Generally, children do have difficulties in reporting abuse. This may be because of their age or their lack of ability to describe what happened to them or to others. Perpetrators of abuse will deliberately target children who are least able to report because they think it’s easier to get away with what they have done. Do you remember the words of Tim in Unit 3 of this course?

There are also wider structural issues that make it difficult for children to report, such as norms and attitudes, which prevent children being listened to or believed, and the stigma and shame associated with sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Children may not know how to report or who to report to – often they may raise it with someone they trust, like the teacher in this example, although unfortunately it is very common that children are not believed.

Remember it’s not the responsibility of children or vulnerable adults who are survivors of sexual abuse, exploitation or sexual harassment to disclose their ordeal. You and your organisation have a responsibility to look for and recognise signs and symptoms of abuse, which you learnt to do in Unit 2 of this course, and to take appropriate action to ensure the survivor/victim and others are not harmed.