Young men living through and with child sexual abuse : a practitioner research study

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Abstract

Using an anti-oppressive life-story methodology, this research analyses
the experience and impact of child sexual abuse on the lives of seven
young men aged between 15 and 23. In recognising the sensitivity of the
study, and that the young men's experiences are recent, particular
attention is paid to the impact of the research and the relevance of social
work practitioner research. The study advances an analytical framework,
which draws on the tensions between structuralism and poststructuralism
Theoretical connections are made between the centrality
of sexuality and power in post-structuralism, and the nature of
experiences of child sexual abuse. This framework has a wide
application for future studies, and has particular implications for future
non-pathologising social work practice with sexually abused young men.
Asymmetrical power relationships are shown to be characteristic of child
sexual abuse. The thesis argues that it is important to understand the
diversity, and socially contextualised nature of the young men's
experiences, in surviving the impact and aftermath of child sexual abuse.
The thesis recognises the importance of understanding the resistance of
the young men, and identifies some of the survival strategies they
employed, in the extreme and adverse circumstances in which they
became immersed. An oppressive context of patriarchal relations,
characterised by compulsory heterosexism and homophobia has shaped
and exacerbated the young men's harmful experiences. Internalised
oppression and power relationships generate beliefs and subsequent
responses which affirm and perpetuate oppressive social constructions,
and consequent marginalisation.
Through its anti-oppressive methodology, its analytical framework, and
its use of prior substantive knowledge and experience, the study
presents a strong and fresh link between research, social work practice
and future research. In making this link, the study explicates the role and
skills of the practitioner researcher, and thereby strengthens the
academic discipline of social work.

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