Religion in child sexual abuse forensic interviews

Area of Science:

• Social Science
• Child Psychology
• Sociology of Religion

Background:

• Religion is an under-studied factor influencing children's experiences with sexual victimization.
• Understanding religious influences is crucial for effective child protection services.
• Existing research inadequately addresses the intersection of religion, child sexual abuse, and disclosure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore religious influences on children's sexual abuse experiences and disclosure patterns.
• To examine the interactions between religiously observant children/families and child advocacy centers (CACs).
• To identify how CACs accommodate religious diversity and collaborate with religious communities.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 39 child forensic interviewers and CAC directors in the United States.
• Semi-structured interviews exploring perceptions of religious influences on child sexual abuse cases.
• Thematic analysis of participant discussions regarding religious contexts, justifications, and support systems.

Main Results:

• Participants reported both harmonious and dissonant interactions between religious families and CACs.
• Emergent themes included abuse within religious contexts, religious justifications for abuse, and varying levels of clergy support for disclosure.
• CACs' efforts to accommodate religious diversity and collaborate with clergy were discussed.

Conclusions:

• Religious factors present unique challenges and opportunities in addressing child sexual victimization.
• CACs must develop culturally competent strategies to support religiously diverse children and families.
• Further research and practice recommendations are needed to improve services for children in religious contexts.