Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome

Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS) refers to a pattern of responses observed in children who experience sexual abuse. It highlights how victims may struggle to disclose their experiences due to fear, confusion, or loyalty to the abuser. Children often try to minimize the abuse, may recant their statements, or exhibit delayed disclosure. These behaviors can lead to misunderstandings, as they do not fit typical expectations of how a victim should react. Understanding CSAAS helps professionals recognize the complexities of child abuse cases and the psychological impacts on young victims, emphasizing that non-disclosure does not imply falsehood.