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Child sexual abuse/incest: Working with children and young people

This section offers a selection of helpful resources on child sexual abuse and working with children who may or have been sexually abused. 

All these resources are available on loan from the Women’s Support Project. You can also request books through your local library.

Download this resource list in pdf format. [56kb]

ADVICE ON TALKING WITH CHILDREN

Keeping safe: a practical guide to talking with children
By Michele Elliot
Pub. Coronet Books, London, 1994
Practical suggestions and examples of how and when to discuss sexual abuse with children.

No more secrets : protecting your child from sexual assault
By Caren Adams & Jennifer Fay
Pub. Impact USA, 1981
Topics covered include what is child sexual assault, where to begin talking to children, hints on what to say, games to help in protection. Also a chapter on how children may tell or show they have been abused

No is not enough: helping teenagers avoid sexual assault.
Pub. Impact, USA, 1984
Advice for parents on how to raise the issues of abuse, and possible ways of answering common questions.

Where do I start : a parents guide to talking to teenagers about acquaintance rape
By Py Bateman & Gail Stringer
Pub. Kendall Hunt, USA, 1984
This booklet looks at acquaintance rape, different gender perceptions, peer pressure, what do teenagers need to know etc. Gives suggestions on how to raise such issues with teenagers and brief section on what to do if your child is abused.

Awareness programmes

Kidscape primary kit programme for prevention of sexual assault on children 5-11 years
Pub. Kidscape, London 1985
This pack is intended mainly for use in schools and is comprehensive long-term programme aimed at helping children to recognise and avoid dangerous situations. The pack in not aimed exclusively at sexual abuse but covers bullying as well. This pack is accompanied by a video which explains the programme.

Taking care preventing child sexual abuse
By Clodagh Corcoran
Pub. Poolbeg Press, 1987
This is a book for parents and all adults who care about the well-being of children. The author believes ‘an informed child
is a safe child’ and gives guidelines and prevention tactics for children of all ages. Useful practical book which has plenty of
general advice.

Wee VIP Project, The
an abuse prevention programme for pre-school children and their parents.
Produced by Eighteen and Under, Dundee, 1999
This pack aims to increase the confidence and skills of parents in speaking with their children about keeping safe, and to increase the ability of young children to deal with potentially abusive situations.

Working with abused children

Anti-colouring book, The
By Susan Striker & Edward Kimmel
Pub. Scholastic, 1989
Play book for children with drawings and word exercises. Can be used to ascertain what is good and bad in children’s lives. It could therefore be used to assess the extent or effects of abuse. very useful

Be aware supporting young survivors of abuse
By Laurie Matthew
Pub. Wee VIP Publication, Dundee, 2001
A very accessible book written in layman’s terms and aimed at parents, carers workers, friends and family . This book is intended to raise awareness and assist people who come into contact with young survivors to be better equipped to understand the many issues involved in providing support.

Helping abused children : a book for those who work with sexually abused children
By Patricia Kehoe, pub. Parenting Press, USA 1988
This book provides basic background information on child sexual abuse, child development, and the ways in which young children respond to sexual abuse and it’s aftermath. Includes guidelines for using the story book ‘Something happened and I’m scared to tell’ -see reading for children & young people - books for younger children

Helping strategies for child sexual abuse
By Celia Doyle
Pub. Whiting & Birch, London, 1997
This book is aimed both at those who work with abused children and those who may come across the problem occasionally. it provides an introduction to the different types and settings of abuse; the need for adults their own feelings; and the difficulties faced by children. The importance of ‘believing hildren’ is emphasised

Liking myself
By Pat Palmer
Pub. impact, USA, 1989
For children aged 5-9 years, this book looks at feelings and liking yourself

Look back stride forward
By Miriam Saphira and Lindy McIntyre
Pub. Papers Inc. New Zealand, 1989
This book is designed for direct work with young people who lives are dominated by the effects of early abuse

My secret file: a do-it-yourself dossier for your darkest thoughts
By John Astrop
Pub. Puffin Books, London, 1982
Ideal as a resource for direct work with adolescents.

Play therapy with abused children
By Ann Cattanach
Pub. Jessica Kingsley, London, 1992
A clear and easy to use book which balances factual information and case material. Covers emotional, physical and sexual abuse.

Poppies on the rubbish heap: sexual abuse the child’s voice
By Madge Bray
Pub. Cannongate Press
Madge Bray expresses openly and honestly her own personal development as a practitioner and provides an interesting account of the difficulties she faced in developing a strategy of working with abused and disturbed children

Windows to our children
By Violet Oaklander
Pub. Real People Press, USA,1978
This book outlines techniques for art therapy with children and adults. It covers drawings, work with clay, puppets, music relaxation drama therapy, play therapy. It also looks at problems such as aggression, hyperactivity, withdrawn behaviour etc. .

Working with abused children
By Celia Doyle
Pub. BASW, 1990
A large part of this book is devoted to giving practical suggestions for therapy with abused children through individual, family and group work. The last chapter is devoted to long term effects of abuse and the help that can be given to adults who have abused children.

BOOKS FOR CARERS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN

Helping your child recover from sexual abuse
By Caren Adams & Jennifer Fay
Pub. University of Washington Press, Seattle,  1987
Covers: believing your child; legal system family and friend responses; children`s reactions; rebuilding self esteem; sexuality self possession; and moving on. Includes lists of difficulties which may arise, and practical suggestion on how you could respond. Helpful for parents of abused children.

Spiders and flies: help for parents and teachers of sexually abused children
By Donald Hillman & Janice Solek-Tefft
Pub. Lexinton Books, USA, 1988
Aims to provide parents and teachers of sexually abused children with specific strategies they can use to help alleviate stress and improve coping skills, for themselves and the children. Contains some useful advice.

When your child has been molested: a parent’s guide to healing & recovery
By Katherine B. Hagans & Joyce Case
Pub. Lexington Books, USA, 1990
This book is designed to help adults cope with the sexual abuse of their child. Deals with incest and child sexual abuse, the effects and procedures if reported (from an American viewpoint). It does not consider gender issues, there is however, some very useful material in the book that would
help non-abusing parents work with their children.

Videos

Feeling yes feeling no Produced by Educational Media International
70 mins
A sexual abuse awareness programme for primary age children. in four parts , with the first 20 minute section introducing the programme to adults. Recommended

T is for touching
A sexual abuse prevention programme for children ages 3-6 years
Produced by Red Flag Green Flag
15 mins
This three part series is designed for use with pre-school children and infant classes. Children learn to recognise good and bad touches, to say no to potentially dangerous situations, and to tell a helper

Caring for sexually abused children
Produced by National Foster Care Association
45mins
Part 1. Three foster mothers talk about caring for child who have been sexually abused; coping with the stress caused by children ‘acting out’/difficult behaviour; learning to care for an abused child. Part 2: Discussions with foster parents: coping with the child; sexualised behaviour; recognising and recording signs of abuse; working with social work.