working together to tackle

Child Sexual Abuse

What is
Child Sexual Abuse?
It 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 NON-CONTACT

includes assault by ACTIVITIES such as
penetration (for example, involving children in
rape or oral sex) or non- looking at, or in the
penetrative acts such as production of, sexual
masturbation, kissing, images, watching sexual
rubbing and touching activities, encouraging
outside of clothing. 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.”
(HM Government, 2015)

Contents:
Introduction ............ pg 5 Traffic Light Tool ....... pg 16
Prevention .............. pg 6 Grooming ................ pg 19
Recognition ............. pg 8 Report and Support ........ pg 20
Children with disabilities.. pg 10
Harmful sexual behaviour... pg 15
3
4
 Research from the Children’s Two-thirds of cases of sexual abuse
Commissioner in 2015 suggests happen within the direct family
that nationally there were 425,000 and it can be really difficult to tell
victims of Child Sexual Abuse someone about this kind of abuse.
in the United Kingdom between
2012 and 2014. Younger children might not
understand that what’s happening
In 2011, The NSPCC published to them is abuse or that it’s wrong.
research that revealed 11% of 18 Older children might be worried
– 24 year olds had reported they they won’t be believed or scared
were victims of contact sexual about what will happen if they
abuse at some point during their tell.
childhood.
Therefore it is really important
The same research indicates that that adults spot the signs of
over 90% of sexually abused sexual abuse so it can be stopped.
children were abused by someone
they knew. Whether you work with children
or are a parent, the following
Children with Disabilities are information has been put together
three times more likely to be the to help you:
victims of sexual abuse (Sullivan
and Knutson 2000). • prevent children being sexually
abused,
At the last census there were • recognise the signs when
167,714 children up to the age sexual abuse might be
of 18 living in Norfolk. happening, and
• stop child sexual abuse.
It happens to boys, girls and children
of all ages from all communities. It also provides links to resources
Most of these children don’t tell and support for those affected by
anyone or will not get any help child sexual abuse.
until they are adults.

When children aren't helped, the consequences of the abuse

can be long-term and severe, including the inability to build

healthy relationships, poor mental health and physical illness.

 Prevention
We need to keep children safe from
abuse before it happens

6
ChildLine is a service provided by the NSPCC.
2013391. Registered charity numbers 216401 and SC037717
The below link has resources for schools, teachers and
parents about The Underwear Rule that is great to help
safeguard children you know. Available are lesson plans,
teaching guidance, a PANTS presentation, leaflets and
guidance - including the underwear rule in five languages.
Find out more and download here: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
TALK
preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/ PANTS

When children get older, it is normal for them to be

inquisitive about sex. Sometimes children use the
internet to find out information but this can lead to
them accidentally accessing online porn which is
RISKS OF
damaging to them. This information can help you talk EXPLICIT
to children about porn.
Find out more: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/
ONLINE
keeping-children-safe/online-porn/ MATERIAL

This guide for parents gives useful advice about signs

and symptoms of child sexual abuse and also gives
advice about how to spot a potential abuser.
Find out more: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/services-and-resources/
research-and-resources/pre-2013/what-can-i-do

You might be worried if another person:

refuses to allow your child displays physical affection takes too much interest in
sufficient privacy or to such as kissing, hugging the sexual development
make their own decisions or wrestling even when of your child or teenager
on personal matters the child clearly does not
want it

wants time alone with wants to spend most of regularly offers to

your child with no their spare time with your babysit the children for
interruptions child or has little interest free or take children on
in spending time with overnight outings alone
people their own age WHAT
buys your children frequently walks in on treats a particular child as
CAN I DO?
expensive gifts or gives your children or teenagers a favourite, making them PROTECTING
them money for no in the bathroom feel ‘special’
A CHILD FROM
apparent reason
SEXUAL ABUSE
 Recognition
We need to understand signs and
symptoms of child sexual abuse

Signs, Symptoms and Effects

If you’re worried that a child is being abused,
watch out for any unusual behaviour such as the
below as advised by NSPCC:

• withdrawn • takes risks

• suddenly behaves differently • misses school
• anxious • changes in eating habits
• clingy • obsessive behaviour
• depressed • nightmares
• aggressive • drugs
• problems sleeping • alcohol
• eating disorders • self-harm
• wets the bed • thoughts about suicide
• soils clothes

Find out more: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-

and-neglect/child-sexual-abuse/signs-symptoms-effects/
8
 Children who are
sexually abused may...

Stay away from certain people

• they might avoid being alone with people, such as family
members or friends

• they could seem frightened of a person or reluctant to

socialise with them.

Have physical symptoms

• anal or vaginal soreness

• an unusual discharge

• sexually transmitted infection (STI)

• pregnancy.

Show sexual behaviour that’s

inappropriate for their age
This is classed as Harmful Sexual Behaviour, more on page 15.

