Purpose. While it is certain that the incidence of child abuse far exceeds the rate of disclosure, there has been no systematic way to access the hidden phenomena of abuse among youth. A national sample of 1620 evaluation forms from the RespectED program (a Canadian Red Cross abuse and violence prevention program) containing voluntary, anonymous disclosure statements were examined in order to explore patterns of hidden abuse and disclosure among Canadian youth. Employing a grounded theory approach to qualitative data analysis, results indicate complex patterns involving anonymity and engagement between youth who disclosed abuse and their formal and informal caregivers and peers. This data, combined with interviews with youth and educators, raises questions about the impact of mandatory reporting upon youth disclosures of abuse.

Method. RespectED offices in each region across Canada were asked to forward to the researchers evaluations containing disclosures for the years 2000 through 2003. In order to situate the research within the context in which the data was generated, the research team also held focus groups and individual interviews with key informants at the national level and in four regions (Atlantic, Central, Prairie, and Western). Interviews and focus groups occurred simultaneously with the analysis of the data from the evaluation forms. Finally, data collection also included observation, using non-intrusive measures, of six presentations delivered in diverse settings.

Results. Results indicate that mandatory reporting structures are only one of many pathways that youth access to disclose their experiences of abuse. Optimal conditions for disclosure of abuse by youth, according to the findings include: 1) Someone, either informally or as part of an institutional response to youth at risk, directly asking youth the important question, “What are your experiences of abuse?”; 2) Having access to someone who will listen and respond appropriately; 3) Youth possessing both the definitions of abuse and the language to describe their experiences; 4) Youth experiencing a sense of control over the process of disclosure, in particular their anonymity and confidentiality; 5) Youth possessing concrete knowledge of how to access the resources required to aid themselves and others; and 6) The effectual response of adults in both informal relationships and the formal service-delivery system tasked with keeping youth safe from harm. Findings suggest that anonymous and informal non-specific disclosures, while not replacing disclosures to professionals and their accompanying interventions, are highly valued by youth and an important step in the disclosure and reporting process. The model most often advocated by older youth, self-directed disclosure, necessarily demands that disclosure occur over a longer period of time, with an emphasis on maintaining relationships and resolving the abusive situation to everyone's satisfaction.

Implications. These findings fuel the debate as to whether mandatory reporting should be maintained or whether some change is required to the law. Clearly, if the goal is to keep children and youth safe, then mandatory reporting policies that are perceived by youth as failing them need review.