The CSA Centre estimates that half a million children are sexually abused each year, but only a small fraction come to the attention of statutory authorities. In fact, surveys carried out in the UK have found that friends and acquaintances of the child or family member are most frequently cited by victims and survivors as the person who abused them.
All professionals working with children need to be able to identify and respond to concerns of child sexual abuse, especially in a home setting. Whilst it is possible for all victims and survivors of intra-familial child sexual abuse to recover from their abuse, research suggests that abuse by a family member can be serious and chronic. Evidence suggests the impact of this is best mitigated when supported by professionals who show care and compassion, facilitate choice, control and safety, and are trained to best support them and their wider families.
Intra-familial child sexual abuse is a one-day in-person course designed for all professionals working in collaboration with other agencies, to provide an overview of the key issues to support them in identifying and responding to cases of intra familial child sexual abuse.
Who is this course for?
This course is for all professionals working with children, young people and/or their parents or carers. This may include roles across education, health, children’s social care, youth offending, prisons, probation, police, adoption services, fostering services who work as part of a multi-agency arrangement or safeguarding partnership.
Who will run the course?
This course will be led by two expert trainers with significant experience in practice, training, and working within multi-agency safeguarding arrangements.
What can you expect to gain?
Following the course, you can expect to have a better understanding of:
- The scale and nature of child sexual abuse.
- How the impact of child sexual abuse presents in children and young people.
- How children may communicate their experiences of sexual abuse and the professional role in helping them do this.
- How and why sexual abuse happens in families.
This course will give you a greater confidence in responding to concerns of intra-familial child sexual abuse and will also improve your ability to identify the potential signs and indicators of sexual abuse.