Legal Definitions - CSAAS

CSAAS stands for Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome.

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS) is a framework used to understand the common behavioral and psychological reactions of children who have experienced sexual abuse. It helps explain why child victims may not immediately disclose abuse, may appear to recant their statements, or exhibit other behaviors that might seem inconsistent with having been abused. This syndrome highlights how children often adapt to abusive situations as a survival mechanism, leading to patterns of secrecy, helplessness, and delayed or inconsistent reporting.

• Example 1: Delayed Disclosure Due to Threats

  A 15-year-old girl, Sarah, confides in her school counselor that her stepfather began sexually abusing her when she was 8 years old. She explains that she never told anyone before because her stepfather threatened to harm her mother if she spoke up, and she felt immense shame and fear that no one would believe her. Sarah's disclosure comes seven years after the abuse began.

  This illustrates CSAAS through delayed disclosure and secrecy. Sarah's fear of retaliation against her mother and her personal feelings of shame prevented her from reporting the abuse for many years, which is a common reaction described by the syndrome.

• Example 2: Recantation and Re-disclosure

  During an initial interview with a child protective services worker, a 6-year-old boy, Leo, describes inappropriate touching by an adult neighbor. However, when his parents are present during a follow-up interview, Leo becomes withdrawn and denies anything happened, stating he "made it up." Later, in a private session with a child psychologist, he again confirms the abuse, explaining he was scared his parents would be angry with him for talking about it.

  Leo's initial disclosure followed by a recantation, and then a subsequent re-disclosure, is a classic manifestation of CSAAS. Children may recant due to fear of the abuser, fear of disrupting their family, or feeling pressured, only to re-disclose when they feel safe and supported.

• Example 3: Accommodation and Seeming Normalcy

  A 10-year-old boy, David, lives in a household where he is being sexually abused by an older cousin. Despite the abuse, David continues to interact with his cousin seemingly normally, participating in family activities and even defending his cousin when other family members express concern about the cousin's behavior. He doesn't disclose the abuse for over a year, appearing to cope well on the surface.

  David's behavior demonstrates the accommodation and secrecy aspects of CSAAS. Children in abusive situations may learn to adapt to the abuse, appearing to function normally or even protecting the abuser, as a coping mechanism to survive the situation, avoid further harm, or maintain a sense of normalcy within their environment.