Sexual abuse

Course

Child sexual assault and the forensic examination (Level 3+) – London

20 March 2025

London

This two day in-person course is designed to equip paediatricians with both the technical and forensic skills to obtain high quality samples, and the knowledge and understanding of the physical, emotional and procedural considerations of managing children who have experienced suspected sexual assaul...

Safeguarding

Child protection

Sexual abuse

News

RCPCH responds to the Home Office’s announcement on Mandatory Reporting of child sexual abuse

22 February 2024

The Home Office has announced that the Government intends to introduce mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse in England and Wales.

News

RCPCH responds to EHRC report ‘Children’s rights in Great Britain’

25 January 2023

Equality and Human Rights Commission’s report to the United Nations raises a number of concerns on the health, wellbeing and living standards of children in England and Wales.

Resource

Improving forensic services for victims of sexual assault in Scotland - consultation response

In May 2019 the RCPCH Child Protection Subcommittee (Scotland) responded to Equally Safe, a consultation on legislation to improve forensic medical services for victims of rape and sexual assault.

Safeguarding

Child protection

Sexual abuse

Resource

Child sexual assault pathway for Scotland- consultation response

In August 2019 we responded to the Scottish Government's consultation on its Clinical Pathway for Children and young People who have disclosed sexual abuse.

Resource

Safeguarding children and young people - roles and competencies

To protect children and young people from harm, and help improve their wellbeing, all healthcare staff must have the competencies to recognise child maltreatment, opportunities to improve childhood wellbeing and to take effective action as appropriate to their role.

Looked after children

Resource

Emotional abuse and emotional neglect - online learning

These can be some of the hardest issues for health and social care professionals to deal with in terms of safeguarding children. Being able to recognise and manage emotional abuse and neglect in a coordinated multiagency approach can ensure children get the help and support they need.

Safeguarding

Child protection

Sexual abuse

Resource

Exploitation of children and young people - online learning

Children and young people are at risk of exploitation in a growing number of ways. To help keep them safe, health and social care professionals need to understand how this can happen, the different types of exploitation children may be exposed to, the signs to look out for and what can be done to mi...

Safeguarding

Child protection

Sexual abuse

Product

Physical signs of child sexual abuse ('Purple book') - digital version coming soon

This outlines good practice on the paediatric forensic examination where there are concerns about child sexual abuse. It also provides an evidence-based review of the interpretation of physical signs.

Safeguarding

Child protection

Sexual abuse

Topic page

Child protection and safeguarding

Child protection plays a role in everything we do as child health professionals, and is about protecting individual children identified as suffering, or likely to suffer, significant harm as a result of abuse or neglect. Our main resource for members is our Child Protection Portal. View links from h...