Countering the Myths of Sexual Child abuse

Much like the "denial argument", apologists claim that the length of time between the airing of Martin Bashir documentary and the alleged vicim coming forward is proof positive that the child is lying. Surely, they say, the child the child would not have waited several months before admitting to anyone that he had been molested.

The argument, while seemingly plausible, is not founded in any knowledge of or research into the dynamics of a molestation case. Had any of the apologists taken a little time to actually research the topic, as opposed to mindlessly regurgitating the misinformation spread by MJEOL, MJJF and other such "unbiased" sources, then perhaps they wouldn't be so eager to indulge in large-scale public demonstrations of their ignorance.

Once again to emphasize: The following quotes do not prove Jackson molested this or any other child. They are not intended to suggest that Jackson is guilty. They simply show that a delay in reporting is not proof that the child is lying.

Charge to the Jury from the NJ court system:

"FRESH COMPLAINT: SILENCE OR FAILURE TO COMPLAIN

The law recognizes that stereotypes about sexual assault complainants may lead some of you to question [complaining witness’s] credibility based solely on the fact that [he or she] did not complain about the alleged abuse sooner. You may not automatically conclude that [complaining witness’s] testimony is untruthful based only on [his or her] silence/delayed disclosure. Rather, you may consider the silence/delayed disclosure along with all of the other evidence including [complaining witness’s] explanation for his/her silence/delayed disclosure when you decide how much weight to afford to [complaining witness’s] testimony."

"Psychological researchers have demonstrated that it is not uncommon for child sexual abuse victims to behave in an 'unusual' fashion, either by not revealing the abuse for long periods of time, if ever, or by later retracting the accusation as psychological pressures mount. The defense may capitalize upon such behavior at the trial by arguing that a sexually abused child would have reported this abuse immediately or that the recantation of the accusation is proof that the child was lying to begin with. When such attacks are made, prosecutors often call expert witnesses to explain that such behavior in a child sexual abuse victim is not unusual and does not disprove the occurrence of the abuse.

Courts have unanimously upheld the admissibility of such testimony, reasoning that such evidence will assist the jury because these children's reactions to sexual abuse are not within the common experience of the jury. In response to claims that the testimony constitutes an improper comment on witness credibility, courts have noted that the expert did not directly express an opinion regarding the complainant's credibility. Additionally, courts have reasoned that while much expert testimony goes to show that a witness either is or is not telling the truth, that by itself does not render the evidence inadmissible, since many types of evidence do the same thing."
From SYNDROMES, PROFILES AND OTHER MENTAL EXOTICA: A NEW APPROACH TO THE ADMISSIBILITY OF NONTRADITIONAL PSYCHOLOGICAL EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL CASES
David McCord, Oregon Law Review

Is the child victim of sexual abuse telling the truth?
Kathleen Coulborn Faller, M.S.W, PH.D
South Eastern Center Against Sexual Assault

Frequently the perpetrator will threaten the victim with some of these consequences and urge her not to tell. Children in such a situation feel helpless in the face of a powerful adult. Because of the anticipated consequences, victims may keep the secret for months and sometimes years.

Delay in the report of sexual abuse, therefore, is to be expected and ought not to be seen as a reason to questioning veracity of the allegation. It is especially likely when there is a close personal relationship between the victim and the perpetrator. Nor is it uncommon for a child to reveal that she has been sexually abused, and then retract her story as she experiences the negative consequences of telling for herself and her family.

From the Office of the Attorney General of the State of California:

If a child does not tell anyone about the abuse, it is because he or she must have consented to it.
False. Children often do not tell for a variety of reasons including the offender's threats to hurt or kill someone the victim loves, as well as shame, embarrassment, wanting to protect the offender, feelings for the offender, fear of being held responsible or being punished, fear of being disbelieved, and fear of losing the offender who may be very important to the child or the child's family.

It is common for both child and adult victims of sexual assault to wait some time before telling someone about the abuse.
True. It is common for victims of sexual assault to wait some time before telling someone. When the person was assaulted as a child, he or she may wait years or decades. The reasons for this are numerous: victims may want to deny the fact that someone they trusted could do this to them; they may want to just put it behind them; they may believe the myth that they caused the assault by their behavior; or they may fear how other people will react to the truth.

