Child sexual abuse involves forcing or persuading a child to take part in sexual activities whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. This includes physical contact sexual assaults as well as exposing children to sexual materials or acts. Children can be sexually abused over the internet.
Grooming children relates to building a relationship of trust with a child for the purposes of manipulating, exploiting or abusing them. Children who experience sexual abuse are usually abused by someone they know, such as a family member or trusted adult (90%). Also, 30% of child sexual abuse victims are abused by another child. Harmful sexual behaviour by children is explored further below.
It is widely accepted that perpetrators will usually go through four steps in order to sexually abuse a child. David Finkelhor developed the ‘Four Preconditions Model’ in 1986. The Lucy Faithfull Foundation have explained this further.
Sarah's Law
Under the child sex offender disclosure scheme (also known as ‘Sarah’s Law’), anyone in England and Wales can formally ask the police if someone who has access to a child has a record for child sexual offences. Police will reveal relevant information to the person most able to protect the child (usually parent/carer). The disclosure scheme is available via the Home Office. Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own similar schemes.
Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA)
Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) enable Police, Probation and Social Care to monitor the risks posed by offenders convicted of violent or sexual crimes.
The NSPCC state that 'harmful sexual behaviour is developmentally inappropriate sexual behaviour displayed by children and young people which is harmful or abusive'. This definition recognises that children’s sexual behaviour is on a continuum and should be considered in relation to their age and stage of development.
Harmful sexual behaviour in children can often be an expression of other problems or vulnerabilities. Children with harmful sexual behaviour will need a coordinated multi-agency response to assist them and their family. Many children may have specific needs that need to be identified and support offered whilst ensuring other children remain protected. A risk management plan should be agreed with all agencies supporting the child, which is developed and regularly reviewed separately from any child victims.
Essex Sexual Health Service Outreach and Education Team offer a wide variety of training to anyone that supports young people around their relationships or sexual health.
For more information or to book onto upcoming training please visit the ESHS website.
For more information about the service or to request in-house training please contact provide.eshsoutreachteam@nhs.net
The Essex Sexual Health Service has developed some videos for parents about healthy relationships and the importance of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) and how to have conversations at home. There are six videos which can be found on the Essex Sexual Health Service website (scroll to the bottom).