Religion in child sexual abuse forensic interviews

Amy C Tishelman; Lisa A Fontes

doi:10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.025

Religion in child sexual abuse forensic interviews

Child Abuse Negl. 2017 Jan:63:120-130. doi: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.025. Epub 2016 Nov 30.

Authors

Amy C Tishelman¹, Lisa A Fontes²

Affiliations

¹ Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children's Hospital, and Harvard Medical School, USA. Electronic address: amy.tishelman@childrens.harvard.edu.
² University Without Walls, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 100 Venture Way, Hadley, MA 01035, USA. Electronic address: LFontes@uww.umass.edu.

PMID: 27914237
DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.11.025

Abstract

Religion is an under-studied factor affecting children's sexual victimization and their willingness to discuss such experiences. In this qualitative study, 39 child forensic interviewers and child advocacy center (CAC) directors in the United States discussed religious influences on children's sexual abuse experiences, their relationships to CACs, and their disclosures in the forensic setting. Participants reported both harmonious and dissonant interactions between religiously observant children and families on one hand and child advocacy centers on the other. Themes emerged related to abuse in religious contexts and religious justifications for abuse; clergy and religious supports for disclosures as well as suppression of disclosures; and the ways CACS accommodate religious diversity and forge collaborations with clergy. Participants discussed a wide range of religions. Recommendations for practice and research are included.

Keywords: Catholic; Child advocacy centers; Child sexual abuse; Christian; Investigative interviews; Jewish; Religion.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Child Abuse*
Child Advocacy
Child, Preschool
Clergy
Disclosure
Female
Forensic Psychiatry
Humans
Interview, Psychological*
Male
Religion*
United States