The Child Sexual Abuse Therapy Service aims to reduce the harmful effects of sexual abuse on children. The service assists children to manage trauma, and educates them about social skills and strategies that enable them to be safe and establish non-abusive relationships. It teaches parents to recognise the symptoms and effects of sexual abuse against children, and how to provide support for their child's healing.
The service offers counselling to children and their non-offending family members.
All counsellors are qualified and trained specifically to work with children who have experienced sexual abuse. Counselling takes place is a safe, secure and supportive environment. The children are provided with a space to explore their feelings and ask questions about sexual abuse. Counsellors can help clients to examine and discuss practical solutions to common problems such as bed wetting, nightmares and behavioural defiance, which may stem from any sexual abuse a child may have experienced. Counselling is flexible, and strategies will be tailored to each individual child.
Anglicare WA hopes to provide immediate assistance to children who have suffered sexual abuse, and to prevent the tragic long term consequences and effects that such abuse can have if left unmanaged.