A1 Journal article (refereed)
Non-abusing mothers’ formal support needs after child sexual abuse disclosure : the case of North Cyprus (2021)
İstismarda suçu bulunmayan annelerin çocuğunun cinsel istismarı ortaya çıktıktan sonra resmi destek ihtiyaçları: Kuzey Kıbrıs örneği

Serin, H. (2021). Non-abusing mothers’ formal support needs after child sexual abuse disclosure : the case of North Cyprus. European Journal of Social Work, Early online. https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2021.1977252

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Serin, Hanife

Journal or series: European Journal of Social Work

ISSN: 1369-1457

eISSN: 1468-2664

Publication year: 2021

Publication date: 20/09/2021

Volume: Early online

Publisher: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13691457.2021.1977252

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/77886

Abstract

This article investigates the formal support needs of mothers whose child has been sexually abused. Previous research has focused mostly on the provision of support for abused children to the relative neglect of mothers’ support needs. Here, formal support refers to resources and services from organisations, professionals and authorities, with a specific focus on social welfare services. This article is based on a thematic analysis of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 15 non-abusing mothers in North Cyprus. Analysis of the mothers’ experiences revealed needs of support in four important domains: financial support; child day-care services and social facilities for children and adults; therapeutic services; and improved public knowledge about and trust in social services. Mothers often lacked knowledge about social services and their most common encounter with the social welfare system concerned financial assistance. The results showed that the social welfare system in North Cyprus is highly bureaucratic, children's long-term needs are usually unmet, and mothers’ needs are often ignored by professionals. In sum, developing the quality of social welfare services is vital for sexually abused children and their non-abusing family members, especially mothers.

Keywords: sexual abuse; children (family members); children (age groups); social welfare; social services; social support; forms of support; supporting; mothers; child protection

Free keywords: social services; child sexual abuse; needs; mothers; qualitative research

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: No, publication in press

Preliminary JUFO rating: 2