9
 Children With
Disabilities

10
What makes children with disabilities
more vulnerable to abuse?
1 2 3

May not understand Dependence leading to

Wider circle of
they are being reluctance to disclose
carers
abused adverse circumstances

4 5 6
Low self-worth The child may not Often living away
leading to desire to be deemed as a from family &
please credible witness supportive network

7 8 9
Abusive Less able to express that Limited
practices may go sexual abuse is taking communication
unrecognised place skills

10 11 12
The impact of disability on Disabled Abusers perceive
attachment and therefore children more a lower chance of
a parent’s ability to likely to be their actions being
protect compliant detected

13 14 15
Abusers more
Practitioners speak with
Often require likely to justify
adults around the child
intimate care actions to
rather than to the child
themselves

11
 Issues to consider:
SIMILAR SYMPTOMS RELUCTANCE

Expect to see similar Reluctance to challenge

symptoms as with other carers – especially if an
children alternate placement is
hard to find

UNDERSTANDING MORE RESOURCES

It can be harder to More time, expertise and

understand effort may be required to
gather information from
a disabled child

MINDFUL SUBTLETY

Be mindful of parents Signs and symptoms

and carers speaking on can be more subtle
behalf of the child

PROFESSIONALS OTHER FACTORS

Consider the views of There are more possible

professionals who have explanations for signs
an in depth knowledge and symptoms
of the child’s situation

ASSISTANCE COMPLEXITIES

Consider assistance of Signs and symptoms

such professionals when can be harder to
building rapport with a untangle - especially with
child communication differences

12
Children With
Disabilities

13
1414
 Harmful Sexual Behaviour
Children and young people who develop harmful
sexual behaviour have often experienced abuse
and neglect themselves.

using Harmful
sexually inappropriate sexual
explicit touching behaviour
words and includes:
phrases

full
using sexual penetrative
violence or sex with other
threats children or
adults

Children and young people who if the older child is disabled (Rich,
develop harmful sexual behaviour 2011).
harm themselves and others.
A study by Hackett et al (2013) of
Sexual behaviour between children children and young people with
is also considered harmful if one harmful sexual behaviour suggests
of the children is much older – that two-thirds had experienced
particularly if there is more than two some kind of abuse or trauma
years’ difference in age or if one of such as physical abuse, emotional
the children is pre-pubescent and abuse, sexual abuse, severe neglect,
the other isn’t (Davies, 2012). parental rejection, family breakdown,
domestic violence, and parental
However, a younger child can abuse drug and alcohol abuse. Around
an older child, particularly if they half of them had experienced
have power over them – for example, sexual abuse.

Find out more: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-

abuse-and-neglect/harmful-sexual-behaviour/
Davies, J. (2012) Working with sexually harmful behaviour. Counselling Children and Young People, March 2012: 20-23.

15
 Brook Sexual Behaviours
Traffic Light Tool
This is a tool to help you identify harmful sexual
behaviour and behaviours that are normal in relation
to the child’s age.

By identifying sexual behaviours All green, amber and red behaviours

as GREEN, AMBER or RED, require some form of attention
professionals across different and response, but the type of
agencies can work to the same intervention will vary according to
criteria when making decisions and the behaviour.
protect children and young people
with a unified approach. Find out more: https://www.brook.org.uk/
our-work/the-sexual-behaviours-traffic-
This tool lists examples of presenting light-tool
sexual behaviours within four age
categories.

Age 0-5 Age 5-9 Age 9-13 Age 13-17

Green behaviours reflect safe and healthy sexual development.

Amber behaviours have the potential to be outside of

safe and healthy behaviour.

Red behaviours are outside of safe and healthy behaviour.

16
17
 I saw your willy

We teach our children to share...

But does your child know the risks of sharing online?
The be #ShareAware campaign aims to help you if
you are worried about your child:
• taking and sharing inappropriate pictures

• sharing personal information

• looking at porn online

• being bullied online

• bullying others online

• spending too much time online

18
 Grooming
Grooming is when someone builds an emotional
connection with a child to gain their trust for the
purposes of sexual abuse or exploitation.

Children and young people can Groomers do this by:

be groomed online or in the • pretending to be someone they
real world, by a stranger or by are not, for example saying they
someone they know. are the same age online
• offering advice or understanding
Groomers may be male or female. • buying gifts
They could be any age. • giving the child attention
• using their professional position
Many children and young people or reputation
don’t understand that they have • taking them on trips, outings or
been groomed, or that what has holidays.
happened is abuse.
The NSPCC have launched a ‘Be
Groomers will hide their true Share Aware’ campaign working
intentions and may spend a long with Norfolk Constabulary to
time gaining a child’s trust. educate parents on how to talk
about what’s OK, and not OK, to
They may also try to gain the trust share online. Find out more: https://
of the whole family so they can be www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/
alone with the child. keeping-children-safe/share-aware/

Online Grooming
A groomer may: Groomers may look for:

Use social media sites, instant messaging, User names or comments that are flirtatious
dating apps or online gaming platforms and/or may have a sexual meaning

Spend a long time learning a child’s interests Public comments that suggest a child has low
from online profiles self-esteem or is vulnerable

Hide their identity online

Groomers no longer need to meet children in real life to abuse them. Increasingly, groomers
are sexually exploiting their victims by persuading them to take part in online sexual activity.

