Supporting fathers with histories of child sexual abuse: Practitioner reflections

Background: The impact of child sexual abuse (CSA) across the lifespan, including its effect on subsequent parenting, is increasingly recognised within the evidence base. However, there remains a significant knowledge gap pertaining to male survivors ’ experiences of fatherhood. Existing research has demonstrated that a practitioner’s self-efficacy, CSA knowledge, and reflexive skill can impact the quality of care male survivors receive. However, no studies to date have explored the insights of practitioners experienced in supporting fathers with CSA histories. Aims: The present study sought to qualitatively explore the insights and experiences of practitioners from various UK-based support disciplines who support father survivors. Method: Purposive and convenience strategies were used to recruit practitioners across statutory and non-statutory sectors. Fifteen participants were interviewed virtually following a semi-structured interview guide. Transcriptions were subsequently analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (RTA). Results: Four overarching themes were derived from analyses. These addressed the nuances of integrating themes of survivorship and fatherhood, including conceptualising the developmental stages of parenthood, masculinity socialisation processes, and prevalent societal myths. Wider interpersonal functioning, particularly tensions with the parental dyad, were also identified as key interventional priorities. Broader systemic challenges, including navigating ‘feminized’ and disjointed support structures, were also highlighted. Amidst these complexities, practitioners emphasised the importance of reflective practice, including examining implicit bias at both the individual and organisational levels when supporting father survivors. Conclusions: Results revealed unique considerations for effective support for father-survivors, including opportunities to develop ‘male-centric’ communication and fostering a balanced approach to growth within fatherhood. Implications for clinical practice, cross-sector training, and policy are discussed. Future larger-scale research alongside designs that centralise the voice of father survivors are required to extend these preliminary findings.