Relationship Between The "Sexual Abuse Whirlpool" and Gender, Type of Abuse, Victim-Perpetrator Relationship, Disclosure, Psychological Reactions, and Revictimization of Sexual Abuse Victims

Int J Offender Ther Comp Criminol. 2023 Nov;67(15):1493-1508. doi: 10.1177/0306624X231159876. Epub 2023 Mar 9.

Abstract

According to the Sexual Abuse Whirlpool framework, when a vulnerable child is noticed by a perpetrator, the state of vulnerability he/she is in will reach a severe level. The SAW asserts that the method applied by the perpetrator has a multiplier effect on the child's vulnerability and accelerates the process resulting in abuse. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between the SAW and gender, type of abuse, victim-perpetrator relationship, disclosure, psychological complaints and reactions (PCRs), and revictimization of sexual abuse victims. A mixed research method was used: First, the vulnerabilities of the victims were extracted from the forensic interview forms with a qualitative method (n = 199). Then collected data were tabulated and digitized quantitatively. Victims who were exposed to penetrative abuses, who did not disclose, had serious PCRs, and who were re-victimized had high scores of the SAW. Whirlpool would decrease in places where there is a quality parent-child relationship.

Keywords: Routine Activities Theory; Sexual Abuse Whirlpool; sexual abuse; victim; vulnerability.

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Child Abuse* / psychology
  • Child Abuse, Sexual* / psychology
  • Crime Victims* / psychology
  • Disclosure
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Parent-Child Relations