Understanding the non-abusing mother/partner: Did she know? Is she safe?

Assessment and intervention with non-offending parents of sexually abused children within the context of the offender knowledge and the implications for child protection decision-making

Course overview

In cases of child sexual abuse the child protection decision-making process brings the non-abusing parent into a focal position. For child protection purposes the question has been asked: "Did she know?" Where there is silence, denial and minimising by the offender, this can often feel unhelpful and inappropriately accusatory, creating difficulties for both client and professionals working with the family.

Course aims

• To provide information about the different patterns, profiles and distorted belief systems of sex offenders and the differing impacts on the protective partner/mother
  
  
• To apply this to our understanding of the responses of the protective mother/partner/carer to disclosure
  
  
• To use offender knowledge to provide a framework for risk assessment of the mother/partner, building on the Department of Health assessment guidelines
  
  
• To use this knowledge to help engage with women as the beginnings of their empowerment to protect in the future
  
  
• To consider the implications for intervention with mothers/partners

For further information and to discuss your individual needs please contact the Training Co-ordinator on 01527 591922 or email: training@lucyfaithfull.org.uk