Position statement: Strategy for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse 2026 to 2036, Welsh Government
What are the main points?
- Prevention: stopping abuse before it happens through awareness raising and education about healthy relationships.
- Protecting children when there are concerns:ensuring professionals work together quickly and effectively when concerns are raised about a child’s safety.
- Supporting children and families: providing timely access to counselling, therapy and support for children who have experienced abuse, along with their parents, carers and siblings.
- Supporting adult survivors: providing ongoing help for adults who were abused as children, whenever they need it.
- An accompanying three-year delivery plan sets out specific actions, including awareness campaigns, improved training, and strengthened support services.
EXPERT THOUGHT
Dawn Bowden, Minister for children and social care, Welsh Government
‘The strategy recognises that child sexual abuse occurs across multiple contexts, both online and offline, within families, institutions, peer groups and communities. It promotes shared understanding, clear roles and responsibilities, and timely information sharing.’
Image | ISTOCK
