This study was developed in the context of a larger research project, which examines the healing process of children and adolescent victims of sexual abuse, as well as their caregivers and psychotherapists. This research shows the results related to legal aspects that favour and hinder the healing process from sexual abuse, considering the opinion of children, adolescents and their caregivers. This study uses a qualitative methodology. In-depth interviews were carried out with 27 children and adolescents who successfully completed the treatment program, 18 of their parents or caregivers were also interviewed. The main results indicate that both groups, children and parents, consider the justice system as the main obstacle in the healing process, except in those cases where the offender is convicted which is positively visualized by the participants as an act of protection. Practical implications for the justice system and psychosocial interventions are discussed.
Keywords:
sexual abuse, repair, judicial process, trial, victims
Lama, X., Gutiérrez, C., Capella, C., Dussert, D., Rodríguez, L., Beiza, G., & Águila, D. (2015). Healing from child and youth sexual assault and the justice system: A view from the participants. Revista De Psicología, 24(1). https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-0581.2015.36914
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