Ending the silence around child sexual abuse (CSA) starts with changing how we talk about it.
At Change the Conversation, we believe that language can be a powerful tool for creating environments of safety and support. When talking about CSA, it’s important to actively choose vocabulary and language that supports survivors, dispels myths, and helps to prevent abuse.
This guide exists because abuse thrives in silence. When we use outdated, harmful, or inaccurate language, we perpetuate the shame and stigma that keep survivors isolated and prevent communities from taking action to fight CSA. By changing our words, we can literally change the conversation around child sexual abuse.