Commenting on the National Panel’s new national learning review on child sexual abuse in the family environment, Andy Smith, President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services, said:

“The findings of this review are a difficult, but necessary read. It sheds light on the true scale of the challenges faced in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse in the family environment (CSAFE) and the impact it has on children’s lives. Children do not always feel able to tell someone they are being abused so we all need to be aware of the signs and symptoms and know how to respond effectively to safeguard them and then repair the harm they have suffered.

“Prevention must be the ultimate goal to ensure that no child is subject to abuse. We need tackle this issue as a collective, with the full commitment of central and local government, all child protection agencies, voluntary organisations and the wider community. Directors and their local authorities are committed to working with our partners to ensure the right safeguards are in place to prevent child sexual abuse in all its forms so that all children are able to lead safe and happy childhoods.”
  
ENDS