Effective work with non-abusing parents and carers of children who have experienced CSA is crucial to achieving good mental health outcomes for those children and the prevention of further harm.
If you have concerns that a young person is being sexually abused these should be sensitively raised with their parents/carers (if they are not suspected of involvement). The Engaging Families Toolkit may be helpful here.
Also useful is “But they must have known!” Effectively working with non-abusing parents by Anna Glinski on the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse website. She highlights the importance of this multi-agency work, noting the depth and complexity of feelings that may arise for parents when they learn that their child has been abused by a family member.
Glinski highlights the fact that social inequality can heighten the impact for the non-abusing parent:
‘For those from Black, Asian and minoritized communities, or with English as a second language, or whose residence in this country is threatened, there may be additional and significant consequences for what has happened.’
The Centre of Expertise for CSA has also developed a helpful guide for supporting non-abusing parents and carers. Supporting parents and carers guide The Centre has also published Managing risk and trauma – CSA Centre.
Parents who are disabled, or who have learning disabilities, may encounter disadvantage and discrimination when involved in child protection proceedings. There are protocols for working with parents with a physical or a learning disability to ensure that proceedings are inclusive and fair:
PSCP Working With Parents Who Are Disabled Guidance
Work in Progress
PSCP Working With Parents With a Learning Disability
Work in Progress
