How parents manage the risk of child sexual abuse: a grounded theory

Babatsikos, Georgia;Miles, Debra

Abstract

The aim of this study is to understand how parents manage the risk of child sexual abuse, including prevention as well as early intervention and detection strategies. Using a social constructivist theoretical foundation and grounded theory methods, qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with Australian parents between 2006 and 2008. Based on the data, a balance theory was developed, which explains how parents attempt to balance the type of information given to children in order to protect their children from sexual abuse without scaring them as well as how parents manage sexual boundary crossing incidents experienced by their children in the context of complex social relationships. Implications for prevention programs as well as reporting of child sexual abuse are discussed.

Journal

Journal of Child Sexual Abuse

Publication Name

Journal of Child Sexual Abuse

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ISBN/ISSN

1547-0679

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Publisher

Taylor & Francis

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DOI

10.1080/10538712.2015.981352