Advice for editors and sub-editors

Journalists involved in reporting on child sexual abuse need time to develop trust with victims and survivors and write these stories.

Recognise the power of language, images, headlines and advertising.

• Take care with headlines. Consider accuracy and impact, and avoid headlines that could be seen to sensationalise stories.
• Consider tagging the story as “sensitive” to ensure advertising is excluded for stories about child sexual abuse.
• Be aware that any mention of child sexual abuse, exploitation or paedophilia, even if it’s incidental or in a story about a high-profile celebrity, can be triggering for victims and survivors.
• Graphic images should not be used nor images that stereotype, sexualise or portray victimhood. Develop a database of images that can be used. Visit the ‘Using language and images’ page for more information.
• Ensure images do not identify a victim and survivor or alleged perpetrator if you do not have permission or there are legal proceedings.
• Provide support, training and resources for your staff.
• Tailor policies, guidelines and training on how to report on child sexual abuse. These can be based on this Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse: Guidance for Media.
• Facilitate training for journalists on best practice reporting on child sexual abuse and vicarious trauma.
• Allow a journalist time to sensitively interview victims and survivors.
• Have a database of experts for journalists to call on. The National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse is also a useful national resource.
• Provide wellbeing support for staff and ensure the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is easily available.
• Constant or prolonged exposure to these stories is damaging for journalists. Rotate journalists who cover commissions or inquiries or extended court cases.
• Consider only putting senior, experienced journalists on stories of child sexual abuse.
• Don’t push a journalist if they show reluctance to cover a story as they may have a personal history with the issue.