This highly accessible and practical book not only focuses on enhancing awareness of CSA, but most importantly how to facilitate conversations with children to help them disclose and talk about abuse, and how to respond effectively. Key messages at the end of each chapter and the focus on personal qualities of professionals that help promote trust in children that have been betrayed, are invaluable in helping all those working with children and young people to provide a non-judgemental and respectful environment in which children can break the silence, secrecy and shame of abuse. This book is a welcome addition to understanding CSA and an indispensable tool for all those working with children and who are committed to giving them a voice.
Christiane Sanderson, Author of 'Counselling Skills for Working with Shame' and 'Counselling Skills for Working with Trauma' For too long we have failed to recognise the early warning signs that a child may be sexually abused, placing the onus on the child to 'disclose' their experience of sexual abuse, rather than on the practitioner to recognise the signs that the abuse is occurring. This book helps us to challenge these failures, to better understand the nature of child sexual abuse and to help children explain what has happened to them. It is essential reading for all those working to protect children from sexual abuse.
Jenny Pearce, Professor of Young People and Public Policy, University of Bedfordshire