Moments of Disclosure

Purpose This paper examines the complex process of disclosure of childhood abuse. Although some children and youngpeople share their experiences informally in close relationships, only a small proportion make formal disclosure to authori-ties. To gain a deeper understanding of how disclosure unfolds, the paper employs a temporal perspective to investigate thedifferent moments that hold the potential to support the process of disclosure.Methods Qualitative interviews based on a timeline approach was conducted with 20 children and young people aged12–25 years from Denmark, who had experienced abuse perpetrated by a parent or another adult connected to the family.The interviews investigated to whom, when, how, and why children and young people disclose to explore the influence ofdifferent relational contexts.Results Disclosure takes place over time through interaction with other people and surrounding circumstances. The processunfolds through three stages – recognition, uncovering, and handling – that describe the broader trajectory of disclosure.These stages are constituted by different and changing moments that support, create, delay, or close opportunities for disclo-sure, ranging from critical moments of change to missed opportunities.Conclusion Disclosure occurs on a continuum, which is fluid, temporal, and relational. It unfolds across different spaces ofpossibility that may change over time. This highlights the fragility inherent in the process, as a child’s or young person’s ownunderstandings, thoughts, and expectations – together with surrounding relationships and circumstances – can both enableand constrain the spaces of possibility.