08/25/2026
It's a fair question — but it misunderstands how disclosure works. Most children don't tell right away, and many don't tell at all as children. Why?
🔹 The abuser is usually someone they trust
🔹 They may not have the words to explain it
🔹 Shame and self-blame run deep
🔹 They may have been threatened
🔹 Disclosure is a process — kids often test the waters before saying more
How we respond in that first moment matters. Stay calm. Believe them. Don't press for details. Connect them with trained professionals.
At Two Rivers United Child Advocacy Center, our forensic interviewers create a safe space for kids to share at their own pace. Believing them is the first step. 💛
Know the law, too:
📍 Idaho — No criminal statute of limitations for child s*xual abuse. Civil claims can be filed until age 23, sometimes later under the discovery rule.
📍 Washington — No criminal statute of limitations for most serious child s*x abuse crimes.
