We launched our Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation online resource last week for caseworkers. Residential workers, supervisors and managers of houses, therapeutic specialists, and leaders in out-of-home and restorative care. The New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice commissioned the Centre for Excellence in Therapeutic Care to create a training program on Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation. This program was divided into two parts. It comprises eight online modules and a resource kit to help young people.
We show in the Responding To Child Sexual Exploitation training that there are no universal characteristics for all children and young people involved in sexual exploitation. Some victims have a history of child sexual abuse. Others are missing. They may also be addicted to drugs or alcohol. These are all consistent variables that allow us to determine what kind of vulnerabilities, coercions, and circumstances make it possible for sexual exploitation to occur in the lives of children and young people New Fish.
Although it may seem counterintuitive, the behavior is the solution to the problem. This is true. Remember that therapeutic (relationship-based care) workers must identify the child’s or young person’s needs. These needs, which are being met by a child’s or young person’s sexual exploitation, will assist in determining the appropriate interventions and help us build/build the resources necessary to allow them to break free of the exploitation relationship.
This recognition allows us to offer a better therapeutic service to the child/young person. It is more likely to address their unmet needs, enable them to withdraw from abusive or exploitative relationships, and connect with others who can provide safe and nurturing relationships. The Safe Connections Resource Kit and Responding to Sexual Exploitation will give you a great understanding of the issues involved and resources that can be used to help you work with young people.
Working with children and youth victims of child sexual abuse is challenging in residential care. Some cases can make us feel emotionally exhausted, hopeless, and ineffective as practitioners. Recognizing that the behavior is not the problem, but the solution can improve our self-worth and self-worth. It can also reduce vicarious traumatization. This will decrease hopelessness and cynicism. And most importantly, we give hope and trust for the future safety and well-being of the young people we care for.
As they grow up, children learn about everything. This includes healthy and natural sexual exploration. Children learn about their bodies, gender roles, behaviors, and relationships. Between 40 and 85% will have some form of sexual activity by age 13. It is usual for children to explore their childhood curiosity with other children of the same period, development, and size sexually. Children can learn about others and themselves through games like “playing doctor” and “spin a bottle.” This is typical of childhood sexual development.