ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the complexities of disclosure of non-recent child sexual abuse and the challenges faced by both survivors and professionals. While societal awareness of the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse has grown, clinicians often struggle with the fear that discussing abuse may trigger or re-traumatise survivors, potentially causing further harm. Drawing on psychoanalytic and trauma theories, as well as survivors’ lived experiences and clinical practice, this chapter examines how disclosure can be a vital step in the recovery journey. It highlights the barriers to disclosure—both for survivors and professionals—emphasising the importance of a facilitating environment where conversations about child sexual abuse can occur safely. By integrating insights from trauma-informed care and psychoanalytic concepts such as symbolisation, it argues that responsible and sensitive inquiry by clinicians can help survivors integrate their experiences rather than relive them. The author advocates for a shift away from the oscillation between denial and outrage towards a more balanced, sustained engagement with child sexual abuse, recognising that systemic and institutional changes are necessary to support both survivors and professionals in navigating these difficult yet essential conversations.
