Sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that can have a profound impact on the lives of those who have suffered through it. For looked after children, the experience can be even more complex and devastating, leaving them feeling isolated and in need of support and care. In this article, we will explore the resources and support available to looked after children who have suffered from sexual abuse.

Understanding the Impact of Sexual Abuse for Looked After Children

Sexual abuse can have a profound impact on the mental, physical and emotional well-being of those who have suffered through it. For looked after children, the experience can be particularly traumatic as they may feel a lack of control and security in their lives. They may also struggle with feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame, which can contribute to the development of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Accessing Support for Looked After Children who have suffered from Sexual Abuse

It is important for looked after children who have suffered from sexual abuse to access support as soon as possible to help them heal and recover. The following are some of the key resources and support available:

Therapeutic Support

Therapy can provide a safe and supportive environment for looked after children to talk about their experiences and work through their feelings. A therapist can also help children develop coping skills and build resilience, which can be critical in helping them overcome the impact of the abuse.

Advocacy Services

Advocacy services can provide looked after children with a voice and support them in navigating the legal and social systems. They can also help children understand their rights and access the resources and support they need.

Support Groups

Support groups can provide a community of people who understand the experiences of looked after children who have suffered from sexual abuse. These groups can offer a safe space for children to connect, share their experiences and support each other through the healing process.

Residential Care and Foster Care

Residential care and foster care can provide a safe and stable environment children who have suffered from sexual abuse. These services can help children to rebuild their lives, develop healthy relationships, and feel supported and cared for.

Resources And Organisations For Looked After Children who have suffered from Sexual Abuse

Organisations that can help with sexual abuse

There are several organizations in the UK that offer support and resources to looked after children who have suffered from sexual abuse. Some of these include:

1. Helping Survivors: is part of a growing movement of concerned citizens, survivors, and professionals working to ensure the right of every person to build a life free from the devastating consequences of sexual assault and abuse. And was founded in 2022 by a group of people who are dedicated to ending sexual assault

2. NSPCC: The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) provides a helpline for children who have suffered from sexual abuse, as well as support for those affected and resources for those who care for them.

3. Barnardo’s: Barnardo’s is a charity that works with children who have experienced sexual abuse, providing counselling and therapy services, as well as practical and emotional support.

4. The Children’s Society: The Children’s Society provides support and resources for children who have suffered from sexual abuse, including counselling and therapy services, as well as practical support and advocacy.

5. Childline: Childline is a confidential helpline for children and young people in the UK. It provides support and advice on a range of issues, including sexual abuse.

6. Rape Crisis: Rape Crisis is a charity that provides support and resources for women and girls who have experienced sexual violence, including abuse.

Looked After Child Sexual Abuse Resources

NSPCC

NSPCC Child Abuse Advice and Support Website

Finding out your child has been sexually abused can be distressing and you might not know what to do next. We’re here to support you and your loved ones and give you the advice you need to help navigate through a difficult time.

Visit The Website

NSPCC Learning Protecting children from sexual abuse

A Learning Resource for parents and practitioners

Visit the website

Crimestoppers

Crimestoppers Educational Resource For Child Sexual Exploitation

provides a range of exercises that relate to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE). The exercises have been created to help young people understand this topic and behaviour that might put them at risk – as well as how to stay safe, and report anything they’re concerned about.

Click here to view / download resource

Goulburn Valley Centre Against Sexual Assault

Wise up to sexual abuse: A guide for parents & carers

The Wise Up booklet aims to educate parents and carers to become aware of the signs of child sexual abuse in order to:

• Identify risky situations
• Know how to respond to children’s disclosures
• Know who to report concerns to (replace the contact details in the booklet by appropriate contact details from your country).

