliefs that negatively sanction discussions about child sexual abuse (CSA) behaviours remain significant barriers to victim disclosure and prevention in Ghana, particularly in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). These cultural norms could influence how survivors of IFCSA interpret the abuse and cope with associated trauma. We explored the life stories of four IFCSA survivors in Ghana through a biographical narrative interview, and the findings highlighted cases of gender dynamics, rationalisation of IFCSA, and challenging family practices. The findings highlight multiple cultural norms that underlie IFCSA cases, including taboos on disclosure of IFCSA, gender norms regarding male victims, and the importance of “face-saving” and safeguarding family image. Implications for practice are discussed. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3ce0d171d7fc4b348fa995bf1fea32b2 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2731-4537 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Psychology |
| spelling | doaj-art-3ce0d171d7fc4b348fa995bf1fea32b22024-11-10T12:37:57ZengSpringerDiscover Psychology2731-45372024-11-014111210.1007/s44202-024-00286-4Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuseFelix Mensah0Alhassan Abdullah1Ebenezer Cudjoe2Department of Sociology and Social Work, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and TechnologySchool of Social Work and Arts, Charles Sturt UniversityDepartment of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of EssexAbstract Cultural norms and beliefs that negatively sanction discussions about child sexual abuse (CSA) behaviours remain significant barriers to victim disclosure and prevention in Ghana, particularly in cases of intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). These cultural norms could influence how survivors of IFCSA interpret the abuse and cope with associated trauma. We explored the life stories of four IFCSA survivors in Ghana through a biographical narrative interview, and the findings highlighted cases of gender dynamics, rationalisation of IFCSA, and challenging family practices. The findings highlight multiple cultural norms that underlie IFCSA cases, including taboos on disclosure of IFCSA, gender norms regarding male victims, and the importance of “face-saving” and safeguarding family image. Implications for practice are discussed.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00286-4Intrafamilial child sexual abuseDisclosure of sexual abuseCultureChild sexual abuseGhana |
| spellingShingle | Felix Mensah Alhassan Abdullah Ebenezer Cudjoe Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse Discover Psychology Intrafamilial child sexual abuse Disclosure of sexual abuse Culture Child sexual abuse Ghana |
| title | Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| title_full | Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| title_fullStr | Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| title_short | Unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| title_sort | unpacking norms shaping disclosure of intrafamilial child sexual abuse |
| topic | Intrafamilial child sexual abuse Disclosure of sexual abuse Culture Child sexual abuse Ghana |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00286-4 |
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