Media
Darkness to Light is the leading child sexual abuse prevention organization in the United States. We empower adults to help prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse.
Recommendations for Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse
Educating the public about child sexual abuse and its impact on individuals and communities is the key to prevention. We have assembled the following recommendations for covering child sexual abuse to educate, change misconceptions, destigmatize, and avoid misinformation or sensationalism.
Responsible journalism is:
- Offering resources for victims to include prevention education
- Informing without sensationalizing
- Using precise and accurate language that is appropriate to the allegation
- Advocating for solutions
- Reaching out to experts in the community
- Understanding the new stories involving children deserve special consideration
- Avoiding victim blaming
- Avoiding the retraumatizing of the children and families which means not pushing for interviews or asking intrusive questions
BE INFORMED
- One in 10 children will be sexually abused before age 18.
- There are approximately 42 million sexual abuse survivors in the United States – how you report and cover stories may affect them.
- Know that child sexual abuse happens daily and often in low-profile settings.
- Know that 90% of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser and perpetrators often groom victims and their families.
- Only 4-8% of child sexual abuse reports are fabricated.
As seen in:
In your newsfeed:
As the national conversation around sexual abuse grows, with our partners, we pledge to continue to elevate the national dialogue around child sexual abuse and invite you to join us.
The Washington Post: What To Do When Your Child is Accused of Sexually Inappropriate Behavior
CNN Health: How Nassar’s Abuse Impacts Gymnastics Families Everywhere
Vice: GOP Lawmaker Says Someone Should ‘Go After’ Roy Moore’s Accusers
The Hill: Beyond #MeToo: It’s Time to Confront Child Sexual Abuse
