Shattered Chains: Shedding Light on Child Sexual Abuse in the Black Community

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) remains deeply silenced in many Black communities, where cultural stigma, historical trauma, and systemic mistrust often discourage disclosure and limit access to supportive resources. These barriers contribute to delayed intervention, untreated trauma, and long-term psychological, emotional, and relational harms. This theoretical manuscript synthesizes interdisciplinary scholarship to examine CSA disclosure among Black children through three interconnected frameworks: Critical Race Theory, Attachment Theory, and Trauma-Informed Care, which illuminate how structural racism, relational dynamics, and trauma shape children's safety, trust, and willingness to seek help. Using a theory-synthesized conceptual framework approach, this paper integrates cultural, systemic, and relational influences to explain how silence surrounding CSA is produced and sustained within Black families, churches, and community institutions. This manuscript also explores facilitators of disclosure, including caregiver responsiveness, culturally grounded education, and trauma-informed practices that validate children's experiences and reduce stigma. Practical implications are offered for mental health professionals, educators, and faith leaders who seek to create safe and supportive environments that promote early disclosure and healing. By situating CSA within its broader sociocultural and historical context, this manuscript advances a culturally responsive framework to guide prevention, community engagement, and survivor-centered interventions. Breaking the silence requires intentional efforts that honor cultural values, address systemic inequities, and empower trusted adults to protect children and support children's recovery and resilience.