Family Dysfunction and the Psychological Impact of Child Sexual Abuse

This paper presents the view that family dysfunction in intra- and extra-familial child sexual abuse can be considered apart from the sexual trauma and can be seen as having important independent psychological consequences. Family dynamics are discussed as they relate to both types of sexual abuse and as they relate to the context of disclosure of the events. A direct link is suggested between such dynamics and the psychological problems experienced by the child victims. Recommendations for research and therapy are also made.