{"id":83307,"date":"2026-08-18T09:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T08:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/?p=83307"},"modified":"2026-08-19T08:55:58","modified_gmt":"2026-08-19T07:55:58","slug":"how-to-respond-to-disclosure-of-abuse-from-a-child","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highspeedtraining.co.uk\/hub\/how-to-respond-to-disclosure-of-abuse-from-a-child\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Respond to Disclosure of Abuse from a Child"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Anyone who works with children and has safeguarding responsibilities must know what to do in the event of a disclosure of abuse. A disclosure can be a distressing occurrence for all involved. Children may struggle to share details of what they are experiencing out of fear of punishment, fear of not being believed or because they don\u2019t have the language to express what is happening to them; this can unsurprisingly make the prospect of disclosing abuse overwhelming. For adults, it can be incredibly disturbing to hear details of the abuse that a child is experiencing. However, it\u2019s imperative that disclosures of abuse are dealt with efficiently and professionally in order to provide timely and comprehensive support. In this article we will explain what a disclosure is, the different types of disclosure that you may encounter and provide a free downloadable poster<\/a> highlighting key dos and don\u2019ts when responding to a disclosure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is a Disclosure? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A disclosure refers to when a child or young person shares details of abuse that they are experiencing or have experienced. There are many different reasons why a child or young person may not disclose that they are being abused<\/a>. They may feel shame, they may be worried no one will believe them or they may not recognise that they are being abused. Subsequently, when a child or young person discloses what is happening to them, it should be recognised that it has taken considerable courage for them to speak up.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Adult<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

When a child makes a disclosure, it\u2019s vital that they are allowed to speak and given the time to express everything they want to. Ensure that you give them your full attention and that the environment is quiet and private so that they feel safe to speak freely. It\u2019s also important to consider the language that you use. Avoid asking leading questions or trying to finish their sentences for them. Instead, help them open up with encouraging body language and reassuring words that show they are in a safe, non-judgemental environment. This will help them feel comfortable to go at their own pace and use their own words. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s advisable to make objective and comprehensive notes after <\/em>a disclosure. Try to avoid taking notes during the conversation as your full attention should be on the person in front of you and what they are saying. As you will need to keep track of key facts so that they can be recorded properly, it can be beneficial to repeat back what has been said to you. This shows the child that you are listening to what they have said and gives you the chance to check your own understanding. Moreover, reflecting their language reaffirms that you are focused on their <\/em>personal experience.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Types of Disclosures of Abuse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A disclosure of abuse can be made in many different ways and staff should understand that not every child or young person will directly tell them what has happened to them. As mentioned, there are several reasons why a child may not disclose that they are being abused. Those same reasons can also impact how <\/em>a child may go about making a disclosure. For some, a direct disclosure may be too overwhelming and therefore not feel like a realistic option. Subsequently, they may try to disclose what has happened to them indirectly such as through hints or asking someone else to do it for them. It\u2019s important to recognise that children may make disclosures in different ways so that these incidents can be recognised as disclosures. A child hinting that their home life situation is tense could be a desperate cry for help, however if this is dismissed as a random throwaway comment and no further action is taken, they are unlikely to expand on what is happening to them. <\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Young<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

Five common types of disclosure include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n