A child's decision to disclose sexual abuse can be incredibly difficult and requires significant courage. The way a parent or caregiver responds in those first moments can have a meaningful impact on the child's sense of safety, trust, and healing. Children benefit from calm, supportive responses that communicate belief, protection, and reassurance.

Examples of supportive statements include:

• "I believe you."

• "Thank you for telling me."

• "I'm glad you told me what happened."

• "What happened is not your fault."

• "I'm sorry this happened to you."

• "You did the right thing by telling me."

• "I am here for you, and I will support you."

• "My job is to help keep you safe."

• "I will do everything I can to protect you."

• "I am upset that this happened, but I am not upset with you."

• "Nothing you did caused this to happen."

• "You are not alone."

• "It is okay to feel whatever you are feeling right now."

• "It is okay to cry, be angry, be confused, or have questions."

• "What are you most worried about right now?"

• "How can I help you feel safe right now?"

• "Would you like to talk more about it, or would you prefer some time before we talk again?"

• "Sometimes people can have mixed feelings about someone who hurt them. It is okay to talk about those feelings."

Children may also struggle with conflicting emotions when the person who harmed them is someone they know, trust, or care about. In these situations, gentle, open-ended questions can help children explore their feelings without judgment, such as:

• "Do you have different feelings about this person right now?"

• "Is it difficult to care about someone and feel hurt or angry about what they did?"

• "Would you like to talk about those feelings with me?"

Above all, children need to know that they are believed, supported, and not responsible for the abuse. Listening calmly, avoiding judgment, and providing reassurance can help create a foundation for healing and recovery.