Child Sexual Abuse

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Child Sexual Abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

What should I do if I have concerns about Child Sexual Abuse?

If you are concerned about Child Sexual Abuse you can find more information in the Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Procedures. Always discuss your concerns with the senior person in your organisation who is responsible for safeguarding and child protection. If you are a young person, parent or carer, you can contact Children's Social Care to discuss your concerns.

Training

The DDSCP multi-agency training programme includes courses about Child Sexual Abuse.

Non-recent abuse

• A Derbyshire and Derby City Strategy for the management of survivors of non-recent abuse in childhood has been developed to provide a framework for the safeguarding partnership across Derby and Derbyshire to follow in situations where a person makes an allegation of non-recent childhood abuse. 
• Derbyshire and Derby City practice guidance for management of survivors of non-recent abuse in childhood  has been developed to provide a framework for the safeguarding partnership across Derby and Derbyshire to follow in situations where a person makes an allegation of non-recent childhood abuse. 

Resources

Learning from reviews: Working with Complex Features including Child Sexual Abuse - A number of serious case reviews were carried out to understand the lived experiences of children living in different unconnected families in Derby and consider in detail multi-agency practice over a number of years. A learning report summarises the findings whilst safeguarding the identity of the children in the families. The Derby and Derbyshire Safeguarding Children Partnership is publishing the learning report on behalf of the Derby Safeguarding Children Board. 

DDSCP Learning Review on Child Sexual Abuse within the Family - The DDSCP co-ordinated a multi-agency learning review to look at multi-agency practice where allegations have been made that a family member abused a child within the family. Please refer to Intra-Familial Child Sexual Abuse - what you need to know.  

Sexual Abuse in Schools - The DDSCP have published a briefing note about the actions the government is taking to review sexual abuse in schools. See DDSCP Briefing Note: Government review into sexual abuse in schools

SV2 - supporting victims of of sexual violence - Offers support to anyone affected by sexual abuse in Derby and Derbyshire. They work to support, inform, protect and empower people through advocacy and therapy.  

NSPCC - The NSPCC collect national statistics about Child Sexual Abuse that show the numbers of children and young people who have reported abuse and have resources for professionals.

• The Underwear Rule - resources from the NSPCC - teach your child the Underwear Rule and help protect them from abuse. It's a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex.
• Preventing child sexual abuse film - explores the steps we can take to keep children safe by thinking through the potential risks in children's daily lives and taking action to protect them. 
• Making a Noise - The NSPCC and University of Bedfordshire have published a report looking at children's experiences of help seeking and support after sexual abuse in the family. They have also released a short animation to help practitioners gain insight into the feelings and perspectives of affected children.

One in Four is a national charity run for those who have experience of childhood sexual abuse. It helps survivors of child sexual abuse work through the trauma of their abuse and to help individuals and their families to rebuild their lives and reintegrate into their communities. One in Four also offer specialist professional training.

The Children's Commissioner for England - Protecting Children from Harm - outlines the findings of the first phase of her inquiry into child sexual abuse in the family environment. Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: the role of schools - investigates the provision of school based education programmes relating to preventing child sexual abuse. 

Brook - Brook is a national charity specialising in working with young people to promote their sexual health in the wider context of health and wellbeing. They provide a range of services for young people and professionals, including useful resources such as the sexual behaviours traffic light tool.