Click here to view/download

Safe And Sound Group

Teen relationship abuse: Safety Plan

A practical guide to creating a safety plan with teenagers who are in a relationship with an abusive partner. It covers the following areas:

• Staying safe at school
• Staying safe at home
• Staying safe emotionally
• Getting help in your community
• These are things I can do to help keep myself safe every day
• These are things I can do to help keep myself safe in my social life
• These are things I can do to stay safe online and with my mobile phone

Click here to view/download

Sheffield Children Safeguarding Partnership Child Protection and Safeguarding Procedures Manual

Person Posing A Risk To Children Assessment Framework

This tool is designed to provide a framework for assessing the risk posed by such individuals, who may or may not be convicted. It is intended for use as a framework for discussion with the PPR and other members of the household, (not a form to be completed) when social workers become aware of such an individual living in a household with children, or having contact with a household with children.

The framework consists of the following sections:

• Introduction
• The PPR behaviours of concern
• Family and environmental factors of the PPR
• The Child and their family
• Support and monitoring systems
• Analysis
• Decision

Click here to view/download

Canadian Centre for Child Protection 

Protecting Your Child from Sexual Abuse – parents’ prevention guide

Protecting Your Child was developed by Canadian Centre for Child Protection and is intended to help parents/guardians better understand the issue of child sexual abuse. Topics covered include the scope of child sexual abuse, personal boundaries, adult supervision, children’s use of internet-enabled devices, concerning sexual behaviour in children, what to talk to your child about, and reporting.
Click here to view/download (from Canadian Centre for Child Protection’s website)

Safeguarding Your Child – guide for parents whose child was/may have been sexually abused

Safeguarding Your Child was developed by Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It is for parents/guardians whose child was or may have been sexually abused. It builds on Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Pieces and helps parents/guardians continue on the healing journey, addressing issues that may present as their child gets older.

Click here to view/download (from Canadian Centre for Child Protection  website)

Understanding Child Sexual Abuse – parents’ guide whose child was/may have been sexually abused

Understanding Child Sexual Abuse was developed by Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It is for protective parents/guardians where child sexual abuse has been discovered or is suspected. It outlines the scope of the child sexual abuse, what child sexual abuse is, how the grooming process works, impacts of the abuse, and tips for parents/guardians on how to handle disclosure.

Click here to view/download (from Canadian Centre for Child Protection website).

Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Pieces – parents’ guide to aftermath of abuse

Child Sexual Abuse: Picking up the Piece was developed by Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It addresses how parents/guardians may feel after abuse is discovered and what their child may be experiencing emotionally, as well as practical and tangible steps parents/guardians can take to support their child and get support for themselves as a parent/guardian.

Click here to view/download (from Canadian Centre for Child Protection  website)

Safety Rocks: Activity book teaching to be safe online & offline (ages 8-10)

Safety Rocks was developed by Canadian Centre for Child Protection. It is an activity book aimed at children aged between 8 and 10. Jack, Olivia and their dragons help parents teach important personal safety strategies that apply both offline and online – such as when to keep or speak a secret, who is a safe adult, and what is okay and not okay. Safety Rocks booklet helps parents have those critical, on-going discussions in a fun and age-appropriate way.

Click here to view/download (from Canadian Centre for Child Protection website)

Parents Protect UK

What we need to know to protect our children from sexual abuse

This booklet aims to provide the information parents and carers need to recognise the warning signs of abuse and to build the confidence to do something about it.

Click here to view/download

NAPCAN

Keeping Children Safe from Sexual Abuse: info sheet for parents

Outlines sexual abuse facts, offers tips on how to keep a child safe from sexual abuse & how to react if a child has experienced sexual abuse. (The sheet includes a list of available support services – replace the list by providing contact details for your local services.)

Click here to view/download

It’s important to note that these organizations and resources are available to all children, not just those who are looked after by the state. If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, I would encourage you to reach out to one of these organizations for help and support.

Conclusion

Sexual abuse can have a profound impact on the lives of looked after children, leaving them feeling isolated and in need of support and care. However, there are resources and support available that can help these children heal and recover. It is important to seek out these resources and support as soon as possible to help children overcome the impact of the abuse and build a brighter future.