Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse

Sadly, child sexual abuse is a very common type of harm. We estimate 1 in 10 children are sexually abused by the age of 16 in England and Wales.

To identify, respond to and prevent it, we need to have a good understanding of the essential facts about child sexual abuse.

Do you want to build your understanding of child sexual abuse? Read our quick overview which introduces essential knowledge and evidence in 10 key points.

It is accessible to anyone seeking to learn more about child sexual abuse, whether you are in child safeguarding practice or not.  

Since we were founded in 2017, the CSA Centre has sought to improve the understanding of and response to child sexual abuse.

Funded by the Home Office and hosted by Barnardo’s, our team collates and analyses existing research, policy, practice, and the experiences of survivors, to allow us to fill the gaps with new research, insights and analysis.

With a multi-disciplinary team, we then use that evidence and insight to develop new approaches and apply learning in practice through training and resources.

By professionals, researchers, policymakers, businesses and communities working together, we believe that we can tackle child sexual abuse.