How does COVID-19 impact intrafamilial child sexual abuse? Comparison analysis of reports by practitioners in Israel and the US

Autor: Carmit Katz, Jane F. Silovsky, Amitai Marmor, Abbie Newman, Erin K. Taylor, Dafna Tener, Jennifer D. Shields
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Child abuse
Adult
Male
050103 clinical psychology
medicine.medical_specialty
Safety net
media_common.quotation_subject
Health Personnel
Psychological intervention
Context (language use)
Disclosure
Article
Surveys and Questionnaires
Pandemic
medicine
Developmental and Educational Psychology
Humans
0501 psychology and cognitive sciences
Pediatrics
Perinatology
and Child Health
Israel
Psychiatry
Child
Legal profession
Pandemics
Qualitative Research
media_common
Aged
Intrafamilial child sexual abuse
SARS-CoV-2
05 social sciences
COVID-19
Child Abuse
Sexual
Middle Aged
United States
Psychiatry and Mental health
bi-national comparison
Child sexual abuse
Pediatrics
Perinatology and Child Health
professional interventions
Female
Family Relations
Psychology
Welfare
050104 developmental & child psychology
Zdroj: Child Abuse & Neglect
ISSN: 1873-7757
Popis: Background There is consensus in child sexual abuse (CSA) literature that intrafamilial child sexual abuse (IFCSA) has a tremendous impact on children and families while simultaneously creating challenges for practitioners. COVID-19 impacted countries worldwide and generated a global crisis resulting in impacts on daily life, however, it’s effect on IFCSA is unknown. Objective This study aimed to compare professional perspectives and experiences working with IFCSA with respect to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic within the United States and Israel. Participants and setting Participants were therapeutic, child welfare and legal professionals, who provided services to children involved in IFCSA. Methods This qualitative cross-cultural comparative study analyzes professional experiences of IFCSA during COVID-19 based on an open-ended questionnaire answered online, with 37 responses from the US and 23 responses from Israel. Results Findings reveal mostly negative changes in the dynamics of IFCSA families during COVID-19, including financial, environmental, and emotional hardships, as well as some positive changes in the relationships among family members. In terms of professional interventions, concerns were raised that COVID-19 has been detrimental to the disclosure of IFCSA, with plummeting child abuse reports. Further, risk and benefits of transferring to internet based or telephonic therapeutic interventions were shared. Conclusions Governmental and community efforts are needed to develop a safety net of protective factors to reduce IFCSA risks and increase resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic and future global crises. Moreover, enhanced strategies to accessing and supporting families remotely such as using technology could improve identification and response to IFCSA.
Databáze: OpenAIRE
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