Why such a resource?
Prevalence studies for England and Wales suggest that some 15% of girls and 5% of boys experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16[1]. However, sexual abuse is a hidden crime and many of those who experience it do not report their experiences for a number of years, if at all. In fact, we believe that only around 1 in 8 cases of child sexual abuse reach the attention of statutory services, which means far more children are being sexually abused than we are currently identifying or safeguarding[2].
The professional response to child sexual abuse to-date has often been to wait for a child to tell a professional what is happening for them and feeling there is nothing that can be done until they do. This is a problem as it places the responsibility, to stop sexual abuse, on the child.
While there are many obstacles which get in the way of children telling about sexual abuse (link to what stops children telling) it is clear that professionals who work with children, lack sufficient knowledge, skills and confidence needed to identify and respond effectively to them. Sexual abuse can be difficult to think about and talk about; it can feel complex, emotional and even a bit scary. You might worry about ‘getting it wrong’, having to have difficult conversations, ‘opening a can of worms’, and not knowing what to say or how to respond.
You might also worry about ‘contaminating evidence’ – saying the wrong thing to a child by asking a ‘leading’ question (link to Childrens memory) which may jeopardise a criminal trial. However, it is important to recognise that there are many ways in which you can talk to a child without fear of jeopardising a criminal trial. Unfortunately, the available national and local guidance can be confusing, with mixed messages about what you can and cannot say to children. The majority of cases where sexual abuse is investigated do not proceed through the criminal justice route, and while this in itself needs addressing, it is important to remember that your priority as child care professionals is that the “safety of the child is paramount” (Children Act ,1989). The fear of getting it wrong can prevent you from asking children anything at all:
Research with children, young people and adults tells us that they need ‘help to tell’[3] and yet many professionals working with children are frightened to ask.
This resource aims to address this issue by providing some key knowledge to help you understand what may be going on for children when they are being sexually abused; what prevents children from telling; and, importantly, what you can do to help children tell you what is happening. You are, after all, as integral to the process as the child themselves.
Prevalence studies for England and Wales suggest that some 15% of girls and 5% of boys experience some form of sexual abuse before the age of 16[1]. However, sexual abuse is a hidden crime and many of those who experience it do not report their experiences for a number of years, if at all. In fact, we believe that only around 1 in 8 cases of child sexual abuse reach the attention of statutory services, which means far more children are being sexually abused than we are currently identifying or safeguarding[2].
The professional response to child sexual abuse to-date has often been to wait for a child to tell a professional what is happening for them and feeling there is nothing that can be done until they do. This is a problem as it places the responsibility, to stop sexual abuse, on the child.
While there are many obstacles which get in the way of children telling about sexual abuse (link to what stops children telling) it is clear that professionals who work with children, lack sufficient knowledge, skills and confidence needed to identify and respond effectively to them. Sexual abuse can be difficult to think about and talk about; it can feel complex, emotional and even a bit scary. You might worry about ‘getting it wrong’, having to have difficult conversations, ‘opening a can of worms’, and not knowing what to say or how to respond.
You might also worry about ‘contaminating evidence’ – saying the wrong thing to a child by asking a ‘leading’ question (link to Childrens memory) which may jeopardise a criminal trial. However, it is important to recognise that there are many ways in which you can talk to a child without fear of jeopardising a criminal trial. Unfortunately, the available national and local guidance can be confusing, with mixed messages about what you can and cannot say to children. The majority of cases where sexual abuse is investigated do not proceed through the criminal justice route, and while this in itself needs addressing, it is important to remember that your priority as child care professionals is that the “safety of the child is paramount” (Children Act ,1989). The fear of getting it wrong can prevent you from asking children anything at all:
Research with children, young people and adults tells us that they need ‘help to tell’[3] and yet many professionals working with children are frightened to ask.
This resource aims to address this issue by providing some key knowledge to help you understand what may be going on for children when they are being sexually abused; what prevents children from telling; and, importantly, what you can do to help children tell you what is happening. You are, after all, as integral to the process as the child themselves.