How you respond to a disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) can make a difference in the outcomes for Victims and Survivors, regardless if they are adults or children. We all have a legal and moral responsibility to respectfully and courageously act to disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse. That may be mean responding appropriately initially and reporting harm. Or importantly, believing them.
When we actively disbelieve disclosures of CSA, we need to begin viewing that as a second assault, a second betrayal of a child. We know from the lived and living experience of Victims and Survivors that not being believed is often one of the barriers to disclosing Child Sexual Abuse, and it causes immeasurable trauma the adverse effects carry well into adulthood.
It can be understandably difficult to hear that someone known to us could be causing harm to a child. That can elicit feelings of shock and grief. It is not our responsibility to determine guilt or innocence in any disclosure. It IS our responsibility to Always believe the Child. The priority should always be child protection.
Research shows children rarely lie about disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse.
Disclosures of Child Sexual Abuse is a term used that describes the process where a child, young person, or adult attempts to convey either verbally or non-verbally that they have been sexually abused, this can include past abuse known as Historical Child Sexual Abuse.
We all have the responsibility to familiarise ourselves with how a disclosure may occur and how to respond appropriately and respectfully to any disclosure. Disclosing abuse is a traumatic and terrifying experience and can often take many years or decades to disclose. Some victims and survivors never disclose.
The Australian Maltreatment Study 2023 indicates the average time for Victims and Survivors to disclose abuse is 28.5 years.
Children rarely disclose while the abuse is occurring. Disclosures are often delayed or not disclosed. The reasons for this are wide and can depend on the individual circumstances. Victims and Survivors' lived experience tells us some of the most common barriers include shame, fear, threats, stereotypes of abuse, and stereotypes of the structures involved. And the fear of not being believed.
Some of the varied reasons Victims and Survivors delay disclosure or never disclose include:
Not understanding what happened to them is Sexual Abuse.
Understanding what happened, but feeling coerced or threatened to stay silent.
Fear of not being believed.
Shame and blame, or concern about being judged due to stereotypes and misinformation.
Concern about relationships and the impact on their family.
Having previously disclosed and had a negative experience.
Active threats like - "No one will believe you" "You will be removed", "I’ll go to jail" and "You will be blamed" Or threats of harm to the victim or loved ones.
Grooming.
Victims can be trapped in family dynamics.
Societal attitudes of not wanting to believe, hear, or see Child Sexual Abuse.
Finding other reasons for behavioural changes.
Victim blaming.
Soft language and minimisation to make it seem not as serious at it is.
The lack of understanding of the processes of making a disclosure can also be a challenge. Adults have an impression that if someone were to make disclosures of abuse, they would be made with intent and a defined purpose, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. This, however, is rarely the case.
There are several ways Child Sexual Abuse can be disclosed. It is our responsibility to educate ourselves on those. Disclosures can be varied and include several different ways at once. The age of the Victim and Survivor can also be an influencing factor.
Only a small number of children and young people will verbalise that they have been Sexually Abused directly, it is more common that disclosures occur indirectly. Children and young people are still learning to communicate and express their feelings, and they may not have an understanding of what has happened to them. Or, they may understand and feel unsafe to disclose.
We can help safeguard children and young people by understanding how they may behave, speak, and change if they experience abuse. Being aware of these changes can help protect them as early as possible.
When Victims and Survivors disclose abuse some ways that can occur include:
Test disclosures - raise the topic of CSA to see how you may respond before providing information
Direct disclosures - usually verbally or non-verbally telling a trustworthy person.
Partial disclosures - they may tell part of their experience/s
Inadvertent disclosure - examples may be, "Doesn’t your dad do that"? Or, asking questions about what happened to them
Spontaneous disclosure - when discussing something else
Pressure relief disclosures - ‘ I need to tell someone”, and have it tumble out.
Angry disclosure - in moments of anger
Behavioural, physical, developmental, and emotional changes.
It is essential to understand that any disclosure can be retracted. This can be due to the impact and weight of what has been said. However, it can also be influenced by fear, shame, secrecy, and silence.
It does not mean it didn’t happen.
Any disclosure of Child Sexual Abuse should always be believed and responded to. It is important to emphasise that it is not the Victim's or Survivor's fault and that they have shown courage and strength, and have done the right thing by telling someone.
It is most important to remain calm, not to disbelieve or ignore a disclosure, ask a victim why they didn’t disclose sooner, or minimise and question the abuse.
Thank you for telling me
I am sorry this happened to you
It’s not your fault
I believe you
I will help you
It takes enormous courage and strength to disclose Child Sexual Abuse.
Trustworthy people need to be courageous in their belief and show support to Victims and Survivors by acting on disclosures. Staying silent facilitates and enables Child Sexual Abuse
Always Believe The Child
Be courageous
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