Disclosures by children of child sexual violence following sexuality education

Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) is a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services to people in Queensland. In the 2004 –2005 year FPQ provided education services to nearly 45 000 young people and over 11 000 professionals. When evaluating FPQ school sexuality education programs it has been noted that there has not only been an increase in knowledge regarding sexuality, sexual health and sexual activity but also a perceived increased confidence by participants in communicating about experiences of childhood sexual assault.

In 2005 FPQ received 68 recorded disclosures by children and young people of alleged sexual assault following a sexuality education program. This paper will discuss the issue of disclosure, outline why children may be prompted to disclose and present the findings of an evaluation of the disclosures made by children regarding child sexual violence following sexuality education in schools. It will also list practical strategies for helping educators who teach sexuality education to young people.
This paper will

• present the findings of the evaluation 
• investigate the benefits and risks of disclosure for both the student and educator
• ask what guidelines regarding disclosure could look like when conducting sexuality education in schools
• explore support strategies for educators.

As sexual health professionals providing education to young people questions arise relating to the ethics of potentially prompting disclosures of abuse by children and young people accessing sexuality education. When program goals are stated as increased knowledge, skill development and behavioural change regarding sexual health it is also essential that practitioners make explicit our understanding and goals regarding the issue of disclosure.