Dissertation
Interwoven: Disentangling the complexity of intrafamilial child sexual abuse to elucidate everyday parent and child prevention strategies
University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Doctor of Philosophy, University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
2024
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25907/00875
Abstract
Child sexual abuse that is perpetrated in family contexts can begin from the earliest years of a child’s life and can significantly impact the child’s everyday support systems in long lasting ways. With well documented and potentially life-long consequences, it is unsurprising that there is widespread support for enhanced prevention and a growing library of prevention research. However, the complexity inherent in family dynamics can complicate child sexual abuse prevention and impact the ways that prevention knowledge is shared with those who are best placed to enact strategies—family members themselves.
There are numerous barriers to disseminating effective child sexual abuse prevention strategies to families. Along with practical barriers such as cost, time, the busyness of modern family life and the lack of external supervision in the private and intimate family spaces, there are emotional barriers linked to family dynamics and the ineffability of child sexual abuse. The notion that a victim or perpetrator could be a member of one’s own family is difficult to contemplate, and ineffability can lead to avoidance of the topic. Limiting communication about intrafamilial child sexual abuse can perpetuate myths about the phenomenon and how best to prevent and respond to it. Thus, there is a need to think carefully about how evidence-based facts about preventing intrafamilial child sexual abuse can be shared with families.
Details
- Title
- Interwoven: Disentangling the complexity of intrafamilial child sexual abuse to elucidate everyday parent and child prevention strategies
- Authors
- Shona Innes - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Contributors
- Ross Watkins (Principal Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative IndustriesSusan Rayment-McHugh (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention UnitHarriot Beazley (Co-Supervisor) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Sustainability Research Cluster
- Awarding institution
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Degree awarded
- Doctor of Philosophy
- Publisher
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- DOI
- 10.25907/00875
- Organisation Unit
- School of Business and Creative Industries; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991066898902621
- Output Type
- Dissertation
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