Child sexual abuse: learning from case reviews
Summary of risk factors and learning for improved practice around child sexual abuse
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:
- professionals' ability to recognise and respond to sexual abuse
- displaying professional curiosity and challenge with families, carers and other agencies
- keeping the child at the centre of practitioners' work.
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.
Browse our full series of learning from case reviews briefings
Our series of thematic briefings highlight the learning from case reviews conducted when a child dies, or is seriously harmed, as a result of abuse or neglect. Each briefing focuses on a different topic or learning for specific sectors, pulling together key risk factors and practice recommendations.
More about case reviews
We work with local safeguarding partners to ensure that learning from case reviews can be accessed and shared at a local, regional and national level.
Services for children and families
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