Barriers to and facilitators of self-disclosure by male victims of child sexual abuse: a rapid review

Abstract

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a prevalent, enduring social and health problem with global ramifications. Male victims have difficulty disclosing their abuse due to traditional gender norms and associated fears. Understanding the factors that inhibit and facilitate disclosure of CSA among male victims is crucial for enhancing access to gender-specific services. To our knowledge, there are no existing review studies specifically examining the factors that inhibit and facilitate the disclosure of CSA among male victims. This study employs a rapid review methodology to synthesise literature on barriers and facilitators of self-disclosure among male CSA victims. Extensive searches were conducted investigating CSA and the associated disclosure processes encountered by male victims. These searches were carried out using the search engine “OneSearch”. An integrative review approach was used to thematically analyse the empirical data extracted from a selection of qualitative and quantitative studies. The data were synthesized using the socio-ecological model of disclosure, which provides a comprehensive framework to understand the multifactorial influences on male CSA disclosure. Fifteen studies met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The findings underscore the significance of increasing awareness regarding male victims of CSA and emphasise the need to re-evaluate societal norms and challenging prevailing gender expectations. The study highlights that disclosure is shaped by the dynamic interplay of individual characteristics, interpersonal relationships, and broader societal, cultural, and environmental factors. These interconnected influences contribute to the complexity of male CSA disclosure and emphasize the necessity for targeted interventions and continued research. The study identifies important practical implications for practice and future research.