Adults who Disclose Non Recent Abuse

Child abuse may relate to physical, sexual or emotional abuse or neglect and may have occurred at any point during the adult's childhood; there is no time limit on reporting these offences.

Child sexual abuse is prevalent, with 7.5% of adults aged 18–74 years having reported experiencing child sexual abuse in England and Wales before the age of 16 (Office for National Statistics, 2020). Experiencing child sexual abuse can have various short and long-term impacts, including physical and mental health problems, socio-economic issues, effects on relationships, religious/spiritual impacts, and vulnerability to re-victimisation (Fisher et al., 2017). To cope with these, victims and survivors may need the help of statutory and voluntary support services.

An alleged perpetrator may continue to present a risk to children, and if the information is not shared, there is potential for children to remain at risk of harm and further abuse. It may also be the case that there are other victims. It is not always obvious when an original complaint is made that a single allegation may become part of a complex child abuse investigation.

Non-recent abuse disclosures may involve allegations regarding deceased perpetrators. High profile cases have highlighted the need to take these allegations seriously because perpetrator may have abused multiple victims.

Practitioners should discuss with and inform the adult of the following:

• Information may need to be shared: Explain that some information may need to be shared without consent to prevent further abuse. This is in line with current information sharing protocols and is particularly relevant to those in a therapeutic role;
• Reassure the adult that any report of abuse will be treated seriously;
• Try to avoid asking leading questions or specific detail about the abuse;
• Where the adult speaks in detail about the abuse, let them finish telling their story and  accurately record what is said.

The practitioner should gather the following information where possible:

• What has been disclosed and by whom;
• When the abuse occurred and over what period;
• Where the abuse took place and any other victims;
• The name of the alleged perpetrator. If the adult does not name the alleged perpetrator, try to establish the relationship e.g. family member, teacher;
• Whether the alleged perpetrator is still alive, where they may have lived/or are living;
• Whether the alleged perpetrator is known to be in contact with children currently and the identity of any child who may be at risk, if known.

The practitioner should also discuss the matter with their manager and safeguarding lead in their organisation.

Where the alleged perpetrator is alive and is known or suspected to have contact with children the following referrals should be made without delay:

• Police via 101;
• Social care in the area the alleged perpetrator is currently residing;
• Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) where the alleged perpetrator is working with children in a position of responsibility, authority or trust, either paid or in a voluntary capacity.

Where the alleged perpetrator is deceased or is living and has not had contact with children:

• Refer to police via 101 because the police need to be informed of the non-recent abuse.

Police Officers at Central Referral Unit / Starting Point / MASH will manage the referral in one of the following ways:

• Where there is a known child at current risk – a Section 47 (see Child Protection Section 47 Enquiries Procedure) investigation will be needed;
• Where the alleged perpetrator is or was a professional follow the Allegations Against Staff, Carers and Volunteers Procedure);
• Where there are several unrelated children and/or more than one alledged perpetrator follow the – Investigating Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse Procedure;
• Where it is believed that children may be currently at risk but their identity is unknown there should be a strategy discussion/meeting with Social Care, Police and Health see Child Protection Section 47 Enquiries Procedure, Strategy Discussions / Meetings);
• A criminal investigation may be needed.

Where the adult making the disclosure is considered to be an Adult at Risk, make a referral, where appropriate to:

• Adult Social Care;
• Adult Mental Health Services; and/or
• Local voluntary sector services for survivors support.

Police, Children's Social Care and the referring agency should agree who informs the adult of progress, where possible and appropriate, because they may have real anxieties about the consequences of their disclosure and concerns for their personal safety.

Where the decision is not to investigate there may be other avenues that the adult survivor may wish to explore, see Practice Guidance for management of survivors of non-recent abuse in childhood and Talking about non-recent abuse - Leaflet (Documents Library).