Unique research into diaries of children who experienced sexual abuse

Some children only share their deepest secrets with their diary. This year, a new study will be launched in which diary entries will be analysed to gain a better understanding of how children in situations of sexual abuse think and cope. Never before have diary entries referring to situations of sexual abuse been examined through the eyes of children. 
 

Why this study?

Many studies on sexual abuse focus on the long-term consequences. However, little is known about how children experience and survive their situation at the time. This study aims to increase that understanding by analysing old diaries written by men and women who are now adults. 

"It is not uncommon for children to remain silent about sexual abuse for years," says Iva Bicanic, clinical psychologist and head of the National Psychotrauma Centre for Children and Young People (UMC Utrecht). "They blame themselves and are afraid of the consequences if it comes out. But what happens in their inner world in the period leading up to the disclosure? How do they explain the situation to themselves? What do they write in their diaries about their experiences? With this research, we hope to find language that will enable us to connect with children who are currently being abused earlier and better, so that they feel understood and seen."

The research is being conducted by a PhD student at UMC Utrecht, under the supervision of Prof. Bicanic and colleagues from Utrecht University, including Prof. Catrin Finkenauer. She is the programme director of Dynamics of Youth, one of Utrecht University's four strategic themes. Finkenauer: "Diaries offer unique and unfiltered access to the inner world of young people, revealing their resilience and vulnerabilities even under traumatic circumstances. By using this method, we can hear the voices of young people directly, which provides invaluable insights into how they process traumatic experiences without the intervention or interpretation of adults."

Onderzoeksopzet

Through social media, adults who experienced abuse as children and kept a diary during that period are invited to lend (parts of) their diaries to science. The research consists of a text analysis of diaries and life course interviews with the owners of the diaries. The results will be incorporated into the Academy of the Centre for Sexual Violence, which trains care workers to support victims in their healing process. And Victim Support Fund is very pleased about that. "If you want to help, you first have to learn to listen. By understanding the language of children, we can improve the detection of sexual abuse and offer faster and more appropriate help," says Pauline Aarten, programme manager for sexual violence at the Fund.

The research is made possible by a grant from the Victim Support Fund and the Achmea Victim and Society Foundation.