Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service

What is the Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service?

The Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service aims to reduce the harmful effects of sexual abuse on children and their future. The service assists children to manage trauma and educates them about social skills and strategies to enable them to be safe and establish non-abusive relationships. It teaches parents to recognise the symptoms and effects of sexual abuse against children and how to provide support for their child’s healing.

Counselling is available for children and their non-offending family members. This includes:

• Children ages 5 to 18 who have suffered sexual abuse
• Children ages 5 to 18 who are exhibiting sexualised behaviours
• Children ages 5 to 18 who have committed sexual abuse against others
• Non-offending siblings and carers who have been affected by the sexual abuse or behaviour of a child who has been referred to the service

All counsellors are qualified and trained specifically to work with children who have experienced sexual abuse. Counselling takes place in a safe, secure and supportive environment. Children are provided with a space to explore their feelings and ask questions about sexual abuse.

Counsellors can help parents with practical solutions to common problems such as bed wetting, nightmares and defiance, which may stem from abuse a child may have experienced.

Counselling is flexible, and strategies are tailored to each individual child to ensure they receive the support they need most.

Anglicare WA aims to provide immediate assistance to children who have suffered sexual abuse and to prevent the tragic long-term consequences and effects that such abuse can have if left unmanaged.

How can the Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service be accessed?

We welcome referrals from the community. Any child or young person who has experienced sexual harm or is engaging in harmful sexual behaviours can access the service. If the needs of your family fall outside the scope of the service, we work with you to find an appropriate alternative service. We also work with families who are currently utilising the services of the Department of Communities.

Referrals from community, government or private practitioners are encouraged. To engage in a therapeutic recovery service, the child or young person’s safety needs will be given paramount importance.

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Acknowledgements

The Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service is funded by the Department for Child Protection.