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Narrative Nav

find the facts for thoughtful media making

Resources & Organizations
Explore the links below for a broad variety of insights surrounding CSA narratives and realities. From style guides & standards, to advocacy groups’ recommendations, you will find resources to save for later, or to dive deeper in different areas of this intersection.
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Connect Media Makers

with experts & advocacy organizations to support a change in rhetoric and framing surrounding CSA narratives in digital media.

Provide Resources

for media makers and a centralized strategy for maximizing prevention and awareness efforts across media.

Build Awareness

through responsible storytelling and education in all areas of media making, with resources like kits and style guides.

Champion Informed Storytelling

for maximum reach on all ends of the network, connecting people with the facts, figures and frames for informed content creation.

Facts, Stats & Context

Learn more about the pervasive issue of child sexual abuse & grooming

The What
+
The Why

There are many elements and manifestations of CSA, which added together under this broader label impact 1 in 10 children throughout the United States– based on cases that are reported. (*See resources for additional statistics)

Many nonprofits and advocacy groups related to CSA issues have created media kits and fact sheets for journalists and content creators to reference when handling relevant narratives, but there is a disconnect between these organizations and the storytellers. 

Like #MeToo and other social change movements or taboo topics, change in perspective, awareness and cultural shifts comes from bringing the issue into the light, and handling them with care— which comes primarily from traditional news and entertainment media, or the newer, democratized content on social media. 

As of now, the AP Style Guide is the gold-standard for news rooms and journalists, but it media landscape is changing, and one would be remise to exclude the creators taking part in an emerging, independent movement towards citizen journalism on social media; these are all groups and individuals who have different approaches to standards, and are unlikely to search for nonprofit resources, if they even realize they are handling CSA topics in the first place..

Working alongside victims and survivors who are publicly sharing their experiences of Child Sexual Abuse

Marie Collins Foundation (MCF)

"an aide memoire for professionals supporting victims or survivors who are prepared to speak openly about their experiences."

Guide

Style Guide

NIH

"The NIH Style Guide is intended for use in writing web content, fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, and other promotional materials."

Guide

NCA/CAC Style Guide

National Children's Alliance


"This style guide is intended to clarify for the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) movement and related fields National Children’s Alliance (NCA) preferred terminology and usage of language to describe child maltreatment-field specific concepts."

Guide

Safety in Seconds: Grooming and Red Flag Behavior

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"This Safety in Seconds microlearning helps adults understand grooming, recognize warning signs, and respond confidently when manipulation is suspected—an essential step in preventing abuse."

Training

A journalist’s guide on what to write — and what not to — when covering child abuse

Poynter

Preventing child abuse is a community effort. Local media needs to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Article

Media Language Reporting Guide

Lauren's Kids

"Lauren’s Kids created the at-a-glance Media Reporting Language Guide to help educate journalists about the impact language choice has on both the collective understanding of the community and on victims of abuse, with examples of language do’s and don’ts."

Guide

Media Guidance: Responsible, respectful, reporting on TechnologyAssisted Child Sexual Abuse

Marie Collins Foundation (MCF)

"Guidance for Journalists"

Guide

Mandatory reporting: what journalists get wrong when they cover child abuse, and how to get it right

Center for Journalism Ethics

"Advocates say current coverage of child abuse often misses the real story — and with it, a chance to protect children."

Article, Insight

News Summaries

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

"A daily email digest of news related to sexual violence, also viewable on line. Hosted by Google Groups."

Newsletter

Media Guide: Additional Resources for Reporters and Advocates Working with Media

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

"...guidance and tips for journalists reporting on sexual violence."

Guide

Research and Statistics

Darkness to Light (d2l)

Browse d2l's research and work

Stats, Research, Fact Sheet

Glossary

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"key terminology and definitions that pertain to child sexual abuse prevention"

Research

Get the Facts About Grooming

RAINN

"Abusers often use a tactic called “grooming” to manipulate victims before sexually abusing them. Learn to spot the signs and keep your community safer."

Fact Sheet, Stats, Research

Responsible Storytelling in Film & Television

RAINN

"Every character, every line, every scene; every interview, every appearance, every post: every aspect of creating and promoting entertainment and media can influence how audiences view survivors, trauma, and healing."

