![]() The information provided here should be considered in conjunction with the appropriate state/territory child protection legislation and your particular organisation's protocols. This paper is aimed at people hearing initial disclosures of abuse, although it may still be useful to child protection workers. More information on protecting children across child and adult-focused sectors can be found in The Good Practice Guide to Child Aware Approaches: Keeping Children Safe and Well. Child protection workers will undertake investigations and professional counsellors are available to provide counselling. It is important to remember that while it is your role to be a supportive listener, it is not your role to counsel the child or investigate his or her claims. Only those people who must know should be informed of the disclosure. If your organisation does not have protocols in place for such circumstances, you should still inform management and the relevant statutory child protection department in your state/territory. If a child or young person discloses abuse that is occurring, or has occurred, outside the organisation, you should support the child or young person by believing him or her and reassuring them that telling was the right thing to do. Most importantly, the needs and welfare of the child or young person must take priority over any perceived threat to the reputation of the organisation or associated individuals (Irenyi et al., 2006). If there are no protocols in place, you or your management should contact the relevant child protection department in your state/territory immediately. ![]() If you work for an organisation and a child or young person in the care of that organisation discloses abuse that has been perpetrated by someone associated with that organisation, it is imperative to follow the organisation's protocols as well as make a report to the relevant statutory child protection department in your state/territory. Organisations that have contact with children should ideally have in place a set of protocols to respond quickly and effectively to disclosures of abuse (Irenyi, Bromfield, Beyer, & Higgins, 2006). Available services can be found in the CFCA Resource Sheet, Helplines and Telephone Counselling Services for Children, Young People and Parents. ![]() Services that are available for children can also help support family members and friends of victims and guide you through the next steps. It is possible that the perpetrator is known to you and may even be a family member. ![]() Hearing that a child or young person has been abused is distressing, and this will be felt even more acutely if you are a friend or relative. If you are a parent, family member or friendĬhildren and young people are most likely to initially disclose abuse to either a parent or same-aged friend (Priebe & Svedin, 2008 Shackel, 2009). However, the way that individuals respond to abuse will differ according to their role in the child's life. This document contains information that will help family, friends, other adults and professionals to respond to a child's disclosure of abuse. ![]()
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