Sexual AbuseA personal reflection

Jan van WagtendonkIndependent Chair Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board

Redcar and Cleveland Safeguarding Children Board

1980’s

1980 guidance sexual abuse should not be a separate category (included later)

1982 2 Day Regional Conference on Sexual Abuse Northumberland

Developing theoretical framework (for example Finkelhor, Bentovim et al)

1987 Cleveland Inquiry

1990’s Focus developing on sex offenders 1992 Report of the Committee of

Enquiry into Children and Young People who Sexually Abuse Other Children

Lucy Faithful Foundation Ray Wyre further developing theoretical framework NOTA

Ritual Abuse JS LaFontaine 1994 Rochdale; Nottingham; Orkneys;

Shieldfield (1998)

00’s Inquiries into Children’s Homes and

Abuse, including Operation Rose Church Abuse scandals (ongoing) Internet development; social networks;

producing pornographic images; sharing on line

Trafficking children Sexual Exploitation

Conclusions Maintains press and public interest Sexual Abuse remains controversial in

understanding the extend of sexual abuse (difficult to suspend disbelief in both directions)

Consequences for victims are serious Treatment remains a challenge for

victims and perpetrators. Our understanding is still developing

but ignore it at your peril