DOJ-OGR-00006872.pdf

--- Page 1 --- **Extracted Text:** **Header:** * Case 1:20-cr-00330-PAE * Document 452-2 * Filed 11/12/21 * Page 37 of 45 **Journal Logo:** * European Journal of Psychotraumatology **Article Title:** * Predictors of delayed disclosure of rape in female adolescents and young adults **Authors:** * Iva A. E. Bicanic * Lieve M. Hehenkamp * Elise M. van de Putte * Arjen J. van Wijk * Ad de Jongh **Background Section:** * Delayed disclosure of rape has been associated with impaired mental health; it is, therefore, important to understand which factors are associated with disclosure latency. The purpose of this study was to compare various demographics, post rape characteristics, and psychological functioning of early and delayed disclosers (i.e., more than 1 week post rape) among rape victims, and to determine predictors for delayed disclosure. * Methods: Data were collected using a structured interview and validated questionnaires in a sample of 323 help seeking female adolescents and young adults (12 25 years), who were victimized by rape, but had no reported prior chronic child sexual abuse. * Results: In 397/409 the cases, disclosure occurred within 1 week. Delayed disclosers were less likely to use medical services and to report to the police than early disclosers. No significant differences were found between delayed and early disclosers in psychological functioning and time to seek professional help. The combination of age category 12 17 years (OR 2.05, confidence intervals (CI) 1.13 3.75], penetration (OR 2.30; CI 1.25 4.46), and closeness to assailant (OR 2.64, CI 1.52 4.60) contributed significantly to the prediction of delayed disclosure. * Conclusion: The results point to the need of targeted interventions that specifically encourage rape victims to disclose early, thereby increasing options for access to health and police services. **Keywords:** * Adolescents; young adults; rape; sexual assault; disclosure; latency to disclosure; posttraumatic stress disorder **Responsible Editor:** * Rita Rosner, KU Eichstaett Ingolstadt, Germany **Correspondence:** * Iva A. E. Bicanic, National Psychotrauma Center for Children and Youth, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, NL 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands **Email:** * i.a.e.bicanic@umcutrecht.nl **For the abstract or full text in other languages, please see Supplementary files under 'Article Tools'** **Received:** * 31 August 2014; Revised: 30 March 2015; Accepted: 13 April 2015; Published: 11 May 2015 **Previous Studies:** * have shown that disclosure of rape to formal agencies, such as police or mental health services, is uncommon (Fisher, Cullen, & Turner, 2000; Wolitzky-Taylor et al., 2011), especially when the rape has been committed on a date or by an acquaintance and involves the victim's use of drugs and/or alcohol (Resnick et al., 2000; Woltzky-Taylor et al., 2011). There is evidence to suggest that victims believe that professionals will not be helpful to them because their rape experience does not match stereotypical conceptions of rape, such as involving a stranger, a weapon, and severe injury (Patterson, Greeson, & Campbell, 2009; Resnick et al., 2000). Accordingly, adolescents and young adults, who are more at risk to be victimized by rape than other age groups (De Haas, Van Berlo, Bakker, & Vanwesenbeek, 2012; Tjaden & Thoennes, 2006), may not receive targeted mental health care and may not report the crime to the police (Ruch, Coyne, & Perrone, 2000). * For reasons of mental health and public safety, it is important to understand the potential factors that are related to disclosure. Timing of disclosure may be a crucial factor, as early disclosers are more likely to utilize appropriate medical care and report to the police than delayed disclosers (Ahrens, Stansell, & Jennings, 2010; Ulman & Filipas, 2001). In contrast, adults who wait longer than 1 month to disclose the rape are more likely to suffer from posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression compared to early disclosers (Ruggiero et al., 2004). **DOI:** * 10.3402/ejt.v6i0.25883 **Page Number:** * 1