Child Sexual Abuse

A guide for health professionals

The inspiration for much of my writing comes from my direct work with abused children and their families. However, I was prompted to write this book by my experiences as a lecturer in child protection training for a variety of pro­ fessional workers. I realized from the anxious questions asked and feelings expressed that, despite the fact that many professionals are unlikely to encounter a high incidence of child sexual abuse cases in the course of their careers, the subject is one that provokes considerable concern, confusion and distress. While front-line investigative personnet -such as child care social workers, specialist police officers, police surgeons and paediatricians -have a number of anxieties about working with child sexual abuse cases, they can usually avail themselves of specific training, detailed books and articles and the support of experienced colleagues to help sustain them through any difficulties. It is non-investigating workers on the periphery of child protection work, many of whom are health professionals, who are left feeling worried and vulnerable. They may encounter only one or two cases of child sexual abuse during their careers, and because the numbers they have to work with are small, their employers, perhaps understandably, are reluctant to give them any special training in child protection work.