Adults’ Experiences of Engaging with Child Protection Services to make Retrospective Disclosures of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Funding Organisation/Programme: IRC New Foundations & other sources
Principal Investigator: Dr Joseph Mooney, Asst. Prof. (Social Work), UCD School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice.
Background
This study was undertaken by Dr Joseph Mooney and builds on his earlier doctoral research. The background to this study is the fact that disclosure of childhood sexual abuse can be an extremely difficult and, in some instances, an insurmountable task. People tend to delay disclosure, many until adulthood (London et al, 2005; Alaggia, 2004, 2005). For others still, and for a variety of reasons, their experiences are never disclosed. During the Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland study (SAVI) conducted in 2002, forty seven percent of those who had experienced sexual abuse in childhood had not told anyone prior to being asked in the research interview (McGee, Garavan, de Barra, Byrne, and Conroy, 2002). International research also suggests that rates of disclosure of childhood sexual abuse to state authorities may be lower still (Alaggia, Collin-Vézina and Lateef, 2019).
Importance of research on disclosure of childhood sexual abuse?
International research hints at the potentially large, hidden population impacted by childhood sexual abuse but also poses questions about the difficulties and challenges people may face in coming forward.
Under Irish child protection policy, adults who do come forward to disclose frequently have interactions with the state child protection services (CPS). Such interactions, known as retrospective disclosures, have been a feature of Irish child protection policy since 1999 and are defined as “disclosures by adults of abuse which took place during their childhood” (Department of Health and Children, 1999, p39). Since 1999 problematic issues and inconsistencies in practice and policy relating to the receipt, management and assessment of such disclosures by child protection services have been identified (Mooney, 2018, 2021; O’Mahony, 2020; Office of the Ombudsman, 2017; Health and Information Quality Authority (HIQA), 2018). Some of the issues identified have included the following: Delays in responding to adults who disclose (e.g. Office of the Ombudsman, 2017), potential risk posed to children due to non-assessment of alleged perpetrators (e.g. HIQA, 2015), A perceived lack of expertise in child protection agencies when responding to adults who come forward (e.g. Mooney, 2021); A lack of a robust legal basis upon which CPS can conduct assessments of such disclosures (O’Mahony, 2020; Mooney, 2018). At present, key stakeholders in the field of therapy, advocacy, and support highlight that these issues may be further compounded by recent developments in respect of mandatory reporting and data protection (Baker, 2021).
What are the aims and objectives of the research?
Using an anonymous online survey, this research project examined contemporary experiences of disclosure of child sexual abuse to child protection services. In the context of engaging with child protection services, the objectives of the study were to explore: to what extent are adults already experiencing the types of supports included in the EU Victim’s Directive; adult’s experiences of data protection, when engaging with CPS; and what factors currently may act as facilitators and barriers to disclosure of childhood sexual abuse to child protection services. What methodology was used? This study sought to explore these contemporary experiences of engagement with Child Protection Services using an anonymous online survey.
What is the impact of this research conducted by Dr Joseph Mooney?
Due to this research and the wider body of work in this area of research, Dr Mooney was invited to participate in stakeholder consultations being held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to develop a revised policy in this area of social work practice. The contribution of this work was acknowledged in the new national policy for responding to child abuse and neglect, the Child Abuse Substantiation Procedure (CASP). Dr Mooney has been invited, by Tusla’s CEO, to act as chair of an independent review of the CASP policy which will be conducted in Summer 2022- Autumn 2023. His work in this area has also been cited by HIQA, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (now DCEDIY), and the Government Special Rapporteur on Child Protection.
The following include a list of publications including a research report, conference presentations and a blog.
Research Report: Mooney, J. 2021, Barriers or Pathways? Aiding retrospective disclosures of childhood sexual abuse to child protection services, Research Report, School of Social Policy, Social Work, and Social Justice.
Seminar: Disclosure of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Facilitating, Encouraging, and Supporting, October 8, 2021. YouTube Link to the Seminar: Session 1: https://youtu.be/q7V0IfhtVnc; Session 2: (opens in a new window)https://youtu.be/gF8VP7lIk6k; Session 3: (opens in a new window)https://youtu.be/Y6KtHg8ry6o
For further information please contact Dr Joseph Mooney. Email:(opens in a new window) joseph.mooney1@ucd.ie