Effectiveness of Services for Sexually Abused Children and Young People. Report 3: Perspectives of Service Users with Learning Difficulties or Experience of Care

By Anita Franklin, Louise Bradley and Geraldine Brady

This report sets out the findings from a study commissioned by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre),as part of a suite of work to expand the evidence base on how best to assess the effectiveness of services responding to child sexual abuse (CSA). Research has shown that children and young people who are in care or leaving care, and those who have learning difficulties, are particularly vulnerable to sexual abuse. Establishing what works in terms of interventions for these groups is a research priority for the CSA Centre; accordingly, Coventry University was commissioned to undertake interviews with a sample of 10 young people with learning difficulties, and a further 10 young people with experience of being in care, who had accessed CSA support services. The sample of young people was identified and recruited by CSA services across England and Wales. Those who were in or had left care included those in foster care, kinship care, supported accommodation and residential care. The young people identified by CSA services as having learning difficulties included some with autism, Asperger’s or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); others who needed significant support at school; and some who had learning needs associated with their trauma.

Ilford, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2019. 40p.