Barns tystnad kring barnmisshandel : En kvalitativ studie utifrån fem barns berättelser

Sammanfattning: The aim of this study was to understand the problem of children´s silence in child abuse. This was conducted by reading five autobiographies that deal with children’s silence and disclosure based on the author’s own experience on child abuse from a parental figure.  We wanted to contribute to an increased understanding of children's silence and disclosure in child abuse from a child's perspective. Child abuse is considered an international problem, and at the same time it's an uncomfortable topic for many people to discuss. Child abuse creates negative experiences and consequences for the vulnerable children that can remain for the rest of their lives.   One of the main results showed that all the children in the autobiographies shared the same common patterns for silence, disclosure and the complexity in breaking the silence. Another result showed that the complexity with their silence and disclosure are based on their loyalty towards their parent, who are also their perpetrator. Along with Goffmans theory of Stigma, Lazarus and Folkmans theory of Coping and previous research, we have been able to use these common patterns to gain a deeper understanding about the complexity behind breaking the silence regarding child abuse.