A Phenomenological Exploration of Reflections on Lived Space by Child Sexual Abusers

Child sexual abusers may be better understood by phenomenological exploration of reflections on childhood lived space. Child sexual abusers often suffer from child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and neglect in their childhood lived space. These experiences may be considered a limitation or deformation of the child\u27s lived space, resulting in a distorted self view that contributes to adult behavior. Child sexual abuse is not a new phenomenon; it is a problem that has existed throughout history but has rarely enjoyed the publicity and concern of recent times. Child sexual abusers\u27 reflections on their lived space during childhood were explored by interviewing eight incarcerated child sexual abusers in a US correctional center. Van Manen\u27s descriptive-interpretive theoretical process was used to guide abusers\u27 existential reflections on their childhood lived space. van Manen\u27s phenomenological method is dynamic and was used to organize and analyze data into essential categorical themes, one of which is failure to root. While the viewpoint is retrospective, participants in this study provided unique perspectives on childhood reflections on lived space. These experiences, as reported by the participants, could be used to assist child victims to cope and to guide nursing practice, education, and future research related to Healthy People 2010\u27s Goal 15 (Healthy People 2010, n.d.)