What are the stages of a Child Disclosure?

The stages of a Child Disclosure are crucial for understanding how children communicate experiences, especially in sensitive contexts such as abuse or trauma. The correct sequence—Denial, Tentative, Active, Recanting, and Reaffirming—reflects the psychological journey a child may undergo when disclosing information about distressing experiences.

In the denial stage, a child might initially refuse to acknowledge or disclose the trauma due to fear, confusion, or a lack of understanding. As they begin to process their feelings, they move into the tentative stage, where they may start to consider sharing their experiences but do not yet do so openly. The active stage is where the child feels secure enough to disclose the details of their experiences. This is a significant turning point in the disclosure process.

The recanting stage can occur if a child feels pressured or afraid after making a disclosure, leading them to retract their statements. Finally, the reaffirming stage happens when the child decides to stand by their original disclosure, often after receiving support and validation from trusted adults. Understanding these stages is vital for professionals working with children, allowing them to provide appropriate support and create an environment conducive to open communication.

Other options, while they address important aspects of child welfare and intervention processes, do not