In February 2025 the Australian Institute of Family Studies released their Practice Guide on best practice in responding to children’s disclosures of abuse. Access the report here.

According to the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS), 62.2% of the general population have experienced at least one type of child maltreatment (Haslam et al., 2023). This study also found that girls are significantly more likely than boys to experience sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and multiple types of maltreatment. Research from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse also evidences that most people who have experienced childhood abuse do not disclose until many years after the event, with some people never disclosing at all. This study found that disclosure is influenced by multiple factors including age, developmental stage, disability, gender and cultural/linguistic background (Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. (2017a). Final report: Volume 4, Identifying and disclosing child sexual abuse. Barton, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia).

It is important to remember that disclosure of harm may be acts or omissions instigated by either an adult or a peer. Children who harm other children should not be described as an ‘offender’ or ‘perpetrator’, the reasons why children cause harm are complex and a different phenomenon to abuse by an adult (Campbell et al., 2023). Children who cause harm require support themselves. However, how we support a disclosure remains the same whether the disclosure relates to acts or omissions by an adult or peer-to-peer harm.

Disclosure is rarely a single incident or event and can occur in stages over a long period of time (Reitsema & Grietens, 2016; Thulin et al., 2020). Disclosure can be indirect or direct; disclosure may be verbal or non-verbal, accidental or intentional, partial or complete (Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. (2017a). Final report: Volume 4, Identifying and disclosing child sexual abuse. Barton, ACT: Commonwealth of Australia).

Children over 12 years old are more likely to disclose to a peer (McElvaney et al., 2020), therefore an adult may receive a second-hand disclosure. This requires the balance of supporting the child who has received the disclosure, while also gathering the available information. It is possible a peer may not have understood the significance of the disclosure, and likely will require support themselves. The child in receipt of a disclosure requires reassurance that they have done the right thing in telling an adult.

The Australian Institute of Family Studies cites these general tips for responding to disclosure (Bravehearts, 2018; Emerging Minds, n.d.; Kids Helpline, 2025; National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse, n.d.):

• Give the child or young person your full attention.
• Maintain a calm appearance.
• Reassure the child or young person it is right to tell. Tell the child or young person that you believe them and that the abuse or maltreatment is not their fault.
• Recognise the bravery and strength of the child for talking about something that is difficult.
• Let the child or young person take their time.
• Understand and accept the child or young person will disclose only what is comfortable.
• Let the child or young person use their own words.
• Do not make promises you cannot keep.
• Tell the child or young person what you plan to do next. Ask the child or young person what they need or hope to happen after they told you.
• Do not confront the person reported to have caused harm.

Hearing a disclosure can be difficult for us as adults; it is often even more difficult for the child to overcome the many barriers they may experience to making a disclosure. As a diocesan employee, you can seek advice about next steps and your mandatory reporting obligations from the Office of Safeguarding. The Employee Assistance Program is also available to support your ongoing wellbeing.