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INTRODUCTION
1.7 Cultural aspects
Aim . This section focuses on some specific cultural mechanisms and practices that helpers can use as “ tools for open exploration ”. The topics are not an exhaustive list : you can add others that are important in your cultural context .
1.7.1 Cultural sensitivity as a tool
Context is crucial to child development , and culture is an important part of a child ’ s context . Culture enables people to create relationships with others and influences child rearing . Cultural attitudes , identity and habits are to a great extent “ implicit knowledge ”. We are seldom aware of our own culture until we meet people from different societies , or experience discrimination , or encounter values and ideas that do not match our cultural beliefs . Working in multicultural settings , helpers cannot be expected to make themselves familiar with every culture . But it is essential to be aware that culture may influence the form that child sexual abuse takes , and even how the child experiences abuse , and the attitudes towards an abused child . Helpers who develop a flexible and open approach to culture put themselves in a better position to understand child sexual abuse in diverse settings , but also make themselves more approachable : children are more likely to disclose abuse to someone they think understands them .
Becoming and remaining culturally sensitive requires continuous work to make ourselves conscious , and remain conscious , of our cultural attitudes . The most important starting points are to be humble and curious and recognise that our knowledge is always limited .
1.7.2 Culture ; physiology and the psychology of trauma
“ Physiologically , humans react to danger and shock in much the same way everywhere , regardless of the society they come from . Culture nevertheless influences how people express and interpret their feelings and reactions . This means that people in different societies may show and read responses to danger and shock in various ways .”
Physiologically , humans react to danger and shock in much the same way everywhere , regardless of the society they come from . Culture nevertheless influences how people express and interpret their feelings and reactions . This means that people in different societies may show and read responses to danger and shock in various ways .
Culture also influences attitudes to child sexual abuse . In many societies , sexual violence and abuse are taboo , and cause survivors ( and their close relatives ) to feel guilt and shame . Sexual abuse is condemned in most cultures , but how it is understood and addressed may differ . How a child ’ s family and community respond to child sexual abuse is likely to reflect their attitudes to sexuality , gender , children and childhood . Guilt and shame are culturally conditioned and what they attach to , as well as their expression and gravity , varies from society to society . At the same time , they are feelings that arise within the person ; they have a social character , but are also intensely private and personal . Certain cultural or religious attitudes to sexuality depress the reporting of abuse . Society may shame the victim of abuse , even though they were not responsible for it . Survivors may be unable to seek or find support from within their community .