Date of Award

Spring 5-12-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department/Program

Criminal Justice

Language

English

First Advisor or Mentor

Karen Terry

Second Reader

Valery West

Third Advisor

Jeff Mellow

Abstract

This study explores religious, societal, and intrafamilial factors that prevent Ultra-Orthodox Jewish male survivors of child sexual abuse from reporting the incidents. Five men were recruited and participated in in-depth interviews. The findings indicate that child sexual abuse in Ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities was and is underreported. The factors that were identified as influential on the reporting decisions included religious rules and regulations, lack or deficient sexual and legal education, and communal and intrafamilial efforts to silence a child and cover up the abuse. The results link the religious and educational background of male survivors of sexual abuse and their reporting patterns.

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