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Disclosing the Details of Child Sexual Abuse: Can Imaginative Literature Help Ease the Suffering?
Author(s) -
Harrison Elizabeth
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
journal of child and adolescent psychiatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.331
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6171
pISSN - 1073-6077
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6171.2005.00022.x
Subject(s) - sexual abuse , psychology , child sexual abuse , human factors and ergonomics , medline , suicide prevention , psychotherapist , poison control , medicine , clinical psychology , medical emergency , political science , law
PROBLEM: Research indicates that full disclosure of the events surrounding child sexual abuse, while therapeutic, is often difficult to achieve.METHODS: A nonconventional research approach was employed in order to examine more closely the lived experience of these children. Two novels were analyzed using close reading.FINDINGS: Details of the events and resultant dehumanization of the children were uncovered, as well as the rescuing role of the ancestor. Writing emerged also as a therapeutic tool that facilitated disclosure and helped to promote healing.Conclusions: The analysis of imaginative literature enables the reader to examine sensitive topics like sexual abuse and contributes to its treatment.