title: Predictors of delayed disclosure of rape in female adolescents and young adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Delayed disclosure of rape has been associated with impaired mental health; it is, therefore, important to understand which factors are associated with disclosure latency. The purpose of this study was to compare various demographics, post-rape characteristics, and psychological functioning of early and delayed disclosers (i.e., more than 1-week post-rape) among rape victims, and to determine predictors for delayed disclosure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using a structured interview and validated questionnaires in a sample of 323 help-seeking female adolescents and young adults (12-25 years), who were victimized by rape, but had no reported prior chronic child sexual abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 59% of the cases, disclosure occurred within 1 week. Delayed disclosers were less likely to use medical services and to report to the police than early disclosers. No significant differences were found between delayed and early disclosers in psychological functioning and time to seek professional help. The combination of age category 12-17 years [odds ratio (OR) 2.05, confidence intervals (CI) 1.13-3.73], penetration (OR 2.36, CI 1.25-4.46), and closeness to assailant (OR 2.64, CI 1.52-4.60) contributed significantly to the prediction of delayed disclosure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results point to the need of targeted interventions that specifically encourage rape victims to disclose early, thereby increasing options for access to health and police services.
authors.affiliation: National Psychotraumacenter for Children and Youth, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht The Netherlands; i.a.e.bicanic@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Iva A E
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Bicanic
authors.affiliation: National Psychotraumacenter for Children and Youth, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Lieve M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Hehenkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Elise M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: van de Putte
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences, ACTA, University of Amsterdam and VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Arjen J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: van Wijk
authors.affiliation: Department of Behavioral Sciences, ACTA, University of Amsterdam and VU University, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.|School of Health Sciences, Salford University, Manchester, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Jongh
keywords: Adolescents; disclosure; latency to disclosure; posttraumatic stress disorder; rape; sexual assault; young adults