Victims who disclose abuse can be ‘retraumatised’

A study has found that adults who disclose abuse they suffered when they were younger can end up “retraumatised” because of issues with how their disclosures are dealt with, including delays and poor communication.

Research to be presented today at the seventh National Child Protection and Welfare Social Work Conference in Cork shows that among the worries faced by those who have made retrospective abuse disclosures is not knowing what happens to their information, who will be told, and when the alleged perpetrator will be contacted.