Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
The UK Government defines child sexual abuse as: “forcing or enticing a child or young person [under the age of 18] to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse.
Pathway
West Yorkshire Police – Partnership Intelligence Portal
Background:
- Designed to offer a simple internet based portal, to give key strategic partners the opportunity to submit information to a central police triage team.
- It is not designed to replace any current referral mechanisms in place; you must continue as per agreed service level agreements.
- The portal is there to submit the information that is routinely gathered by partners, we are not asking for any additional work on your behalf.
- It is for information about criminality that you feel would be of interest to West Yorkshire Police.
Contact details:
Intelligence Management Unit.
Email – XC.PIPaccess@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
To request access:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/intelligence-portal-request-form
Proposed process:
- Partner agency gathers information and assesses that it is pertinent to West Yorkshire Police.
- Access the portal and complete the intuitive screens.
Access to the partnership portal:
- Each partner will be given one log on to the portal, it will be shared amongst as many staff as that partnership deems appropriate.
- There will be a shared password within the organisation.
- Access will need:
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- Internet access.
- A shared email mailbox account.
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How it works:
Access to a unique URL will be given to each partner organisation that signs up to using the portal.
That URL provides access to the portal; this access can be shared within an organisation to whoever you feel it most appropriate.
There will be one shared log on, one shared password per organisation – this is to manage a simple administration process for both partner and the police.
National Resources
- Supporting Parents and Carers: A guide for those working with families affected by child sexual abuse (csacentre.org.uk)
- Managing Risk and Trauma – CSA Centre
National Support Organisations:
- NSPCC helpline: Call 0800 136 663, or help@nspcc.org.uk Opening hours: Mon to Fri 8am – 10pm or 9am – 6pm at the weekends.
- Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk
- Mind:https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/abuse/all-types-of-abuse
- The Survivors Trust: https://www.thesurvivorstrust.org/find-support
Useful resources
- NSPCC Pants
- Child’s play? Preventing abuse among children and young people
- Parents Protect! is part of the Lucy Faithful Foundation who provide resources, publications, posters and other awareness raising material that will help everyone prevent child sexual abuse.
- The Lucy Faithfull Foundation | Preventing Child Sex Abuse
- Online CSA leaflets for suspects, young people, friends and family
Legislation and National Guidance:
- Working together to safeguard children 2023: statutory guidance (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- Keeping children safe in education 2023 (publishing.service.gov.uk)
- Ofsted – Review of Sexual Abuse in Schools and Colleges (2021)
Training
You might also be interested in…
Links to Training
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