the resource project

For Parents

You are here. That matters more than you may realize.

Research consistently tells us that one of the most damaging experiences a survivor of childhood sexual abuse can face is not being believed – particularly by the person they trust most. A May 2025 study confirmed that children's disclosures are frequently met with "disbelief, denial, and minimization," and that this response, even when born from shock rather than intention, can cause lasting harm that compounds the original trauma.

You are not that parent. You are reading this because you believe your child, and you want to know what to do next. That act alone – that choice to believe – is the single most protective thing you can do. Research on survivor outcomes consistently shows that a believing, supportive parent is one of the strongest predictors of long-term recovery. You are not just a bystander to your child's healing. You are, in many ways, its foundation.

In Canada, only one adult in ten who experienced childhood sexual abuse reports having had any contact with child protection services. The vast majority of disclosures are managed entirely within the private sphere – which means parents like you carry an enormous weight, often without any roadmap. This guide is that roadmap. It is organized from the immediate to the long-term, and it draws on the best available Canadian, and international evidence to give you clear, actionable guidance at every stage.

You are not alone in this. And your child is fortunate to have you.