Protecting disabled children from sexual abuse

Episode 20,   Nov 11, 2019, 09:33 AM

The NSPCC recently funded a study that looks at parents’ and carers’ views about working together to protect disabled children from sexual abuse, including those with learning and communication needs. A total of 30 parents and carers were interviewed by Sarah Goff, Safeguarding Disabled Children Services Manager at the Ann Craft Trust who, along with colleagues Anita Franklin and Alex Toft, wrote the report.

Joining us for this episode, Sarah discusses:

  • our report findings including the key issues for parents and carers
  • the need for accessible relationships and sex education for children and young people with disabilities
  • how parents and carers can work with schools to provide children with consistent messages around relationships and sex education
  • involving children, young people and their parents and carers in the development of services and approaches to preventing sexual abuse
Read the podcast transcript on the NSPCC Learning website.

💬 About the speakers

Sarah Goff is Safeguarding Disabled Children Services Manager at the Ann Craft Trust. She carries out research; delivers training to agencies and local safeguarding children partnerships; and, provides consultancy to organisations about safeguarding disabled children. Her recent work has focused on seeking the views of disabled children and young people placed away from home; the experiences of deaf and disabled children and young people facing domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation; and, developing training to support practitioners in keeping children safe.

📚 Related resources

> Read more about safeguarding children and young people with SEND


> Download our resources for young people aged 11 to 25 with learning disabilities


> Browse our PANTS guides for children with learning disabilities


> Read more about how you can protect children from sexual abuse


Intro/outro music is Lights by Sappheiros