Sexual Abuse A personal reflection

1. Sexual AbuseA personal reflection Jan van Wagtendonk Independent Chair Sunderland Safeguarding Children Board Redcar and Cleveland Safeguarding Children Board

2. 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

3. 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)

4. 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

5. 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