New CPAI Toolkit launched to strengthen survivor-centred communications across child protection
How we talk about child sexual abuse and exploitation matters.
The language we use, the stories we tell and the way we communicate about these crimes can influence public understanding, encourage victims and survivors to come forward, and help build confidence in the support available to them.
To help strengthen this approach across policing and partner agencies, the NPCC Child Protection and Abuse Investigation (CPAI) portfolio has launched a new child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) toolkit.
Developed by the Child Sexual Exploitation Taskforce, the toolkit provides practical guidance to help organisations communicate consistently, accurately and compassionately about child sexual abuse and exploitation.
At its heart is a commitment to putting victims and survivors first.
The toolkit encourages a survivor-centred approach that recognises the courage it takes to disclose abuse and reinforces the importance of treating every victim and survivor with empathy, dignity and respect. It also highlights the need for clear, trauma-informed language that reflects the seriousness of these crimes while helping to challenge misconceptions and harmful narratives.
ACC Becky Riggs, NPCC lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation, said:
"How we talk about child sexual abuse and exploitation matters. The language we use, the messages we share and the way we engage with victims and survivors can have a significant impact on confidence, understanding and trust. This toolkit provides a clear framework for ensuring our communications are evidence-based, survivor-centred and focused on protecting children. By working together across agencies and communities, we can help prevent harm, improve support for survivors and strengthen our collective response to these devastating crimes."
The toolkit is built around four core principles: belief, language, collaboration and justice.
Together, these principles aim to create a culture where victims and survivors feel heard and supported, where organisations work together effectively, and where justice is understood as more than a legal outcome alone.
For the Hydrant Programme, the launch reflects a wider commitment across policing and safeguarding partners to continually improve how we support victims and survivors. Effective communications are not simply about sharing information. They are about building trust, increasing awareness, challenging misinformation and helping people access the support they need.
The toolkit also recognises that protecting children is a shared responsibility. While policing has a critical role, lasting progress depends on collaboration between education, social care, health services, government, community organisations and the public.
By providing practical guidance and consistent messaging, the CPAI Toolkit supports a more informed, joined-up approach to preventing child sexual abuse and exploitation and improving outcomes for victims and survivors.
Download the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (CSAE) Toolkit below to learn more about the framework, guiding principles and communications resources available to support practitioners and partners.