There are several factors that contribute to whether a child is comfortable disclosing abuse to an adult. Children are more likely to talk about problems when they: have access to an adult they can trust; are able to understand that what is happening to them is not normal or safe; and trust that they will be believed. Another factor that may help a child disclose abuse is when a safe adult is intentional and asks direct questions about a child’s life as it communicates caring and attention to the child’s life circumstances. For more information, read the VIRTUS® article “Superpowers: Safe Adults Have Them” at lacatholics.org/did-you-know/.
Read the VIRTUS® article “Superpowers: Safe Adults Have Them” here.