Facing the Unthinkable Challenge – Parenting after Child Sexual Abuse

When a child has been sexually abused, parents and family members often feel overwhelmed, isolated, and uncertain of how to cope. VOCAL have developed an eight-week psychoeducational group program designed to provide information and support for non-offending adult family members.

This one day ‘Train the Trainer’ course is for community and health professionals and others involved in providing support services to non-abusing families affected by child sexual assault. Training covers the essential information, principles and techniques necessary to facilitate the implementation of the program at a local level.

Content:

• Myths and facts about child sexual abuse.
• The effects of trauma on children, parents, other family members, including the late-disclosing child. 
• How to talk to children about the abuse.
• How to help children heal: restoring their sense of safety, self-esteem and competence.
• Support systems: deciding who, when, and how to talk about the abuse.
• How to help families heal: learning to trust again, managing and reducing stress, and recognizing own needs.
• Children’s development: understanding and how trauma may affect children’s development.
• Prevention: helping children to develop healthy boundaries, and talking about safe touch.
• Dealing with the system: police, courts, and therapists.
• Positive collective action.

Outcomes:

• Ability to facilitate psychoeducational support groups for parents of sexually abused children.
• Comprehension of the range of factors and issues relevant to the support of the parent.
• Develop facilitation skills suitable for individual and group learning.
• Ability to plan, prepare and evaluate group sessions.
• Prepare and use appropriate support materials

Participants are provided with a group facilitators manual, (with comprehensive outlines for each session, PowerPoint slides, and handouts), and follow-up support.

Please contact victim support at VOCAL on 4961 4755 to express your interest or reserve your place.