“Necesito Romper El Silencio”: A Phenomenological Analysis of the Disclosure Experiences of Latinx Immigrant Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
Abstract
Background: Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a silent epidemic – frequently underreported. Although several studies have examined factors related to disclosure and nondisclosure, most do not explore how immigration and cultural barriers or the relationship between the abuser and the child influences disclosure. In addition, very few studies focused on CSA among Latinx (gender-inclusive term) and immigrant communities. Objective: This study aimed to explore barriers to disclosing sexual abuse from the perspective of adult survivors of CSA. Participants and Setting: 14 survivors of CSA (thirteen women and one man), aged 21-52 years old. The immigrant and migrant Latinx survivors were receiving services at an NYC community-based sexual and domestic violence organization, Violence Intervention Program. Method: A convenience sampling technique was used to recruit participants, and a qualitative semistructured interview method was employed. A hermeneutic phenomenological design and reflective thematic analysis were used to assess the data collected in the study. Results: Our analysis resulted in five themes: Culture; Relationship to the abuser; Immigration and acculturation; Experiences of first disclosure; and Impact of CSA. Conclusions: The main finding was that culture, immigration status, and the relationship of the abuser negatively impact the disclosure of CSA. In addition, the findings indicate that negative reactions to first-time disclosures can impact further disclosure.
Subject Area
Social work|Social psychology|Latin American Studies
Recommended Citation
Conforme, Rosaana, "“Necesito Romper El Silencio”: A Phenomenological Analysis of the Disclosure Experiences of Latinx Immigrant Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse" (2023). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI30494111.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI30494111
