Skip to content.

Young people’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviours

Exploring what young people in Together for Childhood know, think and do about child abuse

Publication date April 2024

Together for Childhood is an evidence-informed place-based approach, bringing local partners and families together to make communities safer for children. As part of this, Together for Childhood works with children and young people to educate them about what child abuse is and where they can go for help and support if they need it.

The research used surveys and focus groups with young people aged 12–14 from the four Together for Childhood sites in Grimsby, Glasgow, Plymouth and Stoke-on-Trent to find out what they know, think, and would do about child abuse. The aim was to hear what they had to say and to explore how that learning could be used to benefit other young people.

The surveys collected data from 1,325 young people across seven schools. The focus groups were made up of 42 young people across five schools and one youth group. These groups helped us to understand more about young people’s perspectives on child abuse.

The main report sets out the overarching results of the research across all four sites. To highlight local learning, four local research briefs have been created to summarise key findings specific to each site. An animation has also been developed to share the messages with young people in an appropriate and meaningful way.

Authors: Alice Dutton and Kandazi Sisya

Exploring what young people in Together for Childhood know, think, and do about child abuse
Download the report (PDF)

Key findings

Young people know more about physical, sexual and online abuse than other forms of child abuse and neglect

Young people reported that they had enough knowledge about physical abuse, sexual abuse and online abuse. But they were less knowledgeable about emotional abuse, domestic abuse, neglect and how to spot the signs of an abusive relationship.

Young people sometimes think they are to blame for child abuse

Although young people are never to blame for child abuse, the research indicated that young people sometimes felt a sense of responsibility for some forms of child abuse and neglect. This can lead to victim blaming and shame, which may act as a barrier to sharing concerns.

Young people’s responses to child abuse varied depending on the context and type of abuse

Young people were more likely to share a concern about sexual abuse than one related to other forms of child abuse or neglect. Children also reported being more likely to seek help when there is a risk of physical harm than when there is a risk of emotional harm.

Young people face challenges when seeking help about abuse and related topics

Young people are most likely to share concerns with a parent or carer, another adult family member, or a friend. However, some young people may not seek help and support about child abuse as they have worries about not being believed, not having enough proof about what happened and are afraid of what might happen after sharing concerns.

Recommendations

Using a common language

Adults should consider how they describe and define child abuse when talking to young people and should work to develop an agreed common language with them.

Working to understand beliefs around abuse and prevention

Young people’s personal beliefs and social norms may influence how they view potentially harmful situations and respond to abuse. Adults and professionals need to understand what underpins these beliefs and social norms as this is important for creating sustainable shifts in society.

Supporting parents and carers, family, and friends

Parents and carers, other family members and friends should be supported to make sure they have the skills and confidence to respond appropriately when young people share concerns.

“…they might be scared that they’re going to get shamed for sending those photos in the first place because it’s the same with a lot of types of crimes, a lot of people ask, ‘Why did you do it? Why didn’t you do that? Why were you wearing that?’ That type of stuff.”

Young person discussing victim blaming in Plymouth focus group

Citation

Please cite as: Dutton, A. and Sisya, K. (2024) Exploring what young people in Together for Childhood know, think, and do about child abuse. London: NSPCC.

Animation

A short animation for young people outlining the key findings the research.

Local research briefs

One-page summaries of the key findings specific to each of the four Together for Childhood sites.

Grimsby Together for Childhood research brief
Download the research brief (PDF)
Glasgow Together for Childhood research brief
Download the research brief (PDF)
Plymouth Together for Childhood research brief
Download the research brief (PDF)
Stoke-on-Trent Together for Childhood research brief
Download the research brief (PDF)