For victims and survivors

Child sexual abuse has long been hidden from public discussion and media have a powerful role to play in ‘breaking the silence’ about abuse - now and in the past - within our families, online, and in organisations. When media organisations or journalists report on child sexual abuse, they are taking your story and sharing it with the wider public. This can be empowering, provide a sense of justice, encourage others to come forward, increase community awareness and generate much-needed legal and policy change.

But engaging with the media can have unintended consequences and cause further harm and trauma. We know that news media reporting has stigmatised, sensationalised, minimised and at times misrepresented the experiences of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. It is a brave and profoundly life-changing thing to go the media, and the decision should not be taken lightly.

Child sexual abuse is a widespread issue with significant individual and social consequences. It is estimated that more than one in four (28.5%) Australians have experienced child sexual abuse.¹ Abuse can leave lasting impacts including on mental health, relationships, education, employment and finances.

Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse: Guidance for Media and Engaging with Media about Child Sexual Abuse: For Victims and Survivors (the Guides) have been developed by the University of Canberra in partnership with the National Office for Child Safety in the Attorney General’s Department. These Guides have been developed with a trauma-informed approach that starts from the principle that media reporting should do no further harm. Along with a review of related guidelines and analysis of news media reporting from April 2020-March 2022, we consulted on the draft Guides with people with lived experience, stakeholders across the child safety sector and with media professionals.

Our consultation program was based on the principles of collaboration, choice, empowerment and safety. We thank the victims and survivors, advocates, service providers and media professionals who gave their time and insights to contribute to the development of the Guides.

“You own your story. It is up to you how much of it you tell and what motivates you to tell. To feel safe, and to achieve your desired interview aspirations, ask yourself what you want out of the interview.”

(Hetty Johnston AM, Founder, Bravehearts)

Participants provided thoughtful, impassioned and practical feedback that illuminated the complexity, challenge and possibility of this topic at the societal, institutional and personal levels.

The Guides acknowledge that the burden of child sexual abuse does not fall evenly across the community. Some voices and experiences are heard more clearly than others and some groups may be disproportionally affected. Special consideration has been given to the needs and sensitivities of victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and their advocates, children and young people and their support networks, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, and people living in regional and remote communities.

This Guide is primarily for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse who want to tell their story to a journalist. We acknowledge that there are times when a victim and survivor may be the subject of a news report without engaging with a journalist. In addition, we acknowledge that families, friends, colleagues and the wider community are also impacted when a story of child sexual abuse is told in the media. Information for family and friends is included in this Guide.

Importantly, this guidance for victims and survivors sits alongside the companion Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse: Guidance for Media. Reading the Guides together can give you a better idea of what good practice for media looks like.

A brief note on terminology

In these Guides we use the term ‘victims and survivors’ to describe people who experienced child sexual abuse. In line with a trauma-informed approach, we acknowledge that as part of the informed consent process, victims and survivors have the right to define their identity and the terms ‘victim’ and ‘survivor’ can for some be considered as existing on a continuum of recovery. We also recognise that some people may not identify with either of these terms.

Content note

This document includes material about child sexual abuse and its portrayal in media that some people might find disturbing.

Where to get help

These Guides may bring up strong feelings and questions for many people. Help is available if you or someone you know has experienced, are experiencing, or are concerned a child or young person may be at risk of harm including child sexual abuse. If you need assistance or support, the National Office for Child Safety Support Services page provides a list of dedicated services.