19
 Report and Support
I was the coach who
noticed at practice
I was the teacher
who was worried

I was the neighbour

who felt uneasy
I was the family
member who was
concerned

CHILD ABUSE.
IF YOU THINK IT, REPORT IT.
gov.uk/tacklechildabuse

20
 If you're worried that a child or young
person is being sexually abused:
You must talk to a safeguarding lead within your organisation or phone
the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) for a consultation. For more
information see the Norfolk Threshold Guide: www.norfolklscb.org

If the child is at risk of significant harm, do not delay in phoning the MASH
on: 0344 800 8020. If it’s an emergency situation then call the police on 999

If you or another adult wants to talk about

being sexually abused during childhood
Call the police on 101 or in an emergency on 999. If you are not ready to
talk to the police contact the Harbour Centre (see below)

The Harbour Centre is a Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC)

which provides a range of services for people who are The
victims of rape, attempted rape or assault by penetration.
It aims to empower victims by allowing them to report Harbour
their abuse and undergo medical examinations without
prompting a police investigation.
Centre
From January 2015 the centre also officially opened its doors to
children aged under 13 who are in need of round-the-clock help as
well as support from a dedicated Child Advocate.

( 01603 276381
: www.theharbourcentre.co.uk

The trained helpline counsellors at ChildLine are there to talk

through any worries with children. They won’t judge and
are not easily shocked. Instead, they listen to children and
help them talk through their options. ChildLine
( 0800 1111
: www.childline.org.uk
21
 The Lucy Faithful campaign STOP IT NOW provides
help and support, including a helpline for: STOP
• adults worried about the behaviour of other adults IT
or children and young people
NOW
• those worried about their own sexual thoughts or
behaviour towards children, including those with
concerns about their online behaviour

• friends and relatives of people arrested for sexual offending, including

internet offending

• any other adult with a concern about child sexual abuse – including
survivors and professionals.

( 0808 1000 900

* Help@stopitnow.org.uk
: www.stopitnow.org.uk

You can contact the NSPCC if you are worried about

the safety or welfare of a child. Their trained helpline
counsellors are ready to offer expert help, advice and
support 24/7.
NSPCC
They can also take action on your behalf if you are
concerned that a child is being abused or is at risk of
abuse.

It’s free to contact them and you don’t have to say who you are.

( 0808 800 5000 24 hours a day

( Text: 88858
* help@nspcc.org.uk
: www.nspcc.org.uk

Sarah’s Law
CHILD SEX OFFENDER DISCLOSURE SCHEME

If you have concerns about an adult who has access to a child you are responsible for,
you can make an application under the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme (also
known as Sarah’s Law). This may provide further information to help you safeguard
22the child. You just need to dial 101 and explain that you wish to make an application.
23
 Other support :
National helpline services:
MOSAC
Provides support for non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused.
( 0800 980 1958 : www.mosac.org.uk * enquiries@mosac.org.uk

Survivors UK
Provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.
( 0845 122 1201 (see website for opening hours as they may vary)
: www.survivorsuk.org * info@survivorsuk.org

NAPAC
Supports survivors of childhood abuse, and supporters of survivors. Its helpline is open Monday to
Thursday, 10am to 9pm and Friday 10am to 6pm.
( 0800 085 3330 for free from landlines, 3, Orange and Virgin mobile phones.
( 0808 801 0331 for free from O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone mobile phones.
: www.napac.org.uk * support@napac.org.uk

Norfolk based services:

SUE LAMBERT TRUST
Provides counselling, one to one and group support free of charge to people aged 11 and over
affected by sexual abuse. Services available in Norwich and Great Yarmouth.
( 01603 622406
* info@suelamberttrust.org : www.suelamberttrust.org

ROSE PROJECT
Provides a range of specialist services to young people at risk of - or who have experienced - child
sexual exploitation (CSE) in Norfolk.
( 0808 800 1037
: magdalenegroup.org/rose-project

Children’s safety online:

CEOP
This website is managed by the police and offers a place to report concerns about online activities
but also offers help and advice to children and parents about safe internet use.
: www.ceop.police.uk

UK Safer Internet Centre

A parents’ guide to the technology that children use, highlighting the safety tools available and
empowering parents to support their children to use these technologies safely and responsibly.
: www.saferinternet.org.uk/advice-and-resources/parents-and-carers/parents-guide-to-
technology