Chances are you know someone who has experienced child sexual abuse. Do you know how to respond?

  • Compassion
  • Trauma informed
  • Victims & Survivors
National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

Hearing about a person’s experience of child sexual abuse can be confronting and people listening to disclosures may be confronted by their own reactions. These may include shock, surprise, fear of doing or saying the wrong thing or responding inadequately. Other reactions might be anger, disbelief, doubt or not feeling anything at all. For the person disclosing, the shame, fear and lasting impacts of trauma arising from child sexual abuse mean that sharing their story risks re-traumatisation as a result of the reactions they receive. They may also be in a heightened state after summoning the courage to disclose, fearful of placing close relationships in jeopardy and anticipating avoidance or rejection

If you consider yourself a self-aware and empathic person, you may assume you would be compassionate in the situation of a person disclosing child sexual abuse to you. Lived experience survivor, Angela Obradovic, says: 

People might say to themselves, “I know how to respond to someone compassionately”— assuming that this scenario is no different to other situations of suffering or distress people confide in them about — that is, until they have to. [To be prepared] consider what you might not have thought about yet in relation to child sexual abuse. [Everyone] has a really valuable role to play that doesn’t require special knowledge or a professional role.

Compassion is a basic human quality

Compassion is a basic human quality but this concept can mean different things to different people. Compassion has been described as being aware of someone’s suffering and committed to attempt to alleviate that suffering. Compassion is expressed by the very young who simply let their humanity guide their response; for example, two toddlers at play where one falls over and the other goes to check on and comfort their friend. Children have no professional training, may not even be able to talk, yet their humanity allows them to express positive social support in response to the suffering they see. Victims and survivors of child sexual abuse say that receiving positive social support helps to counteract impacts of child sexual abuse and significantly assists their healing journey. This description may seem like a straightforward scenario of compassion being innate and readily available without requiring any special preparation or skill. Likewise, it makes sense that a compassionate response to a person sharing their story of child sexual abuse can make a significant positive difference. However, a multitude of victims and survivors share that the responses they received were not compassionate. That’s why thinking about and examining your own reaction to a disclosure of child sexual abuse is important. 

Building confidence in being compassionate in the face of child sexual abuse

People might find hearing someone’s story of child sexual abuse challenging because there are different situational circumstances that may inhibit or enable confidence in responding. Their capacity to empathise and respond compassionately may also be challenged by the context and relationship they have with the person disclosing. 

Lack of personal experience isn’t a barrier to understanding distress or its impact. We are all capable of imagining ourselves ‘standing in someone else’s shoes’, or are able to identify a similar experience that is easily generalised to cross the social distance. 

For example, calling on your experience as a child when supporting children or parents even if you are not a parent or a childcare worker yourself. Equally, the closer something is to a person’s experience the more impactful it may be. That very proximity, for a variety of reasons, can trigger avoidance or, alternatively, a deeper connection and caring motivation. 

As the National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse (the National Centre) found through their Learning and Professional Development Survey, having a professional role overlapping with a lived and living experience of child sexual abuse is not uncommon. This survey draws attention to the fact that those with this dual identification (31%) may experience complex constraints about sharing their own story. While responding to disclosures is a core part of their work and richly informs it, codes of ethics and behaviour limit their options to share and receive support.   

Given the secrecy that accompanies child sexual abuse — which remains out of sight and out of mind — a person with lived experience may find another survivor wanting to share a story of child sexual abuse with them. If your own history has been dormant or unexplored, your response may be complicated and require self-compassion. 

Exploring a range of scenarios that you may encounter, as well as reflecting on your own familiarity with abuse or lack of it, can identify barriers you may not have considered. 

It can also help you to update yourself about situations where the needs of a child or adult victim require immediate protective action. Regardless of your relationship to the person, this approach allows the opportunity to build confidence in your response in advance and may help to reduce the sense that this basic response of compassion is difficult, specialist or fraught. 

Compassionate responses to people who share their experience of child sexual abuse

In essence, a compassionate response, at its core, is where the listener is ‘actively’ listening, paying close attention to what is being revealed and allowing the person to say whatever they need to at their own pace; sitting with them in the moment and ignoring any distractions. It’s one where the listener is being a calm, grounded anchor, bearing witness to the story, accepting it and the way it’s being told — whether that is a slow release of built-up tension, expressed with strained tight control or buffeted by a flood of emotions.

People stress that being believed is critical. Survivors scan for signs of being believed and are often reassured by facial expressions and body language that convey acceptance and kindness well before the listener speaks. 