Guide

Survivor Storytelling 101

RAINN

"For many survivors, speaking out is an act of reclamation, healing, and advocacy. Learn to tell your story with confidence and clarity—and create real change."

Survivor Stories

Best Practices for Interviewing Survivors of Sexual Violence

RAINN

"Learn essential tips for interview survivors of sexual violence: building trust, navigating sensitive topics, and upholding ethical reporting standards."

Guide

Media Guide: Reporting on Sexual Violence

RAINN

"RAINN’s media guide outlines best practices for journalists covering sexual violence. Ensure accuracy and impact without sacrificing the survivor’s dignity."

Guide

Recommendations for Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"Darkness to Light has assembled the following recommendations for covering child sexual abuse to educate, change misconceptions, destigmatize, and avoid misinformation or sensationalism."

Guide

Working alongside victims and survivors who are publicly sharing their experiences of Child Sexual Abuse

Marie Collins Foundation (MCF)

"an aide memoire for professionals supporting victims or survivors who are prepared to speak openly about their experiences."

Guide

Style Guide

NIH

"The NIH Style Guide is intended for use in writing web content, fact sheets, brochures, newsletters, and other promotional materials."

Guide

NCA/CAC Style Guide

National Children's Alliance


"This style guide is intended to clarify for the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) movement and related fields National Children’s Alliance (NCA) preferred terminology and usage of language to describe child maltreatment-field specific concepts."

Guide

Safety in Seconds: Grooming and Red Flag Behavior

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"This Safety in Seconds microlearning helps adults understand grooming, recognize warning signs, and respond confidently when manipulation is suspected—an essential step in preventing abuse."

Training

A journalist’s guide on what to write — and what not to — when covering child abuse

Poynter

Preventing child abuse is a community effort. Local media needs to be part of the solution, not the problem.

Article

Media Language Reporting Guide

Lauren's Kids

"Lauren’s Kids created the at-a-glance Media Reporting Language Guide to help educate journalists about the impact language choice has on both the collective understanding of the community and on victims of abuse, with examples of language do’s and don’ts."

Guide

Media Guidance: Responsible, respectful, reporting on TechnologyAssisted Child Sexual Abuse

Marie Collins Foundation (MCF)

"Guidance for Journalists"

Guide

Mandatory reporting: what journalists get wrong when they cover child abuse, and how to get it right

Center for Journalism Ethics

"Advocates say current coverage of child abuse often misses the real story — and with it, a chance to protect children."

Article, Insight

News Summaries

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

"A daily email digest of news related to sexual violence, also viewable on line. Hosted by Google Groups."

Newsletter

Media Guide: Additional Resources for Reporters and Advocates Working with Media

National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

"...guidance and tips for journalists reporting on sexual violence."

Guide

Research and Statistics

Darkness to Light (d2l)

Browse d2l's research and work

Stats, Research, Fact Sheet

Glossary

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"key terminology and definitions that pertain to child sexual abuse prevention"

Research

Get the Facts About Grooming

RAINN

"Abusers often use a tactic called “grooming” to manipulate victims before sexually abusing them. Learn to spot the signs and keep your community safer."

Fact Sheet, Stats, Research

Responsible Storytelling in Film & Television

RAINN

"Every character, every line, every scene; every interview, every appearance, every post: every aspect of creating and promoting entertainment and media can influence how audiences view survivors, trauma, and healing."

Guide

Survivor Storytelling 101

RAINN

"For many survivors, speaking out is an act of reclamation, healing, and advocacy. Learn to tell your story with confidence and clarity—and create real change."

Survivor Stories

Best Practices for Interviewing Survivors of Sexual Violence

RAINN

"Learn essential tips for interview survivors of sexual violence: building trust, navigating sensitive topics, and upholding ethical reporting standards."

Guide

Media Guide: Reporting on Sexual Violence

RAINN

"RAINN’s media guide outlines best practices for journalists covering sexual violence. Ensure accuracy and impact without sacrificing the survivor’s dignity."

Guide

Recommendations for Reporting on Child Sexual Abuse

Darkness to Light (d2l)

"Darkness to Light has assembled the following recommendations for covering child sexual abuse to educate, change misconceptions, destigmatize, and avoid misinformation or sensationalism."

Guide

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