Epstein Secrets

of CSA disclosure is gen- der. Previous research suggests that compared with females, males are less likely to disclose (e.g., DeVoe & Faller, 1999; Finkelhor, Hotel- lag. Lewis. & Smith. 1990; Widom & Morris. 1997). Williams and Banyard (1997) uncovered significant gender differences when they compared d

eriences of sexual abuse can become inaccessible to con- sciousness. Although core features of stressful events are often panicu- lwly well retained (Christianson. 1992), debate centers on whether, for highly traumatic events, special memory mechanisms supercede normal memory processes. Some researchers argue

actors like event salience and personal rele- vance may facilitate memory retention (e.g., Baker-Ward. Hess. & Flanagan, 1990: Bower & Sivers. 1998; Christianson, 1992). severe abuse, which typically includes invasive sexual contact, force, or both. would be more likely to be remembered than less severe abus

he event and memory interview should engender better memory. Further- more, compared with females, males may be less likely to dis- close CSA (e.g., Finkelhor, Hotaling, Lewis, & Smith, 1990; Widom & Morris, 1997; but see Goodman et al., 2003) and may have less detailed autobiographical memories about emo

aps because of their salience or distinctiveness. They may activate physiological (e.g., amygrIala; LeDoux, 2000) and behavioral (e.g., rehearsal; Christianson, 1992) responses that help con- solidate or maintain memories, possibly including memories for whole categories of experiences. Moreover, for highly

ncerns disentangling the effects of victimization. The common occurrence of polyvictimization (i.e., experiencing many forms of child maltreatment; Finkelhor, Shat- tuck. 'Punier, Onnmd, & Hamby, 2011) and the risk that victims of maltreatment will be revictimized (e.g., West, Williams, & Siegel. anno) m

d the most important compo- nents of the stressful event, leading to enhanced memory for those components but weaker memory for peripheral details (Christianson, 1992). Forgetting and ermrs still occur. but they typically do so to a lesser extent than for memory of less nega- tive events, even in children (C