Frontline Presents: Anna Glinski on why we all need to talk more about child sexual abuse
Wednesday 16 July – Last week saw the second Frontline Presents event, with a talk from Anna Glinski from the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA). Anna spoke out on the cultural silence that has developed around child sexual abuse in England, and called on professionals working with children to use their voices to speak out and address this crisis.
Anna cited CSA data that shows that more than one in ten children have been sexually abused by the age of 16.* At the same time, she spoke about the systemic barriers holding professionals back in identifying and dealing with the threat of child sexual abuse, and what can be done to combat these challenges. She argued that social workers are best placed to take the lead in improving how we address child sexual abuse across all professions.
Despite the high prevalence of child sexual abuse, the Anna called for more conversation and awareness around the topic – with data showing that concerns of sexual abuse are far less likely to be identified and named than other forms of abuse. Anna went on to speak about the recent report from the Child Safeguarding Practice Review panel and how professionals need to respond better to child sexual abuse in the family environment.**
Anna Glinski, CSA said – ‘As professionals we all have a part to play in combatting child sexual abuse and, maybe surprisingly to some, most of what we can do is pretty simple. Social workers are specifically placed to intervene in a way that’s really helpful for children. We now just need to create an environment where professionals have the knowledge, confidence and skills to feel empowered to help. Approach Social Work already teaches a specific module on child sexual abuse, and it’s my hope that other training providers follow suit so that all professionals, especially social workers, are better equipped in dealing with child sexual abuse.’
Lisa Hackett, Frontline: ‘This discussion has brought into sharp focus the evolving risks facing children and young people today — particularly the risk of sexual abuse. We know that it is uncomfortable to have such raw discussions, but it is so important that, as professionals, we continue to have these conversations and implement them into our work. We all need to commit to this so that children we support are properly protected from sexual abuse.’
The event hosted in BT’s Whitechapel offices, was the second of the Frontline Presents series, in which the children’s charity, Frontline, welcomes experts to talk on specific topics affecting children at risk of harm or professionals supporting them.