The traumatic impact of socio-judicial procedures and risk of second victimization on sexually abused children

Abstract

This study aimed to deepen the perception of the professionals involved in infant protection and care regarding the consequences of disclosure of child sexual abuse (CSA) and the impact of socio-judiciary procedures. In particular, we were interested in identifying indicators and risks associated with secondary child victimization, as well as factors that may protect against it. The results showed that professionals were aware of the risk of secondary victimization; they identified indicators of negative feelings, psychological disease and problematic behaviors in the child. The risks are related to the procedures of the child’s reception and the multiple interventions during which the child is obliged to repeat the story of his/her aggression, the constraints of the forensic examination and the duration of the proceedings with the possibility that the professional(s) working with the child might be replaced. They also identified protection factors, or interventions that are effective to limit this risk. In particular, the child must be supported, surrounded by his/her family or another protective person. It is also important during these socio-judicial procedures to sensitize the child to the procedure and prepare him/her to face all stages. The consequences are not the same for all children: They react according to their personality and the actions they undergo, but also according to maturity and age. Similarly, the effects of socio-judicial procedures on child victims are not identical; rather, each case is unique.