Sexual abuse and assault
1-minute read
Follow the links below to find trusted information about sexual abuse and assault.
Last reviewed: May 2018
Need more information?
These trusted information partners have more on this topic.
Top results
Protect your child from sexual abuse - NT.GOV.AU
Find out more about protecting your child from sexual abuse.
Read more on NT Health website
Sexual assault information for men
There are specific issues that affect men who have been sexually assaulted or abused.
Read more on WA Health website
Sexual assault support | Abuse and violence | ReachOut Australia
If youve been sexually assaulted, you can get help and support.
Read more on ReachOut.com website
What is sexual assault? | Abuse and violence | ReachOut Australia
If youve been sexually assaulted, you might experience a range of emotions and its important to know there are support services that can help you.
Read more on ReachOut.com website
What to do if you want to report sexual assault to the police
You may decide you want to report the sexual assault or sexual abuse to the police. This is an individual decision which only you can make.
Read more on WA Health website
Common myths about sexual assault
There are many myths and untruths about sexual assault and sexual abuse. These are often disguised as facts or are community held beliefs. These myths can make it hard for people to recover because they tend to blame the victim and defend the perpetrator.
Read more on WA Health website
Offensive and illegal content complaints | Office of the eSafety Commissioner
Investigating complaints about potential illegal online material and working toward the rapid reporting and removal of online child sexual abuse material.
Read more on Office of the eSafety Commissioner website
Teen Health - Health Topics - Surviving sexual abuse
Sexual abuse is a serious crime and can have many short and long term effects on a victim or survivor. The effects of sexual abuse are not the same for every person. People may feel a variety of emotions that depend on their own circumstances.
Read more on Women's and Children's Health Network website
Child sexual assault: protecting your child - myDr.com.au
Child sexual assault: how to help protect your child; signs of child sexual assault; and what to do if you suspect child sexual assault.
Read more on myDr website
Sexual assault TINO : Tune In Not Out
Sexual assault is not OK. There is no excuse. Sexual assault can cover a wide range of unwanted sexual behaviour.
Read more on Tune In Not Out website
Top results
School-based programmes for the prevention of child sexual abuse | Cochrane
School-based education programmes for the prevention of child sexual abuse have been implemented on a large scale in some countries. We reviewed the evidence for the effectiveness of these programmes in the following areas: (i) children's skills in protective behaviours; (ii) children's knowledge of child sexual abuse prevention concepts; (iii) children's retention of protective behaviours over time; (iv) children's retention of knowledge over time; (v) parental or child anxiety or fear as a result of programme participation; and (vi) disclosures of past or current child sexual abuse during or after programmes. The evidence is current to September 2014.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Cognitive behavioural interventions for children who have been sexually abused | Cochrane
The sexual abuse of children is a substantial social problem that affects large numbers of children and young people worldwide. For many children, though not all, it can result in a range of psychological and behavioural problems, some of which can continue into adulthood. Knowing what is most likely to benefit children already traumatised by these events is important. This review aimed to find out if cognitive-behavioural approaches (CBT) help reduce the negative impact of sexual abuse on children. Ten studies, in which a total of 847 children participated, met the inclusion criteria for the review. The reporting of studies was poor, and there appear to be significant weaknesses in study quality. The evidence suggests that CBT may have a positive impact on the effects of child sexual abuse, including depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety, but the results were generally modest. Implications for practice and further research are noted.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Sexual assault policies and procedures - Integrated Violence Abuse and Neglect
NSW Health delivers a range of programs to reduce the harm and impact of child abuse and neglect, sexual assault and domestic violence.
Read more on NSW Health website
Impacts of child abuse on individuals and communities
Blue Knot Foundation presents the ways childhood trauma and abuse affects individuals and communities in terms of cost, health issues and daily functioning.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
School-based programmes for preventing child sex abuse may improve knowledge and self-protective behaviours but also increase anxiety; further research is needed | Cochrane
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Clinical Practices - Adult Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Conducted by Nurse Examiners - NSW Health
Clinical Practices - Adult Sexual Assault Forensic Examinations Conducted by Nurse Examiners , This policy directive sets out the implementation of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner program for NSW Health. The aims of this model are: to expand the pool of practitioners able to respond to the needs of victims of sexual assault; respond in a timely manner to the needs of victims of sexual assault particularly in rural NSW and; reduce the need for victims to travel excessive distances for forensic examinations.
Read more on NSW Health website
Combined pharmacotherapy and psychological therapies for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) | Cochrane
PTSD is a potentially debilitating anxiety disorder triggered by exposure to a traumatic experience such as an interpersonal event like physical or sexual assault, exposure to disaster or accidents, combat or witnessing a traumatic event. There are three main clusters of symptoms: firstly, those related to re-experiencing the event; secondly, those related to avoidance and arousal; and thirdly, the distress and impairment caused by the first two symptom clusters.
Read more on Cochrane (Australasian Centre) website
Defines and describes the different types of child abuse
Outlines the signs, types and characteristics of different forms of child abuse - emotional, physical, sexual, organised sexual, neglect & family violence.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Myths about child abuse are common; what are they?
Blue Knot Foundation examines and challenges common myths around child abuse such as its prevalence, perpetrators and effects as children become adults.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
Child abuse has many potential negative impacts
Information helps us to understand the ways child abuse can affect survivors, how and why it affects them and the daily challenges survivors often face.
Read more on Blue Knot Foundation website
