“I Had To Be Brave”: Unveiling the Remarkable Resilience of Children Who Experienced Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is a global problem with profound consequences for the well-being of children. It often results in mental health disorders such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. It can lead to social withdrawal, substance use and abuse, aggression and suicide. Despite the adversities faced by children who have experienced sexual abuse, some are resilient and do not succumb to the subsequent consequences. Therefore, this South African study aimed to explore the protective factors that enable the resilience of children who have been sexually abused. In line with the qualitative research, a phenomenological research design was used. Six female children in two children's homes were purposefully chosen for this study. Ungar's theory of resilience was the theoretical framework that underpinned this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using Braun and Clarke's (Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2):77-101) six-step thematic approach. The findings, based on participants' verbatim responses, identified individual, relational, and contextual factors as essential social-ecological resources that support resilience in children who have experienced sexual abuse. Individual factors included qualities such as a capacity to help others, personal interests, bravery, and a forward-looking vision. Relational factors involved supportive social connections and caregiver support, while contextual factors included role models, religion and spirituality, and support from teachers. These findings highlight the importance of stakeholders in children's social ecology in developing and implementing supportive measures.