Considering Family Reconnection and Reunification after Child Sexual Abuse

who was sexually abused are whether
they (Price, 2004):
• are capable of engaging in direct and
healthy communication;
• have freely expressed interest in
communicating with the family and/
or the person who has perpetrated
the sexual abuse;
• and have access to a support system(s)
within or outside of the extended family.
There is full agreement in the research
that the child who was sexually abused
should not be put in the position of
deciding whether or not to go forward
with any form of clarification because of
the pressures that may exist within the
extended family.
Assessment of the Family: Attempts at
family clarification or reunification are
frequently successful or unsuccessful
depending upon the parent and/or guardian’s
ability to maintain the safety plan created
for the family. Therefore, the assessment of
the family is essential to the decision about
whether to attempt a clarification session.
As part of the assessment, the therapist
should consider the following of key
family members:
• Are they capable of direct and healthy
communications?
• Have they been able to talk about
the abuse and the related trauma
they experienced?
• Do they understand the crucial role
they must play in maintaining future
safety for everyone?
(National Family Preservation Network,
2009; Price, 2004).
Assessment of the Adult, Adolescent, or
Child Who Abused: An essential part of the
treatment process is taking on responsibility
for the harm caused to the child and the
extended family (possibly more than one
family if the abuse crosses multiple families).
Writing an apology letter is a part of this
Court-Ordered
Reunification
It’s important to keep in mind that
in the majority of situations where
a child has been sexually abused,
it’s likely that there will be no
criminal adjudication of a sexual
offense. Even with child welfare
involvement, without adjudication,
family courts may be inclined or
feel bound to order reunification. If
a parent is arguing for reunification
with their own child or the return
of a child suspected of abusive
behavior, the court may order
reunification without the benefit
of all or any of the steps outlined
in this section. In that instance,
a stance made by professionals
involved that is supportive of the
safety of all involved rather than
an adversarial position may allow
for the implementation of at least
some of the steps.
40 www.nsvrc.org