Protecting children from sexual abuse
We have become more aware of child sexual abuse due to media coverage and often hear stories about children who are abused or exploited.
Often the abuser is someone known to the parents or carer and a person in a position of trust and responsibility.
An abuser may be someone close to the parent and unlikely to be seen as a suspect, such as a partner, friend or relative.
Abusers can be extremely skilled at gaining trust and manipulating their way into the lives of children and their parents or carers.
If an adult or young person displays one or more of the following signs around your child, your child may be at risk:
Gives unwanted physical attention to a child
Is controlling with a child
Intrudes upon a child’s privacy or personal space
Insists on separating mother and child
Uses inappropriate language with a child
Bullies a child
Shows an inappropriate interest in the sexual development of a child or teenager
Initiates overnight stays without parents or carers present
Gives a child money or buy them gifts for no reason
Makes excuses to spend time with a particular child or show favouritism
Some children will find it very difficult to disclose that they have been abused and are more likely to show signs of abuse in their behaviour.
In order to protect children from abusers we must speak to them about sexual abuse and encourage them to speak to us or ask questions about sexual behaviours they may have concerns about.
We need to be aware of potential risk, indicators of abuse and how to deal with disclosures.
- Reluctance to go around particular people or places
- Nightmares, sleeping problems, bed wetting
- Signs of sexualised behaviours with toys or objects
- Being secretive or outbursts of anger
- Seeming unsettled at home
- Fear of being touched
- Becoming withdrawn or fearful of being left alone
- Signs of self-harm (cutting, pulling hair)
- Changes in eating behaviours
- Signs of low self esteem
- Physical signs (unexplained soreness, bruising, sexually transmitted infections)
- Becoming depressed, low mood
- Not attending school or going missing
- Self-harming behaviours
- Developing eating problems
- Alcohol or drug abuse
- Reduced contact with family, friends or professionals
- Being sighted in unusual places
- Becoming secretive about friends or money
- Unexplained healthcare appointments
Teach your children the underwear rule
The underwear rule is part of the NSPCC’s Talk PANTS campaign. It is designed to help children understand their body and privacy.
The campaign also helps parents to keep their children safe from sexual abuse. For more information visit: nspcc.org.uk/underwearrule
Learn about Talk PANTS with Pantosaurus in his video.
Show this video to your child and learn the song together to remember the underwear rule.
Watch the other NSPCC video for tips from parents on how to start the Talk PANTS conversation with your child.
If you are reading this and feel concerned about a child we have included telephone numbers of both local and national agencies and some websites that may be helpful.
Please contact us directly if you have any questions or require our support.
WeStand (National helpline for non-abusing parents/carers of sexually abused children) 0800 980 1958
Thinkuknow (Advice and information for Young people/carers and teachers around keeping safe on the internet)
Child Exploitation & Online Protection Centre (CEOP)
NSPCC (National Association for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) 0808 800 5000
Respond (specialist support for abused children with learning disabilities) 0845 606 1503
You&Co (Victim Support’s youth programme offering information on your rights as a young victim and witness and also information about the court process)
Parents protect (offering a wealth of knowledge, advice, support and facts for parents and carers around protecting children from sexual abuse) 0808 1000 900
Parentline (helpline for parents/carers) 0808 800 2222
Stop it now (Child sexual abuse prevention campaign) 0808 1000 900
Samaritans (24hr emotional support line) 08457 90 90 90
Young Minds Parents Helpline (Online and telephone support, including advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person)
Child Exploitation: The more you know the more you see
National Association for People Abused in Childhood 0800 0853330
CAMHS (Child Adolescent Mental Health Service) 01928 568162
At RASASC we offer a counselling and ISVA support service to children and young people up to the age of 18 who have been affected either directly or indirectly by sexual violence/abuse.
Our qualified children’s therapists provide trauma-focused CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) to children and young people. For more information click HERE to see our children and young people’s counselling page.
Our CHISVA’s (Child Independent Sexual Violence Advocate) offer practical advice and guidance through reporting sexual violence. CHISVA’s make sure that the young person’s voice is heard and their wishes are considered throughout the criminal justice process and to make sure they feel prepared should their case go to court. For more information click HERE.
This FREE self-paced course is for those who play pivotal roles in supporting children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse.
You can access this programme at any time via our ‘self help online support programme page‘ – click HERE.
Children’s Calm Care Pack
It can be hard to know how best to help your child when you see them struggling with strong feelings and difficult experiences. These resources are healthy coping strategies for you to teach your child so they can start to use them in their everyday life, to help them with their trauma recovery.
Young Person Stabilisation Care Pack
Trauma can cause strong feelings and difficult experiences. It can take time and support for your child to be able to recover. But there are things they can try that might help, but they must be ready to want to give them a go. This pack includes healthy coping strategies for your teenage child to incorporate into their everyday life, to help cope with difficult feelings in the moment.
