Research shows that between 20–40% of girls and 10–15% of boys experience sexual abuse before the age of 16. The impact of such experiences can be profound and lifelong. This course is designed to increase carers’ understanding of child sexual abuse, its effects on children and young people, and to provide practical strategies for offering safe, supportive, and informed care.
By the end of this course, carers will be able to:
- Define what sexual abuse is—and what it is not
- Understand how child sexual abuse can occur
- Recognise the short- and long-term effects of sexual abuse
- Respond appropriately when a child discloses sexual abuse
- Anticipate behaviours that may result from trauma and apply effective strategies to manage them
- Learn from case scenarios that illustrate the realities of supporting children who have experienced sexual abuse
