Aim: The aim of this study is to find a deeper understanding of how children who are exposed to child abuse cope and how it affect the contact between them and the public authority. Method: It is a qualitative study and the autobiographies are analyzed with a hermeneutic science theory. Result: The study shows that the children we have learned about through their autobiographies has different kinds of coping strategies in the contact with the public authority. The coping strategies has been helpful for them to handle what they have been exposed to and also from their perspective been helpful to control their situations. The coping strategy that has been the most visible is the emotional focused strategy which is determined of guilt, shame and fear. The emotional focused strategy brought avoidance to talk about their situation with the public authority to be able to stay in control over their situation. The shame and guilt is also a part why the children choose to avoid talking about what they are exposed to. The fear of losing control over the situation is the most visible reason why they would not talk to the public authority even though their childhood was striked with serious abuse and a great fear of not knowing what would happen if the public authority got involved which would result in the feeling of losing control. Conclusion: The children's coping strategies has made an impact on the relations between them and the public authority and has been an conductive variable to the public authorities lack of action. As a social worker it is in greatest interest to be aware of which coping strategies can figure in matters of child abuse.