Disclosing child sexual abuse: children and young people's experiences. Insights for the proposed mandatory reporting duty in England and Wales
- Debra Allnock(PI),
- Joe Kiff(Research Fellow/PDRA)
Project: Research
Project status
Finished
Description
A central recommendation from the Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA, 2022) was the introduction of a mandatory reporting duty in England and Wales for disclosures of child sexual abuse.
To help understand the potential implications of this proposal, the NSPCC commissioned researchers from the University of Bedfordshire , Safer Young Lives Research Centre, to review the evidence on:
the barriers to disclosure children and young people face
the motivators and facilitators that help them to disclose sexual abuse
their experiences following disclosure.
The evidence review focuses on 43 papers and reports from international research with children and young people about their experiences or views on disclosing sexual abuse.
The review identifies several key insights to inform thinking about the proposed mandatory reporting duty. It also highlights gaps in the current research, including a lack of consideration of the reporting systems in place in the countries in which children disclosed abuse, and limited research into children’s perspectives and experiences of those systems. The report recommends further direct research with children and young people to inform the design of any proposed system.
To help understand the potential implications of this proposal, the NSPCC commissioned researchers from the University of Bedfordshire , Safer Young Lives Research Centre, to review the evidence on:
the barriers to disclosure children and young people face
the motivators and facilitators that help them to disclose sexual abuse
their experiences following disclosure.
The evidence review focuses on 43 papers and reports from international research with children and young people about their experiences or views on disclosing sexual abuse.
The review identifies several key insights to inform thinking about the proposed mandatory reporting duty. It also highlights gaps in the current research, including a lack of consideration of the reporting systems in place in the countries in which children disclosed abuse, and limited research into children’s perspectives and experiences of those systems. The report recommends further direct research with children and young people to inform the design of any proposed system.
Project Information
Project Type
ResearchProject Managed By
Project Collaborators
Time Period
01/03/2023 – 31/07/2023Status
FinishedKey Findings
Most children do not disclose child sexual abuse to professionals. First disclosures are most commonly made to peers or mothers, with fewer than 15% made to authorities, education staff, health professionals, or other mandated reporters.
Fear is a major barrier to disclosure. Children and young people worry about not being believed, being blamed, losing relationships, causing family disruption, and the consequences of child protection or criminal justice involvement.
Disclosure is a process, not a single event. Young people's accounts show that disclosure often unfolds gradually over time and is influenced by trust, relationships, opportunities to talk, and adults' responses.
Trust and relationships are central. Young people are more likely to share experiences of abuse when adults are approachable, non-judgmental, persistent, empathetic and transparent about what will happen next.
Mandatory reporting may have unintended consequences. Evidence suggests that some children and young people may be less willing to disclose if they know that information will automatically be reported, particularly due to fears about loss of control, confidentiality, and family consequences.
Professional responses matter as much as reporting duties. Young people's experiences indicate that insensitive, procedural, or poorly communicated responses can be distressing and re-traumatising, while supportive and validating responses can facilitate recovery and engagement.
Similar barriers are reported in jurisdictions both with and without mandatory reporting systems. The review found no evidence that mandatory reporting alone removes the barriers children face when considering disclosure.
Disabled, LGBTQ+ and minoritised children may face additional barriers. These include communication difficulties, discrimination, cultural pressures, concerns about confidentiality and lower trust in services.
Key Policy Message
Any mandatory reporting system should be designed around children's experiences and needs. Alongside reporting duties, systems must prioritise trust, transparency, child-centred practice, confidentiality, specialist support and meaningful involvement of children and young people in policy design.
Fear is a major barrier to disclosure. Children and young people worry about not being believed, being blamed, losing relationships, causing family disruption, and the consequences of child protection or criminal justice involvement.
Disclosure is a process, not a single event. Young people's accounts show that disclosure often unfolds gradually over time and is influenced by trust, relationships, opportunities to talk, and adults' responses.
Trust and relationships are central. Young people are more likely to share experiences of abuse when adults are approachable, non-judgmental, persistent, empathetic and transparent about what will happen next.
Mandatory reporting may have unintended consequences. Evidence suggests that some children and young people may be less willing to disclose if they know that information will automatically be reported, particularly due to fears about loss of control, confidentiality, and family consequences.
Professional responses matter as much as reporting duties. Young people's experiences indicate that insensitive, procedural, or poorly communicated responses can be distressing and re-traumatising, while supportive and validating responses can facilitate recovery and engagement.
Similar barriers are reported in jurisdictions both with and without mandatory reporting systems. The review found no evidence that mandatory reporting alone removes the barriers children face when considering disclosure.
Disabled, LGBTQ+ and minoritised children may face additional barriers. These include communication difficulties, discrimination, cultural pressures, concerns about confidentiality and lower trust in services.
Key Policy Message
Any mandatory reporting system should be designed around children's experiences and needs. Alongside reporting duties, systems must prioritise trust, transparency, child-centred practice, confidentiality, specialist support and meaningful involvement of children and young people in policy design.
Funding Details
NSPCC ProjectAward
FundersAmounts
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
15003 GBP