When addressing child sexual abuse, the chosen words and the way the phenomenon is described influence public attitudes, knowledge, and sense of responsibility. To ensure that reporting on child sexual abuse is appropriate and respects the rights of the child, it is important not only to use proper terminology but also to carefully weigh, among other things, the public’s right to information against the child’s right to privacy.
Save the Children Finland wants to help journalists succeed in their work when addressing and reporting on child sexual abuse. This is a sensitive topic that involves challenging terminology, and this guide provides practical advice on how to discuss child sexual abuse in a way that respects the rights of the child.
This guide is inspired by the INHOPE Media guidelines for reporting on Child Sexual Abuse. It was presented in the cluster event for Safer Internet Centres and European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) hubs in Brussels on 5th of December.
