An investigation has not been pursued or has not resulted in a conviction
This section is intended to provide guidance on speaking to children whose sexual abuse has been reported but was not pursued down the criminal justice route or was pursued but did not result in a conviction.
What is the purpose of your discussion?
At this stage the purpose of your conversations with a child will be to offer reassurance and continued support. Under these circumstances there is often a tendency for professionals to believe that a lack of conviction means the child did not experience sexual abuse. However, this is very rarely the case and it is important that we maintain our stance of belief throughout our work with the child.
The investigation is just one part of the child’s experience and should not influence the support we offer to the child.
What can I say to the child?
Unfortunately, a significant number of criminal investigations do not progress to a conviction. Under these circumstances, the child will need to be reassured that it is not their fault the investigation has not concluded with conviction or clear responsibility being placed on the person who was reported to have abused them. Often such outcomes can leave children and young people feeling they haven’t been believed and doubting that adults around them can be trusted to protect or keep them safe. This is a time when the child needs consistency, reliability and reassurance. (link to understanding court processes resource https://www.youandco.org.uk/going-court)
Talking to parents / carers
In situations where a criminal investigation does not end in a conviction, parents and carers may experience a range of emotions, many of which can be challenging for the child. Some parents will take this as ‘evidence’ that abuse did not happen, a position that can be extremely traumatic for the child involved. It is important to help parents understand why an investigations has closed and that this does not prove the abuse didn’t happen, rather that there wasn’t enough evidence for a criminal prosecution. This is particularly important because there may be continued risks which children need to be protected from.
Non-abusing parents may experience confusion at this time, especially if the person who is alleged to have abused the child was a family member or friend. They may question their own judgement or decision making and may start to question what their child has said. This may create tensions in relationships which are likely to be distressing for the child. It will be important to listen to parents whilst supporting them to remember how important it is that they believe their child.
This section is intended to provide guidance on speaking to children whose sexual abuse has been reported but was not pursued down the criminal justice route or was pursued but did not result in a conviction.
What is the purpose of your discussion?
At this stage the purpose of your conversations with a child will be to offer reassurance and continued support. Under these circumstances there is often a tendency for professionals to believe that a lack of conviction means the child did not experience sexual abuse. However, this is very rarely the case and it is important that we maintain our stance of belief throughout our work with the child.
The investigation is just one part of the child’s experience and should not influence the support we offer to the child.
What can I say to the child?
Unfortunately, a significant number of criminal investigations do not progress to a conviction. Under these circumstances, the child will need to be reassured that it is not their fault the investigation has not concluded with conviction or clear responsibility being placed on the person who was reported to have abused them. Often such outcomes can leave children and young people feeling they haven’t been believed and doubting that adults around them can be trusted to protect or keep them safe. This is a time when the child needs consistency, reliability and reassurance. (link to understanding court processes resource https://www.youandco.org.uk/going-court)
- How are you?
- How are you feeling?
- How are you sleeping?
- How are you eating?
- Is there anything I can do to help?
- Is there anything you need?
Talking to parents / carers
In situations where a criminal investigation does not end in a conviction, parents and carers may experience a range of emotions, many of which can be challenging for the child. Some parents will take this as ‘evidence’ that abuse did not happen, a position that can be extremely traumatic for the child involved. It is important to help parents understand why an investigations has closed and that this does not prove the abuse didn’t happen, rather that there wasn’t enough evidence for a criminal prosecution. This is particularly important because there may be continued risks which children need to be protected from.
Non-abusing parents may experience confusion at this time, especially if the person who is alleged to have abused the child was a family member or friend. They may question their own judgement or decision making and may start to question what their child has said. This may create tensions in relationships which are likely to be distressing for the child. It will be important to listen to parents whilst supporting them to remember how important it is that they believe their child.
Reflection Point
We know that there is often a tendency for professionals to think that a lack of conviction means the abuse may not have happened.
Think about how you are feeling now, is this something that you are wondering? Do you need to seek supervision to think through any thoughts or concerns you may have?