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Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Group

The responsibility of the CSA Group is to oversee the implementation of the multi-agency CSA strategy and ensure that actions arising from it are undertaken. The main functions of the CSA Group include:

  • Raising general awareness of the signs and indicators of CSA across the workforce.
  • Identifying appropriate toolkits to help in the early identification of children and young people subject to CSA
  • Sourcing appropriate training to support practitioners in their use.
  • Encouraging individual agencies to improve the quality of assessments, considering possible CSA
  • Targeting awareness-raising to young people, mothers and those who work in schools and colleges.
  • Raising awareness of the particular CSA vulnerability of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

CSA Group terms of reference

International and national research shows us that child sexual abuse in all its forms, from exposure to inappropriate sexual images to being coerced to take part in harmful sexual activities, discussions or photographs, is prevalent across all levels of society.

The impact

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) can have enduring consequences for the survivors. For many the impact is significant and life-long. These can include acute feelings of betrayal and mistrust, powerlessness, stigmatization, guilt, self-loathing and traumatic sexualisation, physical and mental health problems, and difficulties in forming and maintaining healthy relationships.

The Brook Traffic Light Tool is available to help professionals in identifying, understanding and responding to sexual behaviours in children and young people.

The 'What Happens' guide has been produced to provide practitioners with an understanding of the Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) referral and response process, so that they can help children and families by explaining to them the professional response in their situation. CSA 'What Happens' Guide.

This Service Mapping Poster provides a guide for professionals to available services and how to access these.

Communicating with children a guide for those working with children who have or may have been sexually abused. 

Types of CSA 

Contact abuse - involves touching activities where an abuser makes physical contact with a child.

Non-contact abuse - involves non-touching activities, such as grooming, exploitation, persuading children to perform sexual acts over the internet and flashing, showing pornography to a child, sexual exploitation of a child.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity

  • in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
  • for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. (Working Together 2018)

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    The Truth Project logo

    The Truth Project is part of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The Truth Project offers victims and survivors the opportunity to share their experience in writing, on the telephone or in person.

    Say Something - Child Sexual Exploitation Helpline

    Free 24/7 Helpline:  116 000

    There is a dedicated helpline, provided by the Devon and Cornwall Police, for children and young people with concerns about child sexual exploitation (CSE) involving themselves or others.  This 'Say Something' helpline is free and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  The helpline number is 116000. 

    For more information see: www.stop-cse.org/saysomething