Working with Nonoffending Caregivers of Children That Have Been Sexually Abused

Shock, disbelief, protectiveness, ambivalence, anger, and sorrow are just a sampling of the emotions experienced by parents whose children disclose abuse. Since in the vast majority of cases the abuser is someone close to the family – often a parent, stepparent, or extended family member – the nonoffending parent experiences one of the most profound betrayals possible.

It is crucial to explore the impact of a child’s sexual abuse on his or her parents so that we can better understand the issues affecting parental responses and experiences. There is no single “right way” for a nonoffending parent to react to the news that his or her child has been sexually abused.  While there may be commonalities across parent responses, we must listen, ask questions, and learn from each parent with whom we work. Research consistently finds that to best help the child, we need to support the parent. In most instances, it is the parent that is going to be with that child for the long term and can help him or her in the recovery process.

That is why we wanted to highlight this very important group of people in this Research & Advocacy Digest. As advocates, we need to attempt to understand what parents of a child who has been sexually abused might experience so that we can better help the child, and so that we can provide appropriate support to the rest of the family, who are secondary victims of the abuse.

  Download the publication

Additional Online Resources

• Feelings of Adult Children Toward Nonoffending Parent After Child Abuse
• Parent Support for Child Sexual Abuse
• For Non-offending Parents
• The Investigative Windows of Opportunity: The Vital Link to Corroboration in Child Sexual Abuse Cases
• Child Sexual Abuse: Non-offending Parents
• Darkness to Light
• The National Children's Advocacy Center
• Center for Sex Offender Management
  • Understanding Sexual Assault from a Victim's Perspective
  • Working with Sexual Assault Victim Advocates
• Best Practices for Coping With Vicarious Trauma
• Investigative Procedures in Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse
• If Your Child Has Been Sexually Abused from the Harborview Medical Center
• Letter to Parents and Caretakers from the Children's Response Center