Responding to Disclosures - Supporting Children and Young People Who Experience Sexual Abuse

LIVE ONLINE WORKSHOP

Capability Level: Evolving

Research indicates that more than one in three girls and almost one in five boys report experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18, but generally it is not until adulthood that victims and survivors disclose being sexually abused as a child.

Understanding how and why children disclose is critical to providing effective and compassionate support. For social workers, navigating disclosures of child sexual abuse requires not only a trauma-informed approach but also a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding disclosure. This workshop equips practitioners with the skills and knowledge to respond compassionately while considering the perspectives of both the child and the practitioner.

By gaining insights into the nuances of disclosure and the barriers children and young people may face, social workers can enhance their practice, build trust, and uphold ethical and professional standards. This workshop will also provide tools for self-reflection and strategies for maintaining personal wellbeing in a challenging field.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for social workers and practitioners who are developing their confidence and capability in responding to disclosures of child sexual abuse. Participants at this level are experienced in their field, work collaboratively within a team under supervision and are deepening their understanding of how to support children and young people through the disclosure process with compassion and professionalism.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the process of disclosure from the perspective of a child or young person.

• Understand the practitioner perspective, recognising how ethical considerations and practice knowledge influence decision making and responses to disclosures.

• Strengthening strategies for maintaining wellbeing and psychological health.

Event Structure:

Introduction

Learning Session 1: Understanding disclosure of child sexual abuse from the child or young person’s perspective (60 minutes)

Learning Activity 1: Interactive discussion and whiteboards

Learning Session 2: Understanding the Practitioner Perspective (60 minutes)

Learning Activity 2: case study/ individualised cases

Learning Session 3: Balancing wellbeing and psychological health (60 minutes)

Learning Activity 3: Reflection and group discussion

Conclusion and Q&A

AASW Credentials: Mental Health and Child Protection

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.