**Part 3**

**Culturally Diverse Attitudes in Coping with Assault** 

166 Sexual Abuse – Breaking the Silence

Pierantoni, L.(2007). *(Des) paths guard of children in violent situations: subsidies for nursing* 

Silva, M; Ferriani, M.(2007) Domestic violence: from the visible to the invisible*. Rev. Latino-Am. Enfermagem* vol.15, no.2 (March./April 2007) pp.275-281. ISSN 0104-1169 Woiski, R; Rocha, D. (2010). Nursing care for sexually abused children in hospital

emergency units. *Esc. Anna Nery*, vol.14, no.1, (January/March 2010) pp. 143-

*action in the health team.* Dissertation. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

150..ISSN 1414-8145

**11** 

Nareadi Phasha

*South Africa* 

*University of South Africa* 

**Coping with an Experience of** 

**Child Sexual Abuse: Perspectives of** 

**Young Female Survivors in South Africa** 

An experience of sexual abuse in childhood is known to be associated with negative emotional, psychological, health/physical, and educational repercussions. Internationally, research suggests that the repercussions may be immediate and/or long term (Finkelhor, 1979; 1984; 1988, 1984; Sgroi, 1982). Similar findings were evident in South African studies (Russell, 1995; Collings, 1995, Madu & Peltzer, 2001, Human Rights Watch, 2001). Studies have gone further to reveal that some survivors turn out to be resilient (Barbarin, Ritcher & de Wet, 2003; van Rensburg & Barnard, 2005). The suggestion thereof is that survivors cope with the problem in different ways which may or may not be detrimental to their

This chapter will focus on strategies which some of the young survivors of child sexual abuse utilised to cope with their experiences and emotions associated with it. Coping strategies warrant a deeper understanding for the sake of helping survivors heal the wounds created by an experience of child sexual abuse, to prevent chances of revictimization, and to facilitate wellness. For the purpose of this chapter, coping refers to a conscious process for managing a problem and regulating the attendant emotion (Gipple,

Different coping strategies which could be classified under two broad categories were noted in the literature consulted, namely: emotion-focused and problem-focused. According to Gipple *et al.* (2006), emotion-focused coping strategies include purposeful attempts to retreat from unpleasant stimuli, or individuals' attempt to regulate their emotions in dealing with the stressor; while problem-focused strategies entail manipulation, reflection and

Studies suggest frequent tendencies to use emotion-focused. This was so in the study that involved female incest survivors as participants (Brands & Alexander, 2003). In particular, avoidance was the most preferred coping strategy, which participants indicated to have

**1. Introduction** 

development.

Lee & Puig, 2006).

**2. Coping strategies** 

application of instrumental responses of the stressor.
