RT Article
T1 Aspects of Selective Sexual Assault Disclosure: Qualitative Interviews With Survivors and Their Informal Supports
JF Journal of interpersonal violence
VO 39
IS 1/2
SP 263
OP 289
A1 Ullman, Sarah E.
LA English
YR 2024
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1876266996
AB Two-thirds of survivors typically disclose their experience to informal supports (e.g., friends, family, partners) at some point following sexual assault, but little in-depth research has addressed specific aspects of disclosure. In the current study, a diverse sample of 45 sexual assault survivors and their informal support providers (SP; e.g., family, friends, romantic partners) were interviewed separately about experiences of disclosure, social reactions, and help-seeking following the assault. Narrative data on the overarching thematic category of selective disclosure were analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Several subthemes emerged specific to (a) the circumstances of disclosure (prompted or coerced), (b) withholding details (framing disclosures to avoid rape myths and blame, strategic use of language, protecting others by not disclosing or limiting details), and (c) sharing details (selecting who was told, selecting trusted others for disclosure, selective details told to specific people, sharing with strangers easier). Implications are drawn for future research on aspects of selective disclosure of sexual assault and clinical practice implications for supporting survivors and their informal support networks.
K1 Women
K1 support provider
K1 selective
K1 survivor
K1 Disclosure
K1 Sexual Assault
DO 10.1177/08862605231195808