Disclosure of online child sexual victimisation: Findings from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study

Little is known about whether children and youth disclose online sexual victimization experiences, who they first tell, and their initial feelings of being supported.

We aimed to identify prevalence of disclosure of two types of online victimization (nonconsensual sharing of sexual images of themselves; and online sexual solicitation by an adult); recipients of first disclosures; and feelings of support.

The Australian Child Maltreatment Study collected retrospective self-report information from a nationally representative sample of 3500 individuals aged 16-24 years; 7.6 % (n = 256) experienced nonconsensual image sharing; and 17.7 % (n = 576) experienced adult sexual solicitation; these participants provided information on disclosure.

We generated national estimates of disclosure of each experience. Disclosure recipients were assessed using 19 recipient types, collapsed into four classes. We assessed whether participants felt supported by this first recipient.

Two thirds of those who experienced nonconsensual sharing of sexual images disclosed (64.3 %; 95 % CI 57.4-70.6), and three in five who experienced adult solicitation disclosed (59.2 %; 95 % CI 54.6-63.5). The most common recipients of disclosures were friends (nonconsensual image-sharing: 50.4 % 95 % CI 41.7-58.9 %; adult solicitation: 58.1 %; 95 % CI 52.3-63.8 %), followed by parents. Most felt supported on their first disclosure (nonconsensual image-sharing: 80.6 %, 95 % CI 73.6-86.1 %; adult solicitation: 91.6 %; 95 % CI 87.9-94.2 %). No significant differences were evident by gender.

Findings have implications for stakeholders in supporting children and youth to seek support when needed. Findings can enhance the capacity of disclosure recipients to respond in appropriate ways.