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About child sexual abuse

Information to support adults to learn what child sexual abuse is, how it occurs, and how to protect children and young people.

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All adults have a responsibility to protect children and young people. Understanding what child sexual abuse is, how it occurs, and how to create safe environments for children and young people is an important step in preventing it.

Commander Helen Schneider from the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation (ACCCE) explains how adults can safely search for information about how to prevent child sexual abuse.

Adults should learn about the topic of child sexual abuse because it's the right thing to do.

It's all our responsibility to know about this topic, to help keep children and young people safe.

My message to individuals who might be nervous about knowing and learning about child sexual abuse is to remind them that's a really important step towards prevention.

You can safely search for information on child sexual abuse by visiting trusted websites.

You can go to government websites such as childsafety.gov.au, ACCCE.gov.au, and eSafety.gov.au.

You can also visit trusted non-government organisations such as the Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Act for Kids, Bravehearts and the Raising Children Network.

You can safely search on this topic by using terms such as prevent child sexual abuse.

When you search for information on child sexual abuse, you are doing the right thing.

Knowing more about this topic is a really important step towards prevention.

Explore the pages below to find the information and resources you need to learn more about child sexual abuse.

Information about what child sexual abuse is, including dispelling common myths and misconceptions.

Key statistics which demonstrate the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse in Australia.

Examples of signs and indicators that children and young people may display if they have experienced child sexual abuse.

Information on who might perpetrate child sexual abuse.

Information on what grooming is, as well as practical guidance on how to prevent grooming and how to report it.

Guidance for how to support victims and survivors disclosing child sexual abuse.

Information to support adults to understand what they can do to protect children and young people.

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If you or a child are in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).

Information on reporting child safety concerns can be found on our Make a report page.

Get support

The information on this website may bring up strong feelings and questions for many people. There are many services available to assist you. A detailed list of support services is available on our Get support page.