Supporting Children After Sexual Abuse – Understanding, Responding, and Healing

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About Course

This course offers essential training for professionals working with children who have experienced sexual abuse, or when there are suspicions of abuse. It provides a comprehensive understanding of sexual abuse, practical tools for sensitive conversations, and strategies for supporting recovery. You will learn how to respond effectively to disclosures, manage the emotional and physical effects of abuse, and ensure your own well-being while working in challenging environments. Each module includes practical activities and tools, ensuring you are equipped to support these vulnerable children.

 

Course Content

Understanding Sexual Abuse – The Hidden Truth
Sexual abuse is complex and often difficult to detect. In this foundational module, we focus on understanding the hidden nature of sexual abuse and why it can be challenging to uncover. This module provides the essential background to understand the complexity of sexual abuse and equips you with the tools to respond appropriately in real-time.

  • What sexual abuse is and how it manifests across different contexts
    00:00
  • Why sexual abuse can be so difficult to identify, including the power dynamics, manipulation tactics used by abusers, and the child’s fear or loyalty toward the abuser.
  • How feelings of guilt and shame prevent many children from disclosing abuse and how professionals can support them in overcoming these barriers
  • The psychological impact of abuse on children’s emotions, behavior, and learning
  • Common misconceptions about abuse and how these can prevent children from receiving the help they need
    00:00
  • Appropriate responses to disclosures—what to say and, more importantly, what not to say when a child shares their experience
    00:00

The Body After Abuse – Healing and Protection
Sexual abuse leaves deep imprints not only emotionally but also physically. This module will focus on the effects of abuse on the body and how to help children regain a sense of safety. By the end of this module, you’ll have concrete strategies to help children process the physical effects of abuse and regain a sense of control over their own bodies. By the end of this module, you’ll have concrete strategies to help children process the physical effects of abuse and regain a sense of control over their own bodies.

Everything you need to know about the Abuser and Family Dynamics – Breaking the Silence
Understanding the perpetrator and the complex dynamics within families affected by sexual abuse is essential for providing holistic support. This module gives you the knowledge to better understand the abuser and family reactions, and the skills to support families through the complex aftermath of abuse.

Sexual Abuse in Young Children – Special Considerations
Young children are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse, and supporting them requires a unique set of skills. By the end of this module, you will feel confident in addressing sexual abuse in young children, recognizing preverbal trauma, and know how to provide sensitive, effective support.

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