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For the media

Information for media reporting on the topic of child sexual abuse.

Content note: this page and documents within include material about child sexual abuse and its portrayal in media that some people might find confronting. If you need assistance or support, visit our Get support page.

Reporting guidance for media

Advice on how to report on child sexual abuse appropriately and engage with victims and survivors safely.

Read the resources

One Talk at a Time campaign

Australia’s first national awareness raising campaign aimed at preventing child sexual abuse.

Access the campaign materials

About child sexual abuse

Information to support adults to learn what child sexual abuse is, how it occurs, and how to protect children and young people.

Learn more about child sexual abuse

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS)

The first national study of the prevalence, nature and impacts of all 5 forms of child maltreatment, including sexual, physical, and emotional abuse, neglect, and exposure to domestic violence.

Visit the ACMS website

Media contact

The Attorney-General's Department Media Team is responsible for providing the media with information or comment relating to the work of the National Office for Child Safety.

Please use the form on the Department's website to submit a media enquiry or email media@ag.gov.au.

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Guidance for media professionals and victims and survivors

We commissioned the University of Canberra News and Media Research Centre to develop evidence‑based media guides to encourage responsible reporting on child sexual abuse and support victims and survivors engaging with the media.

The key aim of these resources is to promote reporting that raises community awareness of child sexual abuse, reduces stigma, and empowers victims and survivors when they share their personal experiences with the media.

Guidance for media professionals and victims and survivors

Guidance for media

Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse

The guidance includes advice on how to develop and frame stories appropriately, language and terminology to use and avoid, and sensitivities to consider when engaging with victims and survivors.
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For victims and survivors

These Guides have been developed to support and empower those with lived experience of child sexual abuse in their interactions with the media.
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Quick reference guides

Language and terminology guide

A short guide to using appropriate language and terminology, including harmful and re-traumatising language to avoid.

Developing the guides

Developing the guides

The University of Canberra undertook comprehensive research to inform the development of the guides, including a literature review and quantitative and qualitative analysis of media coverage on child sexual abuse over a two‑year period.

The guides have also been informed by robust consultation, involving face-to-face and online workshops, small group sessions and individual meetings with over 100 victims and survivors, advocates, journalists, editors, podcasters, academics, and policy and research staff.

Read the full research report and consultation summary on the University of Canberra website.

Find out more

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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