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Consent

It’s your right to know what will happen when you tell your story and once it is public, noting that things can change during the editorial process and the final outcome might look different. This includes fully understanding the legal impacts.

  • Informed consent means knowing and understanding what might happen if you tell your story.
  • The journalist who speaks to you should have an understanding of informed consent and will ask if you give consent to being interviewed. Note that this applies to journalists who are interviewing you and doesn’t include court reporting. This type of reporting is subject to legal constraints (see ‘Legal considerations and support’).
  • Telling your story publicly can empower you if managed carefully, but it can also cause further harm, stigma and trauma for victims and survivors, and their families and friends.
  • Although you have agency and control at the start of the media process, at some point your story will become the media’s property, and it will then be out in the public realm for others to share or comment on.
  • The final publication may be different to your expectations and once your story is public, other outlets may reproduce it and may not treat it with the same respect.
  • The nature of social media means others may make hurtful comments. You have a right to ask the media outlet to turn off comments on online stories, and you can manage your social media profile to minimise the impact on you (see ‘Social Media’).
  • Any images or interview footage may continue to be used after your story has been published.

The benefits and considerations of telling your story

It’s your story and you might find it empowering to share.

Media coverage can help to raise awareness of the issue by educating the public about the crime of child sexual abuse.

It can inspire others to come forward.

It can help others make sense of their own experience.

It can influence public policy, and lead to legislative reform.

The interview and publication process may be distressing and intensify trauma, but if you are prepared and have support on hand, the process may be easier.

The responses to the story from friends and family can be unpredictable, so consider communicating with them throughout the process.

The online environment means your story will be on the internet forever and it is very unlikely a media outlet will agree to taking the story down if you change your mind later.

You’re not obliged to help others if it comes at your own expense.

Policy and legislative change takes time and many voices.

Legal reminders

  • Journalists may need to get legal advice when reporting your story. You have a right to ask about this advice and what it means for the story.
  • If you’re appearing before a government inquiry or commission, check with the organisers about whether your testimony or evidence is public and could appear in the media.
  • If you’re providing evidence in court, you may like to seek advice on whether your evidence will be made public.

… you quite often will get people six months, 12 months after publication, say look, I’ve moved on with my life. I don’t want that story to be out there anymore. And that’s a much trickier thing to then decide to scrub it from the record. 

(Media)

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For victims and survivors

If you or a child are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Information on reporting child safety concerns can be found on our Make a report page.

Get support

The information on this website may bring up strong feelings and questions for many people. There are many services available to assist you. A detailed list of support services is available on our Get support page.

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