This learning from case reviews briefing looks at case reviews published since 2017, where children experienced sexual abuse.
The reviews suggest that professionals are sometimes slow to identify sexual abuse as an explanation for a child's behaviour or medical presentations – particularly when other explanations are offered.
The learning highlights the importance of:
This briefing focuses on child sexual abuse committed by adults. For information on harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) which is displayed by children and young people, read our HSB learning from case review briefing.
Published: January 2020
Looking for case reviews? Search the National case review repository and find serious case reviews by subject, year or area.
View our full list of thematic briefings. Our briefings focus on topics ranging from types of abuse, learning for specific sectors, children and families at risk and more.
After regular updates? Sign up to our Case Review Update newsletter and receive a monthly update alerting you to the case reviews added to the National case review repository.
Contact us
Our team of information specialists are on hand to find the answers to your questions.
Use our information and resources to help you recognise child sexual abuse when working or volunteering with children. Includes what signs to look out for and how to respond to concerns.
How many children experience sexual abuse in the UK? Our briefing highlights key findings from the data and statistics about child sexual abuse.
Child sexual exploitation (CSE) can take place in person, online or using a combination of both. This page explains what is, how to recognise it and how people who work with children can respond to it.
A briefing summarising the findings from inspections of how agencies in England respond to child sexual abuse in the family.
A 2019 research study into how parents and carers can keep children with disabilities safe from sexual abuse.
