Spotting the signs and indicators of child sexual abuse

Are you confident in your knowledge of the signs and indicators of sexual abuse and sexually abusive behaviour? Would you like advice on using our Signs and Indicators Template to build a picture of your concerns when you are worried about a child?

This free webinar gives professionals working with children the knowledge and confidence to gather the wider the emotional, behavioural and physical signs and indicators of sexual abuse.

About this webinar

Research indicates that just one in three children who had been sexually abused by an adult told anyone at the time. Understandably, children often find it very difficult to tell us about the sexual harm they are experiencing.

There are many barriers to children sharing their experiences of sexual abuse. We know from research and data that it simply isn’t likely that a child will feel able to tell professionals directly what is happening or recognise that what is happening to them is abuse. Instead, they may show other emotional, behavioural and physical signs of their abuse.

The CSA Centre’s free Signs and Indicators Template helps professionals build a picture of their concerns when they are worried that a child or young person they are working with is being, or has been, sexually abused.

This one-hour session will introduce professionals to the Signs and Indicators Template and give an opportunity to use it in practice. It aims to give professionals working with children the knowledge and confidence to act when they are concerned about a child. Both the template and this webinar have been designed to support professionals across a range of organisations and agencies to systematically observe, record and communicate their concerns about the signs which may indicate child sexual abuse.

Who is this webinar for?

This course is for any professional whose role may involve contact with children, including those in social care, health (primary care, mental health, accident and emergency, midwifery, health visiting, sexual health), police, adoption services, fostering services, schools and any other relevant services in contact with children, young people, parent(s) or carer(s).

The timings of the webinars have been selected to ensure that anyone, no matter their profession, should find a convenient time be able to attend.

About our introductory webinars 

The introductory webinar series is designed to help professionals working with children and families to build confidence using our practice resources to identify and respond to child sexual abuse.  

This session will be led by one of our Practice Improvement Advisers from the team who published this resource. Our advisers have significant experience working with children and families where harmful sexual behaviour is a concern, delivering training, and working within multi-agency safeguarding arrangements. 

Related training

Do you want your team to build their confidence and skills in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse? Take a look at the CSA Centre’s range of in-depth training courses for professionals across all agencies and sectors.

An introduction to intra-familial child sexual abuse | CSA Centre 

Communicating with children when you have concerns of sexual abuse course | CSA Centre 

Train the trainer – Intra-familial child sexual abuse (multi-agency) | CSA Centre 

Questions?

For more information on this webinar and series please contact: training@csacentre.org.uk