Concerns could be raised in a variety of ways: 

• A child could come forward themselves, or they may come forward with concerns about another child. 
• An adult at risk could come forward themselves. 
• Someone acting on behalf of a child or adult at risk may come forward to report that they have concerns, or that concerns have been raised with them.  This may include people with parental/caring responsibilities, employees/workers/students, or a member of the public. 
• A child or adult at risk’s behaviours may indicate harm/abuse/breach of policies and/or procedures. 
• An employee/worker/student may have concerns about the behaviour of children/colleagues/others that makes them feel uncomfortable. 

If a child makes a disclosure, it may not be made in a straightforward way.  They may:

• Behave in a way that suggests something is wrong e.g. sexualised behaviour - they may not know they are doing this. 
• Write letters or draw pictures.
• Make jokes.
• Post content on social media. 
• Role-play.
• Be clingy with a person they trust.  
• Create a drama.
• Be aggressive.  
• Be inappropriate with other children. 
• Suggest the abuse is happening to a third party or an imaginary friend.

Children and adults at risk may find it difficult to make a disclosure for a number of reasons: 

• An adult didn’t notice or action previous attempts at disclosure. 
• They are afraid. 
• They have been threatened.
• The do not recognise they are being abused. 
• They do not think they will be believed or taken seriously. 
• They are protecting the abuser and/or their family. 
• They are ashamed, embarrassed or feel guilty.