Sharing your story as a victim-survivor of child sexual abuse can be an empowering experience. The more we bring this subject into the light and create community awareness, the less stigmatising it will become. However, engaging with the media can be a challenging and confusing experience potentially leading to further harm and trauma. Telling your story in a public forum is a courageous choice. If you have made this decision these guidelines, commissioned by the National office for Child Safety (NOCS), will help guide you and your loved ones through the process.

Full guide: Engaging with media about child sexual abuse: For victims and survivors.

Quick reference guide: Key principles for victims and survivors engaging with the media.

Child sexual abuse and exploitation is a challenging subject to report. The National Office for Child Safety (NOCS) has commissioned the University of Canberra News and Research Centre to create evidence-based media guides to support journalists and editors when reporting and writing about current or historical child abuse.

The guides are designed to encourage reporting that raises community awareness of child sexual abuse, reduce stigma, and empowers victim survivors when they share their personal stories wth the media. 

Discussing child sexual abuse can be retraumatising for a victim-survivor sharing their story, but also when reading a story. 

These guides provide advice on appropriate language and terminology, and what to avoid, as well as how to develop and frame stories that are victim survivor-centric and non-stigmatising. They also provide information on sensitivities to consider when engaging with victims and survivors. 

Access the full guides here.

Or, access the quick reference guides: 

• Key Principles
• Language & terminology guide
• Practical guide for editors and sub-editors
• Practical guide for court reporters