From The Empirical Basis of the Forensic Evaluation Protocol
Connie N. Carnes, M.S., L.P.C. Reluctance
Reluctance is commonplace and difficult to overcome in suspected child sexual abuse cases. In a laboratory study (Saywitz, Goodman, Nicholas, & Moan, 1991) children exhibited reluctance to acknowledge even socially sanctioned genital touching by a doctor. Although children's reluctance and embarrassment in discussing sexual material pose a challenge to interviewers, these factors also create a deterrent against false allegations. Lyon (1995) points out that those pressures that discourage true abuse reports, also operate to discourage false reports. In fact, research has shown children are far more likely to deny or fail to report abuse that has occurred (Lawson & Chaffin, 1992, Faller, 1988).

Child Sexual Abuse Reporting
National Center for Victims of Crime
Children may resist reporting sexual abuse because they are afraid of angering the offender, blame themselves for the abuse or feel guilty and ashamed.
Children are more likely to reveal sexual abuse when talking to someone who appears to 'already know' and is not judgmental, critical or threatening. They also tend to disclose when they believe continuation of the abuse will be unbearable; they are physically injured; or they receive sexual abuse prevention information. Other reasons may be to protect another child or if pregnancy is a threat ("Child Sexual Abuse . . .", 1993).

Why Children Don't Disclose
From Sexual Assault Response Center website:

It is often difficult for parents to understand why their child did not disclose the abuse at an earlier time. It is critical that children are not blamed for their inability to tell. Children are confused, sad and scared. Offenders often tell children that what they are doing to them is normal and that is how you show someone you love them. It may take awhile for children to realize that what the offender is doing is wrong. Offenders also threaten children. They may tell the child that they will hurt their parents, other siblings or pets. They may also make the child feel guilty by blaming the child or telling the child that the offender will be put in jail if he/she tells. The child may like some of the attention that the offender is giving the child, thus making the child feel partially responsible. Offenders are skilled at isolating childen and making them feel alone. They may tell the child that no one will believe them or be able to help them. Offenders are master manipulators. Remember that just as it is not a child's fault that they were molested, it is also not the child's fault that he/she did not disclose. All responsibility must be put solely on the offender.

Children often fail to report because of the fear that disclosure will bring consequences even worse than being victimized again. The victim may fear consequences from the family, feel guilty for consequences to the perpetrator, and may fear subsequent retaliatory actions from the perpetrator.
Sources: Berlinger & Barbieri, 1984; Groth, 1979; Swanson & Biaggio, 1985
From thePrevent Abuse Now!website.

From the Bishop’s Council of the Diocese of Chichester

Why don’t children tell?
Children are put under immense pressure by their abuser to keep areas of their relationship secret and not to tell anyone. Some of the main ways that this is done include:

* Offering children gifts or other treats.
* The abuser may threaten the child, their family, friends or pets.
* The abuser may entrap the child into thinking they have a special relationship or secret.
* The child may be told that no one will believe an allegation.
* The abuser may place the responsibility for the abuse on to the child so that there is a feeling of guilt.
* The child may feel that if a disclosure is made the family will be split up.
* The abuser may isolate the child and discourage the child from making relationships with others who could be told.
* The child may be emotionally dependent upon the abuser and may fear losing them.

From the Office of the Attorney General of the State of Texas
It is extremely difficult for a child to report sexual abuse. A very young child may not understand that what has happened is not normal or accepted. More importantly, the abuser almost always discourages the child from telling anyone about the abuse. The strategies for silencing a sexual abuse victim are as ruthless as they are varied. The abuser may be someone whom the child depends upon and trusts; s/he may use the child's dependency and affection to extort a promise of secrecy. A more brutal perpetrator may threaten to harm and even kill the child or other family members or pets. Or the abuser may tell the child that the family will be broken up, the child blamed, or the child taken away from home if the secret becomes known. These are not altogether unrealistic fears for the child, unfortunately.

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