Abstract

The phenomenon of child sexual abuse (CSA) has persisted throughout history, with a high prevalence today. In Chile, in 2022, 38, 213 reports of sexual offences against children were registered, being more frequent in children aged 0-13 years and perpetrated primarily by family members or close relatives. CSA has negative repercussions in the short and long term in physical, psychological, sexual and social aspects and can constitute a traumatic experience. Psychotherapy is a central intervention in these cases. In Chile, the Specialized Protection Programs for Severe Sexual Abuse and Maltreatment of the Mejor Niñez network are the main public offer to address the treatment of CSA. The therapeutic relationship emerges as an essential element in child psychotherapy, especially in cases of CSA, where trust and the affective bond between therapist and child are facilitators of change, this is particularly relevant when considering that traumatic experiences can affect the child's ability to trust others. Constructing a positive therapeutic relationship becomes essential for re-signifying the traumatic experience and rebuilding trust. Aims To characterize the early therapeutic relationship and the elements that facilitate or hinder its formation within a child psychotherapy process in victims of sexual abuse from the perspective of children and their therapists. Method & procedures The study reported in this article is qualitative, descriptive and cross-sectional, focused on understanding the phenomenon of the therapeutic relationship from the referential framework of the participants, in this case, the children and their therapists. The procedure included the collaboration of five programs of Specialized Protection in Maltreatment and Severe Sexual Abuse (PRM) of the Mejor Niñez network in the Metropolitan Region of Chile, with the voluntary participation of six cases composed of six children and six therapists. The inclusion criteria in the case of the children were being between four and nine years old, having experienced sexual abuse and starting a therapeutic process in a PRM. The therapists were to have a degree in psychology, perform child psychotherapy for CSA in a PRM in the Metropolitan Region, and be the therapist of one of the participating children. Data was collected through case files, semi-structured interviews and drawings. The data analysis was based on a thematic narrative analysis for the interviews and a visual narrative analysis for the drawings. Researcher triangulation was employed to ensure the quality and reliability of the analyses. Ethical protocols were followed, obtaining informed consent and assent from participants. Muñoz-Pérez et al. Early therapeutic relationship in child sexual abuse: Perspectives of children and their therapists Results & discussion The study analyzed the meanings surrounding the early therapeutic relationship (TR) between child victims of sexual abuse and their therapists. Three thematic axes w