Sexual abuse toolkit: parent and carer support
Information and support for parents
Hertfordshire child sex exploitation website
The website offers information and advice to young people, parents and professionals about child sexual exploitation, including how to spot the signs of abuse and what to do if you suspect someone is being exploited.
Hertfordshire County Council: Child sex exploitation
HertsSARC
The Herts SARC (Sexual Assault Referral Centre) offers free support and practical help to anyone in Hertfordshire who experiencing sexual violence and/or sexual abuse. The team includes specially trained independent sexual violence advisors who will support those who have been assaulted.
Herts Rape Crisis
This organisation provides a free and confidential service to women aged 18 and over who live in Hertfordshire and have been raped or sexually abused or assaulted at any time in their lives. It also supports families and friends who are supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Herts Sunflower
This is Hertfordshire’s domestic abuse support network. It provides free and confidential support for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
PACE
Parents Against Child Exploitation (PACE) support parents and carers whose children are being exploited by offenders outside of the family.
Barnardos
Information for adults on what is sexual abuse and advice on talking to your child about their worries.
Children's Commissioner
A guide for parents on how to talk to children about online sexual harassment. The guide includes tips from young people about how parents can open up earlier conversations about sexual harassment, nudes, sexualised bullying, photo editing, body image and peer pressure. A list of organisations is provided for further help and support.
Children's Commissioner: Talking to your child about online sexual harassment: A guide for parents
Stop Abuse Together
A new government resource to help keep children and young people safer from sexual abuse. Most children won’t tell anyone at the time of their abuse. That’s why it’s important for everyone to know how to spot the potential signs of child sexual abuse and where to go for support if concerned. The Stop Abuse Together website can help parents and carers learn to spot the signs, have regular conversations with their child which can help keep them safer, and know when it’s right to reach out for more support.
Intervention and prevention
National Crime Agency
The National Crime Agency is a national law enforcement agency in the United Kingdom. It is the UK's lead agency against organised crime; human, weapon and drug trafficking; cyber-crime and economic crime that goes across regional and international borders.
Stop it now
This is a resource to prevent harmful sexual behaviour.
Stopitnow: Preventing harmful sexual behaviour
Thinkuknow
Thinkuknow is the education programme from NCA-CEOP, a UK organisation which protects children both online and offline. There is a parent section for parental support.
Triple P - Positive parenting programme
The Positive Parenting Program helps parents:
- raise happy, confident kids
- manage misbehaviour so everyone in the family enjoys life more
- set rules and routines that everyone respects and follows
- encourage behaviour you like
- take care of yourself as a parent
- feel confident you’re doing the right thing
To listen, watch or read
Kathy Weston 'Get a grip' podcast
Kathy talks with Child Constable Simon Bailey about child abuse and harassment within the UK - what parents should do.
Apple podcasts: Kathy Weston Get a Grip podcast: episode 70
Clemmie Telford's podcast ' But why?'
Clemmie has a two part series on her podcast about child abuse with the National Crime Agency.
Spotify: Clemmie Telford's podcast ' But Why?: Part 1; Part 2
Everyday Sexism
Laura Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project. This book is a collection of stories of gender inequality and gives a voice to the protest against sexism.
Everyday sexism - Laura Bates,
Laura Bates: Ted Talk
A Ted Talk on sexual harassment and challenging societal norms.