Child abuse: What to look for and how to respond When you entrust your child to a childcare provider, you do so with the belief that they’ll be safe, nurtured and protected. Sadly, in rare and devastating instances, that trust may be violated. At Arnold Thomas & Becker, we are representing hundreds of families impacted by allegations of sexual abuse in childcare centres. The effects of such abuse are far-reaching, with both children and parents experiencing unimaginable trauma and distress. Our team is here to offer legal support and compassionate guidance to those affected. Psychologist Katy Dib, Director & Principal Psychologist at Elysium Psychology, provided some tips for parents on how to recognise signs of distress in their child and how to respond. Understanding the signs of abuse Children who have experienced sexual abuse may display a wide range of physical, behavioural, and emotional symptoms. These signs can vary significantly depending on the child, but may include: Aside from a child’s verbal disclosure of child sexual abuse, indicators of sexual abuse can include: general trauma symptoms sexual behaviours that are inappropriate for a child’s age or developmental level a pattern of events, environment or behaviours that appears focused on keeping secrets Signs to look for Every child responds differently, but signs may include: Sudden changes in mood or behaviour Increased anxiety, nightmares, or clinginess Regressive behaviours (e.g. bedwetting, thumb-sucking) Unexplained injuries or fear of specific people Avoidance of daycare or talk of being scared there Sexualised behaviour or knowledge beyond their age If something feels “off” or out of character for your child, it’s important to trust your instincts. Always take a child’s verbal disclosure of sexual abuse seriously. A child does not need to exhibit any of the above indicators of child sexual abuse for their disclosure to be believed. When a child discloses sexual abuse, it’s an incredibly difficult moment for everyone involved. As a parent or caregiver, your support and response are critical in helping your child feel safe and heard. One of the most important things you can do is to remain as calm and steady as possible during the disclosure. We understand this can be deeply distressing, but your child is watching your reaction to help make sense of their own feelings. Strong emotional responses – such as visible anxiety, anger, panic, or disbelief – may inadvertently cause your child to feel shame, guilt, or fear that they’ve done something wrong. How to respond if a child discloses abuse Hearing your child disclose sexual abuse is incredibly difficult. Your response plays a crucial role in their path to healing. Try to remain calm and supportive, even though it may be emotionally overwhelming. What you can do: Stay calm and present – Use a soft tone and open body language to provide a sense of safety. Listen without judgment – Let them speak at their own pace without pressing for details or expressing disbelief. Thank them for telling you – Let them know they’ve done the right thing by coming to you. Reassure them – Emphasise that what happened is not their fault and that you will support them. You may also need support to navigate this distressing time. Reaching out to a support service can help you remain strong for your child. Legal options and support Every family’s situation is unique. That’s why we offer personalised legal advice based on your circumstances. You may be eligible to pursue: Individual compensation claims for children who have suffered physical or psychological harm Secondary victim claims for parents who have suffered mental injury, such as anxiety, depression or PTSD VOCAT applications, which may provide financial support, counselling, and other urgent assistance We are not currently pursuing a class action, as it may not offer the best outcome for families. Individual claims allow for greater personalisation, higher potential compensation, and faster resolution. For more information on how we can support you and what your legal options are, visit our resources: Childcare Abuse Legal support for families affected by childcare abuse Contact us We understand that this is an incredibly traumatic time and we can help ease the burden. If your family has been affected by abuse in a childcare setting, please know that you are not alone. Our experienced abuse lawyers are here to help. Call us on 1300 333 300 to speak to a lawyer today, or fill out the form below.