The effects of disclosure and intervention on sexually abused children

There has been concern that disclosure and intervention might negatively impact victims of sexual abuse. In this retrospective study, 82 children and their families were interviewed about their experiences with disclosure and intervention an average of 3.5 years later. The children and parents completed a measure of distress developed for the study which discriminated between abused and non-abused children. The children reported primarily favorable experiences and provided clinically helpful descriptions of the positive and negative aspects of intervention. More contacts with intervention professionals was associated with increased distress, placement, offender removal and testifying were not. Based on the children's comments, suggestions for improving the intervention process are made.