"Jag tror faktiskt att du fantiserar" : - en kvalitativ studie om vuxnas berättelser om de sexuella övergrepp de blivit utsatta för under sin barndom

Sammanfattning: This qualitative study highlights the fact that sexual abuse is considered a social problem. However, few are disclosing their experiences of sexual abuse during childhood, and although children tell, it is difficult to regard them as credible victims. Our aim with this study is to gain an understanding through adults stories about the sexual abuse they were exposed to during their childhood. In order to achieve this purpose, we have analyzed autobiographies written by adults, who during their childhood have become sexually exposed. The study resulted in the problem of considering children as victims, before the abuse's disclosure but also after. The children were seen, in the cases studied, not as credible due to the perpetrator's identity. This study also found that the children did not report their experiences of sexual abuse due to factors such as shame and normalization. The study thus found that sexual abuse against children is complex and so is the view of the children as victims and their silence.