Exploring the factors contributing to delays in parents’ reporting of child sexual abuse and perceived impacts on family dynamics: A mixed-methods study

Delayed parental reporting of child sexual abuse (CSA) may hinder timely access to medical care, legal protection, and psychosocial support. Evidence remains limited on parents' understanding of reporting, perceived factors associated with reporting delays, and the effects of delayed reporting on family dynamics, particularly in Indonesia. This study aimed to describe parents’ knowledge of and attitudes toward CSA reporting and to explore perceived factors associated with delayed reporting and its effects on family dynamics. This mixed-methods study combined a cross-sectional survey of 218 parents of children aged 10–12 years in Lebak Regency, Banten Province, Indonesia, with in-depth interviews involving 12 parents across 7 CSA cases. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Most surveyed parents agreed that reporting CSA is important for prevention (95.0%) and that all cases should be reported (96.3%). However, 29.4% believed that reporting may cause more harm than good, and 15.6% felt that CSA should be concealed to avoid family shame. The qualitative findings suggest that delayed reporting was shaped by unclear reporting pathways, limited legal knowledge, distrust of authorities, weak institutional responsiveness, economic constraints, and reliance on informal family-based resolution. Delayed reporting was also perceived to affect family dynamics through psychological distress, family instability and relocation, and conflict within the extended family. Delayed parental reporting of CSA should be understood as a contextually embedded process shaped by relational, sociocultural, and institutional barriers. • Delayed CSA reporting reflected relational and institutional barriers. • Most parents supported reporting despite fears of harm and family shame. • Reporting delays involved unclear pathways, distrust, costs, and informal resolution. • CSA disrupted family life through distress, relocation, and kin conflict.