Understanding barriers to children disclosing abuse & barriers to adults reporting abuse

This month we have uploaded new support materials on the CPSL website which have a focus on raising awareness and providing support to address National Catholic Safeguarding Standards indicator 4.1.2: The entity’s Complaints Handling Policy [refer to Criterion 6.1] and practices demonstrate an understanding of barriers that prevent children from disclosing abuse and barriers for adults recognising and/or responding to disclosures, and articulates processes that reduce barriers to disclosure.

This is a multifaceted indicator which has been identified as one which entities are finding a challenge to comprehensively address.  The materials released today address key elements of the indicator and provide strategies and resources to assist entities to address each element.

4.1.2 support materials:

CPSL Guide

• 4.1.2 Barriers that prevent children from disclosing abuse 

Resources

• 4.1.2 & 7.3.1 AIFS - Responding to children & young people's disclosures of abuse
• 4.1.2 - Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia- Top tips for making a complaint 
• 4.1.2 Commissioner for Children and Young People Western Australia - Report - Are you listening guidelines for making complaints systems accessible and responsive to children and young people 

Good practice

• 4.1.2 Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Empowering children and young people to "tell"
• 4.1.2 Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne - Responding to disclosures