Child sexual abuse has been particularly prominent in the public discourse recently, with multiple high-profile cases, reviews and inquiries shining a spotlight on the scale of abuse taking place across the country.
At the CSA Centre, we conservatively estimate that more than 500,000 children experience some form of child sexual abuse every year in England and Wales, so this heightened profile is hugely important – not just in raising awareness and understanding, but in highlighting a type of abuse that many people would rather not think about.
Sadly, these reviews have also highlighted significant gaps in the response that children receive from services.
Our latest research shows that the number of child protection plans for sexual abuse is now at a 14-year low of just 2,290, following years of decline.
Our recent publication, ‘Support matters: briefing for policymakers, funders and commissioners’, found that, even with identification at such low levels, waiting times for children to access support services following sexual abuse have more than doubled since 2015.
That said, we’ve found that a little help for the children’s workforce can go a long way in improving responses for children and families.
As local councillors, you have a key role to play by actively interrogating your local data and asking how well your council is identifying sexual abuse and supporting the workforce to respond effectively.
For example:
How does your local data on identification of child sexual abuse compare with your statistical neighbours?
Consider metrics like the number of social work assessments identifying sexual abuse as a concern, or the number of offences reported to the police.
What support services are available locally, both for children and for adult survivors of sexual abuse?
You might want to direct local commissioners to our recent ‘Support matters’ briefing paper, which summarises key information to help drive more effective commissioning of these services.
What tools and resources are available locally to support social workers to identify and respond to concerns of sexual abuse with confidence?
We have a range of free practice resources on our website, covering everything from identifying signs and indicators to communicating with children about sexual abuse; guidance on more specific issues, like sibling sexual abuse and supporting families following online offending; and tailored resources for schools.
What training do social workers, managers, teachers and others receive?
We know that very little child sexual abuse content is currently included in pre-qualification training, leaving many people entering the workforce lacking the knowledge and confidence to act.
We offer a free e-learning course on sexual abuse in family settings, alongside more in-depth training on a wide range of topics.
How effective is local partnership work in response to child sexual abuse?
Our new ‘Child Sexual Abuse Response Pathway’ is an interactive online resource that guides professionals through the ways they can work together to protect and support children and their families. We’re holding free workshops for any area wanting to find out more.
We understand that tackling child sexual abuse can feel complex and daunting, but timely interventions and good-quality support can make a huge difference to children and families.
The role of local councillors and other leaders is central in ensuring that local responses are fit for purpose, and in driving forward improved practice.
With guidance, research, training and resources – most of it free – the CSA Centre is ready to support this work however we can.
To find out more about the work of the CSA Centre and access free training and resources, please visit www.csacentre.org.uk or email [email protected]