Abstract
M.A.
According to the Child Protection Unit (1997) 25% of young South African females
experience some form of childhood sexual abuse before they are 18 years old. Alongside
this frighteningly high statistic is an increasing trend for these victims to report these
transgressions and, particularly during adulthood, speak out about their experiences.
Childhood sexual abuse results in a number of potentially devastating long term effects
that limit the adult survivor's capacity to enjoy life to the fullest extent possible. The
manner in which each adult survivor perceives her experiences of childhood sexual abuse
is unique, as is the way in which she deals with these resulting effects. A variety of
therapeutic interventions are available to these women, one of which is narrative therapy.
This study is aimed at exploring the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse's
understanding of the use of narrative therapy as a method of intervention.
A qualitative methodology is utilised to explore the manner in which adult survivors of
childhood sexual abuse understand narrative therapy, and how it can be used to help them
deal with the long term effects that are a result of their abusive experiences. The focus of
this research is therefore on the adult survivor who has been and still is, a recipient of
narrative therapy. The theoretical basis for the intervention with the adult survivor of
childhood sexual abuse is established in the discussion of childhood sexual abuse and the
adult survivor, as well as narrative therapy and the historical constructs, like
postmodernism, constructivism, and social constructionism, that are instrumental in the
development of this interventive technique.
For the aim of this study a representative sample of two respondents is used. That is two
adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse who are actively involved in the narrative
therapy process. This sample lends itself to in-depth interviewing where the respondents
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are able to explore their own perceptions of narrative therapy and how this method of
intervention has impacted on their own experience of reality. the data is gathered by means
of field notes, audio-tapes which are transcribed, and a thorough literature review.
Analysis of the data collected is done manually and according to a schedule. The schedule
is developed according to coding categories that are identified when working through the
raw data. Coding is done by the researcher and a co-decoder in order to compare the
results. In the coding process the researcher and co-decoder utilise the schedule to code
the transcribed audio-tapes and field notes.
The information gleaned from the data gathering and analysis is used to identify central
themes. These themes are offered as results. The results obtained are compared to relevant
literature in order to further the validity of the research.
From the study, methodological and theoretical conclusions can be drawn. The
methodological conclusions have to do with the method of research utilised in this study.
Regarding the contextual aims of the empirical study, certain theoretical conclusions are
drawn. The results and conclusions indicate the adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse's
perception of the use of narrative therapy as a treatment methodology. Recommendations
are offered on the basis of the study and the conclusions drawn. The methodology and
context of the empirical study ensure the connection of the results and conclusions to the
aims and objectives of this study.
The research indicates that adult survivors perceive the use of narrative therapy as being
extremely valuable and effective in the treatment of childhood sexual abuse.