Voices of Resilience: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Female African and Caribbean Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse ( CSA ) in England and Wales
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Background Child sexual abuse (CSA) remains a significant public health and social justice concern, yet the experiences of survivors from racially minoritised communities in the United Kingdom remain underrepresented in research. African and Caribbean women may face additional barriers to disclosure and support due to cultural stigma, honour‐based expectations, racialised stereotypes and systemic inequities within statutory services. Aims This study explored the lived experiences of African and Caribbean female adult survivors of CSA in England and Wales, with particular attention to their interactions with statutory services and the sociocultural factors influencing disclosure, help‐seeking and meaning‐making. The research sought to understand how survivors interpret and navigate cultural, racial and institutional barriers throughout their recovery journeys. Materials and Methods A qualitative research design using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was employed. Four African and Caribbean female adult survivors of CSA participated in semi‐structured interviews lasting approximately 60–75 min. Interviews generated rich, idiographic accounts of trauma, resilience and identity. Asian survivors were also sought during recruitment; however, none came forward, which emerged as a noteworthy finding in itself. Data were analysed following IPA principles to identify shared and divergent aspects of participants' experiences. Results Analysis identified five superordinate themes: (1) Cultural Silence, Honour and Early Meaning‐Making; (2) Intersectionality and the Burden of Stereotypes; (3) Systemic Barriers and Retraumatisation within Statutory Services; (4) Between Silence and Sanctuary: Gaps in Support Services; and (5) “I Rise”: Resilience, Agency and Post‐Traumatic Growth. Participants described prolonged delays, inadequate communication and repeated recounting of abuse within statutory systems, experiences that often mirrored earlier feelings of powerlessness and retraumatisation. Despite these challenges, survivors demonstrated considerable resilience and highlighted the value of culturally attuned therapeutic support and community understanding. Discussion The findings illustrate how cultural narratives, intersectional identities and systemic inequities shape survivors' experiences of disclosure, engagement with services and recovery. The absence of Asian participants may also reflect particular cultural barriers to participation and disclosure that warrant further investigation. The study highlights the ongoing impact of institutional responses on survivor well‐being and underscores the importance of culturally responsive and trauma‐informed approaches across support services. Conclusion This study contributes to the limited literature on CSA among racially minoritised communities in the United Kingdom. Findings emphasise the need for trauma‐informed, culturally responsive practice within counselling, social care and justice settings. By centring survivors' voices, the research recognises their resilience while offering important insights for improving professional practice, reducing systemic barriers and promoting meaningful change for future survivors.
DOI: 10.1002/capr.70230
Authors: Shilla Patel, John Collins
Institution: University of East London
Language: English
Topic: Child Abuse and Trauma
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W7223317558