To hear someone acknowledge the risk and courage involved in breaking the silence conveys belief, too. For a survivor to be thanked for the trust they are demonstrating in the listener, or hearing “I’m glad you’ve shared this with me,” is incredibly validating. This is particularly important if the story is being shared over the phone rather than in person. Without visual cues, silent pauses can create anxiety about judgement. Statements like these can allay that unease.

For many reasons, words can fail people when telling their story. To hear a listener tell them to take their time, or to hear what they’ve said reflected back, confirms and deepens the sense of really being heard.

Sometimes a disclosure may emerge after you have shared something else of great sensitivity yourself. That expression of vulnerability can create moments of courage. Survivors may have had a number of false starts and sensing permission and mutuality can strengthen their resolve. 

It may feel instinctive to join with a victim-survivor about similar experiences you or others have had as a way of demonstrating understanding. Resist. 

A first conversation needs to focus on the survivor’s story. That solidarity may be more validating to them if shared on another occasion. 

As time passes, emotional exhaustion is likely. Make it clear that you care about them and that they can say as much or as little as they feel comfortable to; knowing that you will be there to listen again if and when they want to talk. Ask the person if there’s anything you can do to help right now.

It may seem obvious to check with adult survivors if they have sought professional help and to encourage that. A way to avoid giving the impression that their story may have overloaded and burdened you is by naming yourself as part of their broader support network. 

Responding compassionately is both possible and essential to a victim-survivor’s healing journey. By examining your own understanding of what compassion is, reflecting on the reality that you may feel confronted by somebody sharing an experience of child sexual abuse and further reflecting on how you will respond if this situation occurs is great preparation.

As Angela points out:

“Often people rob themselves of the power to act in a simple but powerful way. They believe that child sexual abuse is such a complex, sensitive area that they will fall short somehow when, in reality, and whether you are a loved one, friend, colleague or professional, mindfully listening, acknowledging and supporting the person has an incredibly healing effect in the lives of victim-survivors.”

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Understanding child sexual abuse

Preventing child sexual abuse by understanding perpetrators’ motivations
Supporting Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: Rapid Evidence Reviews
Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (‘The Ngagagee project’)
Preventing repeat child exploitation material offending: An international evaluation of the CEM-COPE Program
Conceptualising and Estimating the Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation (Phase One of Australian Study into Economic Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation)
An environmental scan of Child Sexual Abuse related workforce training offerings in Australia
Enhancing the capability of Australia’s Primary Health Workforce to respond to child sexual abuse
CHANGE – curtailing harm and navigating growth: evidence for change pathways of young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Amplifying the voices of victim-survivors: Advancing the harmful sexual behaviour evidence base – the Ava project
Reshaping the Conversation: Development of a shared language and preferred definitions guide endorsed by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse
Building a knowledge frame for responding to the needs of children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Children and Young People’s Safety Project
Child safe practices using contextual safeguarding strategies
The more I talk, the stronger I get: unlocking our past to free our future
Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors
Online child sexual victimisation and associated mental health outcomes
Differentiating adverse childhood experience profiles of male youths who exhibit harmful sexual behaviours

Response to child sexual abuse

From bystanders to allies: a structural feminist perspective for supporting child victims and adult survivors of child rape and torture.
Supporting Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: Rapid Evidence Reviews
Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (‘The Ngagagee project’)
Preventing repeat child exploitation material offending: An international evaluation of the CEM-COPE Program
Evaluation of the Multi-Agency Investigation & Support Team
Conceptualising and Estimating the Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation (Phase One of Australian Study into Economic Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation)
Effect of multi-agency deliberation on perceptions of risk in responses to child abuse and neglect
The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study
CHANGE – curtailing harm and navigating growth: evidence for change pathways of young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Improving legal, policy and practice responses to the intersection of domestic violence perpetration and child sexual abuse offending
Investigating experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure and disbelief in the Family Court
Understanding the experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure in Australia in the wake of the Royal Commission
Building trauma-responsive sexual health and relationship education
Learning from victims and survivors about what helps disclosure and responses to child sexual abuse
Amplifying the voices of victim-survivors: Advancing the harmful sexual behaviour evidence base – the Ava project
The dignity by design project: survivor-led system redesign
Evaluating a harmful sexual behaviour education program in a residential care setting
Community as experts: investigating the context, needs and help-seeking pathways for child sexual abuse survivors and their supporters in the NSW Bega Valley
Developing and implementing a framework for abuse prevention through culture change and organisational development
Reshaping the Conversation: Development of a shared language and preferred definitions guide endorsed by victims and survivors of child sexual abuse
Building a knowledge frame for responding to the needs of children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Australian Child Maltreatment Study
Children and Young People’s Safety Project
Child safe practices using contextual safeguarding strategies
Enhancing the capacity of rural and regional respectful relationship educators
Strengthening relationships and connections for young people in therapeutic residential care
The safeguarding capability of adults in Catholic Church ministries: a global perspective
Creating safer futures: raising public awareness of child sexual abuse among young adults through digital storytelling
Survivor perspectives on institutional use of child sexual abuse material
The more I talk, the stronger I get: unlocking our past to free our future
Delivering trauma-informed support for child sexual abuse victims in Victoria: mapping the knowledge gaps and training needs of the specialist sectors
Online child sexual victimisation and associated mental health outcomes
Differentiating adverse childhood experience profiles of male youths who exhibit harmful sexual behaviours

