British South Asian women's experiences of child sexual abuse: an intersectional feminist narrative inquiry

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in British South Asian communities is under-researched despite the disproportionate levels of its under-reporting to statutory agencies. The practice and policy explanation for this under-reporting has been commonly referred to as ‘cultural barriers’, namely ‘shame and honour’, cultural constructs which are known to significantly impact the lives of women from South Asian communities. However, the voices of these women have been minimally documented, leaving gaps in knowledge about how shame and honour are experienced in the context of CSA, and what other factors may constitute their lived experiences. This research interviewed 15 British South Asian women who are victims/survivors of CSA, within the framework of intersectional feminist theory, and a narrative analysis was undertaken to capture their unique experiences.

Findings indicate that the intersections of gender, race, parental migration, and class created specific vulnerabilities to CSA, and as adult survivors, these can be impediments to healing from the abuse. They elucidate previously underrepresented nuances and complexity related to shame and honour in the context of CSA, and evidence the strength of the women as they navigate their trauma and isolation. Finally, findings demonstrate the ramifications of disclosure and the personal cost of self-protection.

This thesis indicates that practice and policy work examining CSA in British South Asian communities must move beyond exploring disclosure and reporting. Instead, what is additionally needed is practice and policy structures which integrate a cultural sensitivity lens, allowing more effective risk assessment and support for British South Asian CSA female victims/survivors, both as child victims and as adult survivors.