3.3 Child Sexual Abuse
Contents
Child Sexual Abuse Strategy and Toolkit
The Child Sexual Abuse Toolkit has been developed by Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton (HIPS) Safeguarding Children Partnerships.
The HIPS Child Sexual Abuse Strategy has been produced to support a co-ordinated approach to preventing child sexual abuse (CSA), and improve the identification, protection, and support for victims, survivors, and their families. It has been created to improve the ways in which children’s needs and risks are understood, recognised and responded to.
The information in this Toolkit reflects the Strategy which has been developed to support all professionals who work with children and young people and their families. The material is free to access and available to all practitioners from any agency/organisation in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight areas.
CSA medical examinations
Medical assessments for children are child-friendly and child-led. They should be considered in all instances of suspected child sexual abuse where direct contact may have occurred. They are provided to address health needs, reassure children and their families, answer health questions, address wider medical safeguarding needs and sometimes to provide forensic information e.g. by detection of injuries or on external swabs to look for DNA.
It is important that children are referred as soon as possible after disclosure (same day where possible). Referrals for a specialist medical can be made only via police or children’s services. Paediatricians are happy to advise professionals.
Please see the links below for contact details and pathways, referral forms and patient leaflets:
Download the guide to medical examinations in suspected child sexual abuse (CSA).
Download the HIPS pathway for pregnancy in children under the age of 13.
Download the HIPS CP medical request form
CSA medical leaflet for children and carers