Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge, and response study

National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22828

Record ID: 891e0626-c644-4317-870a-36ab6edb816f

Web resource:	https://nationalcentre.org.au/research/australian-child-sexual-abuse-attitudes-knowledge-and-response-study/
Type:	Report
Title:	Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge, and response study
Other Titles:	Report 1: Top line findings
Authors:	National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Keywords:	Community Attitudes;Child Abuse and Neglect;Children and Young People;Sexual Violence
Topic:	Children and young people Sexual violence
Population:	Children and young people
Year:	Oct-2024
Publisher:	National Centre for Action on Child Sexual Abuse
Abstract:	This report presents the top-line findings from the first wave of the Australian child sexual abuse attitudes, knowledge, and response study. The report provides a comprehensive overview of Australian community attitudes and knowledge about child sexual abuse, including significant levels of awareness and recognition of the issue. However, it identifies key areas of concern, including victim-blaming attitudes towards adolescents and misconceptions about the prevalence and impact of child sexual abuse. The report also highlights the community's lack of preparedness to support victims and survivors and calls for action to improve prevention and intervention measures across Australian society.
Notes:	Open access
Contents:	High awareness: A significant portion of the community (89%) agrees that there are more victims and survivors of child sexual abuse in the community than people realise. Similarly, 86% acknowledge that child sexual abuse is much more common than most people realise. Personal impact perception: Although many are aware of the issue, around 31% of respondents did not believe that child sexual abuse directly impacted them. Additionally, 56% did not believe that child sexual abuse occurred in their area. Victim-blaming attitudes: The study found troubling levels of victim-blaming, particularly toward adolescent victims. For instance, 40% agreed that older children should resist adults' sexual advances, and 12% believed that adolescent girls wearing revealing clothing were "asking" to be sexually abused. Belief in victims: Around 1 in 5 respondents (22%) were neutral about whether children should always be believed if they disclose sexual abuse, and nearly 18% felt children are too unreliable to take their word over an adult's. Community responses: Many respondents felt unprepared to respond to disclosures of child sexual abuse. For example, 28% did not feel confident about how to start a conversation with a child they suspected had been sexually abused, and 31% were unsure how to talk to the child’s parent or carer. Long-term impacts: There was strong awareness of long-term impacts of child sexual abuse, such as difficulties with personal relationships (89%), poor mental health (87%), and substance use issues (85%). However, fewer respondents recognised other impacts such as disruptions to cultural connections (68%) and financial insecurity (56%). Perpetrator misconceptions: The majority of respondents understood that perpetrators are most likely to be someone close to the child, such as a relative or family friend, rather than strangers. Government response: A large portion of respondents (83%) felt that the government should do more to respond to the needs of adult survivors of child sexual abuse.
Ref Id:	Report 1: Top line findings
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/22828
Appears in Collections:	New Australian Research: October 2024 Reports

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