When Information, Access, and Reporting Goes Too Far
April 23, 2024
In the United States, since 1983 Child Abuse Prevention Month is annually observed by presidential proclamation throughout the month of April. It is a critical time to raise awareness of our nation’s child abuse crisis. The statistics remain overwhelmingly alarming that one in four girls — and one in six boys — will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday. Most victims suffer in silence as it is estimated that more than 90 percent of abuse victims never report what happened to them. Even more disturbing is that more than 90 percent of perpetrators are someone an abused child knows and trusts – a coach, camp counselor, teacher, someone in their faith community, or a family member.
This month child safety advocates across the state and nation are urging communities to come together to make a difference, often to encourage parents, caregivers, and community members to have wider conversations about the issues, talk with children about body and online safety, and how to ask for help if something happens. This year is no different, however, we would like to call forward another important issue.
Just two years after the annual recognition of child abuse prevention month, the first Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) was established in Huntsville Alabama. For nearly 40 years CACs have worked to improve investigations and healthy outcomes for children. A major focus of the work of CACs is to reduce the re-traumatization of children by minimizing repeated interviews detailing the intimate and graphic details of their abuse. We strive to ensure that when a child has discussed what has happened to them, that unless it is critically necessary or for purposes of prosecution, if a child chooses not to talk about their trauma again, they won’t have to. For when we think about our darkest memories and experiences, we tend to relive them viscerally. However, there is an increasing issue in our society where at times victims must relive their trauma and experiences further in a very public way.
“Our fascination with the traumatization of others – abuse, murder, exploitation – through social media, TV shows and movies has unfortunately translated into the over-exposure of a victims experience through media reporting.”
As public interest of major incidents of child sexual abuse and exploitation has grown over the years, so has the reporting around it. Unfortunately, the rush to be first for reporting cases involving child sexual abuse has taken priority over the important questions about what information is being reported, and whether it serves the public interest for safety. We have seen a dramatic increase in print, televised, and social media reporting on active cases of child sexual abuse which goes far beyond the scope of public’s need-to-know. This has included intimate details of sexual abuse and assault, children’s statements in police reports, and the over-describing of the relationship between alleged perpetrators and victims. We have seen cases where photographs of children who may have been victims in cases of family violence have been pulled from private social media accounts and rebroadcasted. What’s more, there have been instances where information included in reports which identified the victims through association or unnecessary ancillary details. Worst of all, reporting which portrays victims in the light they are at fault and/or undermines the credibility of a child.
At best, this is the result of a lack of understanding of best practices in reporting and the critical importance of not identifying victims of sexual crimes (especially children.) At worst, and at the crux of the issue, we are placing a child’s most devastating trauma on full display for shock value. Through digital media, social media, and the increased speed at which anyone can access information, not only can child victims be identified in their own community and publicly confronted with their trauma, but victims themselves by being exposed to this reporting will relive their trauma again. The fear that “everyone will find out” is an incredible barrier for victims to come forward for support, and the intense reporting of these cases only adds to this, especially with the venom and vitriol of social media commentary.
There are some who choose to share their stories of abuse, explain how it happened, and the impact it has had on their lives. They are survivors who have been through the processes of the investigation, potential prosecution, and received supportive services. Most importantly, they have made their own choice about what to share, what not to share, and most often leave out the intimate details of what happened. The type of reporting we have seen nationally has been the opposite of this.
Our fascination with the traumatization of others – abuse, murder, exploitation – through social media, TV shows, and movies has translated into the over-exposure of a victims experience through media reporting. Clicks, views, and media ratings cannot untangle the web of complex trauma, it will only add to it and reduce the possibility that others will come forward.
Culturally, we need to ask how we wish to contribute to the prevention and trauma-informed response to child abuse. Is the solution in reporting the details of what the victim experienced, or in the charges against the alleged perpetrator and a focus on their actions? Is it creating narratives which undermine the credibility and support of victims, or can we educate and inform what charges mean, and what local resources for sexual abuse and assault victims are and how to access them?
We can create a world where children are free of abuse, have a voice that is heard, and where they enjoy healthy, safe, and empowered lives. It’s small, transformative steps such as this which will help us get there.
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We want to ensure that those who have the responsibility to report the news have the opportunity to request and receive training and consultation for best practices. If you would like to learn more about ways to report cases in a trauma-informed fashion, please reach out to Jacob Stapledon, Community Engagement and Education Program Manager by emailing him at jacob.stapledon@childrenscove.org
There are additional resources for media sources on our website here.
