Szojka, Zsofia ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4126-1261, Wylie, Breanne, Nogalska, Agnieszka, Reay, Annabelle and Lyon, Thomas D. (2025) Recanting children’s descriptions of influences and pressures to recant intrafamilial child sexual abuse. Child Maltreatment. ISSN 1077-5595 (Print), 1552-6119 (Online) (In Press)

PDF (Author's Accepted Manuscript) 51900 SZOJKA_Recanting_Children_s_Descriptions_Of_Influences_And_Pressures_(AAM)_2025.pdf - Accepted Version Restricted to Repository staff only Download (380kB) | Request a copy

Abstract

This study examined interviews with 53 4- to 15-year-old children recanting sexual abuse to determine whether they were forthcoming about potential influences and pressures that could have led them to recant. The great majority (87%) of children mentioned one or more influences or pressures. With respect to influences, about half of children mentioned their positive feelings for the suspect, and about a third mentioned negative consequences for the suspect. About 30% disclosed that their immediate family missed the suspect. About half mentioned concerns about separation from their family, and almost 30% discussed negative consequences for their mother. Pressures from others were mentioned by about half of children. They rarely mentioned pressures from the suspect, but over a third disclosed family pressures, most often the lack of maternal support. Over two-thirds of children described feeling guilty and other internal influences. The results provide preliminary support for questioning recanting children about influences and pressures.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	recantation, child sexual abuse, intrafamilial abuse, forensic interview
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology K Law > K Law (General) R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Law and Criminology
Last Modified:	05 Dec 2025 13:02
URI:	https://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/51900

Actions (login required)

View Item

Downloads