Child sexual abuse

Support following sexual abuse or exploitation

If you have been sexually abused or exploited, it’s important to remember it’s not your fault. Support services are available to you whenever and wherever the offence occurred. It is never too early or too late to ask for help and you’ll always be believed. 

We recognise that child sexual abuse can have significant impacts on victims and their families, but support is available. 

Through support services you can: 

• tell someone what happened 
• get help to access further support 
• get support through the criminal justice system 
• get emotional support, including from trained counsellors and therapists 
• get help to access medical care

Support for you  

There are lots of ways you can get help. You don’t have to report a crime to the police to get the support you need. Support is free and confidential. 

If you are a child who wants to talk to someone anonymously, you can contact Childline: 

• You can send a message – https://www.childline.org.uk/ 
• You can contact by phone – 0800 1111 – or chat online 

Find a range of support organisations and resources

Find contact details for a list of services tailored to supporting children, adults, parents and carers.

There are a number of organisations available. You can choose whichever feels right for you.

Support for parents or guardians 

Non-abusing parents are not to blame for child sexual abuse.  

We recognise that non-abusing parents may wish to seek support, both for themselves and in order to support their children. Support from non-abusing parents can play an important role in a child’s recovery.  

Find contact details for a list of services, just filter by support for parents and carers.

Some organisations in this list also offer tailored support to parents and carers – Victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation and abuse: sources of support – GOV.UK

Reporting child sexual abuse 

If you are being harmed 

If you are being harmed, or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999.  

• You can use the non-emergency number to report a crime on 101. 

• You can go to a police station and ask to speak to someone in private. You can have someone with you, but they must be over 18 years old. 
• You can tell someone else you trust, such as a teacher, school nurse, counsellor or GP. They have a legal duty to take steps to ensure you are safe, so they may have to share information with other professionals. This may include children’s social care and/or the police.   
• You can ask a victim support service to report the crime for you. It will be up to you if you want this to be done anonymously. This may limit the powers of the police to investigate, but it could still help them join up related crimes. 
• Where cases have been reported, the police and the social worker may want to speak to you about what happened. You do not have to speak to them and you can change your mind at any time.    

Your needs will always be considered. Everyone involved will act in your best interests so that you receive the care and support you need.  

If you have concerns about a child 

• If a child you know is being harmed, or in immediate danger of being harmed, call the police on 999 
• You can contact the police on the non-emergency number 101. 
• If you think a child or young person is being abused or neglected, you can contact the children’s social care team at your local council. Report child abuse to a local council – GOV.UK 
• If you are unsure what to do, you can contact the NSPCC Helpline for advice at 08088005000 or help@nspcc.org.uk, or via the Helpline page on the NSPCC website.

Investigation 

The police will ask for your permission to interview you about what has happened. This is to help them investigate. 

The police will explain why they would like to interview you. They will discuss your options, including:  

• Whether to go ahead with the interview. 
• Having your statement video recorded so that you only need to tell them what happened once. 
• Providing a written statement instead if you prefer.  

You will be interviewed by a specially trained police officer and social worker where possible. 

You may be offered a medical examination. This can help the police obtain the right evidence for your case. It will also make sure that you have any medical help you need. If you are under 16, your parent or guardian must agree for this to take place. If you are 16 or over, you can agree to this yourself, but your parent or guardian should also be asked if they agree. 

You might decide not to give any more information to the police. If so, children’s social care should continue to make sure you are safe.

Going to court 

When an offender is charged, the case will go to court. You will be told about the time and location of any hearings, and about what happened. If the case goes to trial, you can get support for this process. The police will pass your details to the Witness Service. They will be in touch before the trial starts and can answer your questions about what will happen. You can visit the court to see what it’s like before the trial. The Witness Service will help you all the way through until the case is over.  

It’s likely you’ll need to give evidence in court. If needed, you can also ask for extra support to help you give your best evidence.  These are called ‘special measures’ and can include to: 

• Pre-record your evidence in a video interview 
• Pre-record your cross examination by video before the trial 
• Give evidence via live link from outside the courtroom 
• Give evidence from behind a screen. You would only see and be seen by: 
  • The judge 
  • Lawyers 
  • Court staff 
  • Your Witness Service representative, if you have one 
• Have an intermediary to support you to understand or answer questions 

Special measures can support you to give your best evidence but you don’t have to have them if you do not want to.  

There are videos you can watch that explain what happens at court. 

• Watch the video for older children on going to court. 
• Watch the video for younger children on going to court. 

If you’re a parent or guardian, you may have questions on how best to support a child to give evidence in court. Find more information at: I’m a parent of a young victim or witness – Victim and Witness Information

After the trial 

Going through a trial can be very difficult, and support is still available after court.  

You might be able to join the Victim Contact Scheme. If you do, you’ll be kept updated on what’s happening with the offender after they go to prison.  Depending on your age, your parent or guardian might be given this information on your behalf. They can then decide what details to share with you.  

You can also give your thoughts on any rules they need to follow when they come out of prison (known as licence conditions). 

Find more information in this guide on what happens after a rape or sexual assault trial.