Needs of victims and survivors

From bystanders to allies: a structural feminist perspective for supporting child victims and adult survivors of child rape and torture.
Supporting Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: Rapid Evidence Reviews
Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (‘The Ngagagee project’)
Evaluation of the Multi-Agency Investigation & Support Team
The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study
An environmental scan of Child Sexual Abuse related workforce training offerings in Australia
Enhancing the capability of Australia’s Primary Health Workforce to respond to child sexual abuse
Improving legal, policy and practice responses to the intersection of domestic violence perpetration and child sexual abuse offending
Investigating experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure and disbelief in the Family Court
Understanding the experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure in Australia in the wake of the Royal Commission
Building trauma-responsive sexual health and relationship education
Learning from victims and survivors about what helps disclosure and responses to child sexual abuse
Amplifying the voices of victim-survivors: Advancing the harmful sexual behaviour evidence base – the Ava project
The dignity by design project: survivor-led system redesign
Supporting continuous quality improvement in safeguarding at Hockey Australia and other national sporting organisations
Evaluating a harmful sexual behaviour education program in a residential care setting
Community as experts: investigating the context, needs and help-seeking pathways for child sexual abuse survivors and their supporters in the NSW Bega Valley
Enhancing the capacity of rural and regional respectful relationship educators
Creating safer futures: raising public awareness of child sexual abuse among young adults through digital storytelling
Survivor perspectives on institutional use of child sexual abuse material
The more I talk, the stronger I get: unlocking our past to free our future

Prevention of child sexual abuse

From bystanders to allies: a structural feminist perspective for supporting child victims and adult survivors of child rape and torture.
Preventing child sexual abuse by understanding perpetrators’ motivations
Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (‘The Ngagagee project’)
Preventing repeat child exploitation material offending: An international evaluation of the CEM-COPE Program
Conceptualising and Estimating the Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation (Phase One of Australian Study into Economic Costs of Child Sexual Exploitation)
The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study
An environmental scan of Child Sexual Abuse related workforce training offerings in Australia
CHANGE – curtailing harm and navigating growth: evidence for change pathways of young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Evaluating a harmful sexual behaviour education program in a residential care setting
Developing and implementing a framework for abuse prevention through culture change and organisational development
Building a knowledge frame for responding to the needs of children and young people who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour
Australian Child Maltreatment Study
Strengthening relationships and connections for young people in therapeutic residential care
Differentiating adverse childhood experience profiles of male youths who exhibit harmful sexual behaviours

Identification of child sexual abuse

From bystanders to allies: a structural feminist perspective for supporting child victims and adult survivors of child rape and torture.
The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study
An environmental scan of Child Sexual Abuse related workforce training offerings in Australia
Enhancing the capability of Australia’s Primary Health Workforce to respond to child sexual abuse
Supporting continuous quality improvement in safeguarding at Hockey Australia and other national sporting organisations
Evaluating a harmful sexual behaviour education program in a residential care setting
Developing and implementing a framework for abuse prevention through culture change and organisational development
Children and Young People’s Safety Project
The safeguarding capability of adults in Catholic Church ministries: a global perspective

Disclosure of child sexual abuse

Ngagagee Ngulu Murrup Durra (‘The Ngagagee project’)
The Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge and response study
An environmental scan of Child Sexual Abuse related workforce training offerings in Australia
Enhancing the capability of Australia’s Primary Health Workforce to respond to child sexual abuse
Improving legal, policy and practice responses to the intersection of domestic violence perpetration and child sexual abuse offending
Investigating experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure and disbelief in the Family Court
Understanding the experiences of child sexual abuse disclosure in Australia in the wake of the Royal Commission
Learning from victims and survivors about what helps disclosure and responses to child sexual abuse
Supporting continuous quality improvement in safeguarding at Hockey Australia and other national sporting organisations
Community as experts: investigating the context, needs and help-seeking pathways for child sexual abuse survivors and their supporters in the NSW Bega Valley