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Purpose <p>This paper examines the complex process of disclosure of childhood abuse. Although some children and young people share their experiences informally in close relationships, only a small proportion make formal disclosure to authorities. To gain a deeper understanding of how disclosure unfolds, the paper employs a temporal perspective to investigate the different moments that hold the potential to support the process of disclosure.</p> Methods <p>Qualitative interviews based on a timeline approach was conducted with 20 children and young people aged 12–25 years from Denmark, who had experienced abuse perpetrated by a parent or another adult connected to the family. The interviews investigated to whom, when, how, and why children and young people disclose to explore the influence of different relational contexts.</p> Results <p>Disclosure takes place over time through interaction with other people and surrounding circumstances. The process unfolds through three stages – recognition, uncovering, and handling – that describe the broader trajectory of disclosure. These stages are constituted by different and changing moments that support, create, delay, or close opportunities for disclosure, ranging from critical moments of change to missed opportunities.</p> Conclusion <p>Disclosure occurs on a continuum, which is fluid, temporal, and relational. It unfolds across different spaces of possibility that may change over time. This highlights the fragility inherent in the process, as a child’s or young person’s own understandings, thoughts, and expectations – together with surrounding relationships and circumstances – can both enable and constrain the spaces of possibility.</p>

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Moments of Disclosure: A Temporal Approach to Children’s and Young People’s Disclosure of Abuse

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月4日

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  • Sofie Henze-Pedersen,
  • Michella Ida Mikuta

摘要

Purpose

This paper examines the complex process of disclosure of childhood abuse. Although some children and young people share their experiences informally in close relationships, only a small proportion make formal disclosure to authorities. To gain a deeper understanding of how disclosure unfolds, the paper employs a temporal perspective to investigate the different moments that hold the potential to support the process of disclosure.

Methods

Qualitative interviews based on a timeline approach was conducted with 20 children and young people aged 12–25 years from Denmark, who had experienced abuse perpetrated by a parent or another adult connected to the family. The interviews investigated to whom, when, how, and why children and young people disclose to explore the influence of different relational contexts.

Results

Disclosure takes place over time through interaction with other people and surrounding circumstances. The process unfolds through three stages – recognition, uncovering, and handling – that describe the broader trajectory of disclosure. These stages are constituted by different and changing moments that support, create, delay, or close opportunities for disclosure, ranging from critical moments of change to missed opportunities.

Conclusion

Disclosure occurs on a continuum, which is fluid, temporal, and relational. It unfolds across different spaces of possibility that may change over time. This highlights the fragility inherent in the process, as a child’s or young person’s own understandings, thoughts, and expectations – together with surrounding relationships and circumstances – can both enable and constrain the spaces of possibility.