2. What is a disclosure?
A disclosure is when a child
lets someone else know of
a recent, ongoing or historic
experience of harm.
When a child discloses harm,
it is often through their
behavioural and emotional
language
A disclosure is may be
direct ( by telling someone)
or
indirect ( though non verbal
means)
3. Important....
The Royal Commission findings and other studies
show that the average time before someone
discloses abuse is about 20 years.
This means that children are not being heard or
understood during their childhood.
There are many reasons why children don't
disclose, and why adults don't hear when they
attempt to tell.
4. Identifying Disclosures
Not all disclosures involve a child directly telling an
adult what has happened. In fact this rarely
happens .
Disclosures often take the form of indirect
expressions of what has happened.
In the following examples decide whether each should be
considered a potential disclosure or not.
5. " I don't want to go
to Uncle Jim's
house anymore.......
Is this a potential disclosure
of abuse from a child?
YES
NO
6. YES!
This is a potential
disclosure
Signs of anxiety or worry from a
child about attending the home
of a previously loved relative is a
possible indirect disclosure.
7. A once-happy child has become
sullen and withdrawn and gets
aggressive when spoken to
directly.
Is this a potential disclosure
of abuse from a child?
YES
NO
8. YES!
This is a potential
disclosure
Heightened negative emotions
eg aggression, are a common
way for a child to disclose
9. A child's recent drawings are of
dark and violent images
Is this a potential disclosure
of abuse from a child?
YES
NO
10. Artwork that depicts graphic
imagery or writing about it,
is a potential form of
disclosure
YES!
This is a potential
disclosure
11. Examples of possible indirect disclosures
• Destructiveness
• Non compliance
• Non-verbal cues
• Artwork
• emotions
• Aggression
• Avoiding situations
• Appearing disinterested
• Through discussions and questions " is it ok to...?
• Drawing or writing stories about sexual acts
• Sexualised behaviours
• Risk-taking behaviours
• Self harming
• Suicidal behaviour
• Disordered eating
• Drugs and alcohol
12. Responding to disclosures
Now that you know a little more about identifying a
possible disclosure, let's look at how to respond safely
and effectively - particularly if a child or vulnerable adult,
comes to you directly.
13. Responding to Disclosures
For each question presented in this scenario you will be
given a series of responses to choose from.
Select the one you think is best suited to helping the child.
Based on your response, you will get feedback, including the child's reaction as well as
pointers about what was or was not ideal about your response.
14. You are approached by a child who has just
returned from gym practice.
She is visibly distressed and almost
incapable of talking and will not look you in
the eye.
The child explains in stilted words that
something happened to them involving an
adult.
Scenario
15. Thanks for telling me, are
you ok?
Next
Thank you for telling me.
Do you want to tell me
what happened?
Why dont you tell me
what happened?
Select your response
from the options
Ok, thanks for telling me.
Did this happen at gym
practice?
16. Ok, thanks for telling me.
did this happen at gym
practice? The child says
yes, but no
longer wants to
talk about
anything else
If you try to coerce a particular
response from a child, you run
the risk of placing them in blame.
Closed questions can have this
effect, especially when you do
not yet know what has
happened.
Try again
17. Can you tell me more
about what happened?
The child is more
comfortable now and
you can begin to
seek more
information.
Next
Did someone touch you
or threaten you in any
way?
OK. What happened,
was it at gymnastics?
OK. was this adult at
gymnastics?
Select your response
from the options
18. Can you tell more more
about what happened?
The child
cautiously
explains that an
adult touched her
after gym
practice.
Asking open-ended
questions gives the child
an opportunity to talk more
about what happened and
helps you decide what you
need to do next.
Next
19. I'll need to speak to the
police. Can you tell me a
little more?
The child has now
told you that she was
touched by an adult
at gym practice
Next
Has this only happened
today? what can I do help
you feel safe?
Thank you for telling me.
Was it your coach who did
this?
I'm going to talk to
someone who can help.
How can I help you feel
safe now?
Select your response
from the options
20. Has this only happened
today? What can I do to
help you feel safe?
The child says
yes, then looks
ashamed and no
longer wants to
talk.
Assuring the child you are
interested in keeping them safe
is crucial. However,
it is not your job to investigate.
You only need to find out enough
to know how to proceed.
Try again
21. The child feels
reassured.
Informing the child of your next steps
is crucial. Consider the age of the
child, the context and any known risk
factors and explain to her that you
will need to talk with someone to
help her be safe.
Equally important is assuring her
that you will support her throughout
these next steps by checking on on
what else you can do.
Thank you for sharing that with me.
I'm going to talk to someone who
can help. How can I help you feel
safe now?
22. Responses
• Listen to the child
• Stay calm
• Believe the child
• Tell them it's not their fault and they've done the
right thing by telling
• Let them tell you in their own words
• Don't jump to conclusions
• Only ask questions for clarification, not to
investigate
• Let the child know what you need to do next
• If you need to clarify what the child is telling you only
as 1 or 2 questions - the purpose of this is to assess
what you need to do next.
23. Clarifying Questions
Leading/closed questions
• Did he/she touch you?
• Was that ( him/her) that did that to you?
• What else has ( he/she done to you?
• Are you sure that happened?
Open-ended Questions
• Can you tell me more about that?
• What happened?
• when did this happen?
• What do you need to help you feel safe now?
