IMARA - Who are we and what do we do?

An unique early Intervention service following disclosure of sexual abuse and VRI with Nottinghamshire Police Referrals come directly from the Police and within the city boundaries Work with families and young people throughout the process of the Criminal Justice Service. We provide therapy, pre and post trial, advocacy and legal help. The clients we work with are often family members of the abused, who have often been abused themselves, as well the referred person. Recovery is long term and goes on into adulthood.

The Focus Group Disclosure What a difference professionals could have made/missed opportunities Promoting Prevention Allow young people to have a voice

What blocks a disclosure? FEAR of…

It’s all your fault

Grooming and level of grooming – too much focus on disclosure and abuse and not enough understanding of grooming.

Child feels responsible

S/he loves me, s/he loves me not

Distraction

Liar, Liar…….

Protection of siblings

NSPCC research Research from the NSPCC shows that on average it takes 7 years for a child to disclose abuse. The Children’s Commissioner states that for every 1 child that does disclose, there will be 7 others that don’t. What does this mean in your schools and classrooms? There is a huge level of cost to society involving Child Sexual Abuse.

‘What a difference professionals could have made.’

A survivor of sexual abuse states….. ‘Remembering now, all these things from school – there was so much wrong in my behaviours that recurred, where I was just screaming out for someone to notice/to do something – I knew I had no damn power to change things, but I know somewhere I hoped they did and could. But they never used it if they did.’

Unheard Voices

The age and gender of victims Victims of abuse tend to disclose at the age of 12 yrs The average age of abuse taking place is 9 - 10yrs There is an additional pressure on males as it carries a ‘heavier’ stigma Children’s Commissioner Inquiry into Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment

Prevention not treatment

To look at prevention not just early intervention and post trial work This would encourage a universal language in professionals to help children speak out – ‘I had a constant rehearsal in my head’ client IMARA would like to look at prevention and understanding of grooming for adults and children. Language

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A basic level of Neuroscience knowledge is needed for all professionals working with young people

The Amygdala and Cortisol

Window of Tolerance

Exercise Thinking of the Window of Tolerance, think of a child you work with and discuss with your partner……. What ‘behaviours’ do you see and think about? How would school/staff respond to this?

The Making Noise Project - Children’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. Bedfordshire University Who are they most likely to tell?

Their friends

Their Mum’s. Can be met with further guilt, or not being believed

Generational abuse

Children’s experience of specialist services “Gives me confidence” “I now know this happens to other people” Changing workers – very disruptive Long process and so many questions “I wish I’d never told anyone’

Children’s experience of therapeutic input “Made me feel validated, believed and understood” “Supported me to make sense of what had happened” Coping mechanisms were useful as was other practical support Helped to challenge the stigma around abuse Stopped me to feel so isolated Helped me to build confidence and resilience Helpful to see how far I’ve come, when my worker reminded me of my progress

"Child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic "Child sexual abuse is a silent epidemic...if this were Ebola, the whole world would shut down and yet we’re not talking about this. Where are the bracelets? Where are the ribbons? Where is the race to the cure for this disease?...If silence is a predator’s best friend, if shame and denial are the ingredients that help this epidemic to grow, then how can any of us stay silent? ...maybe instead of just focusing on how uncomfortable this conversation is, we could focus on how this is an opportunity to have courage... because there are kids out there that are counting on us to have this conversation“ Jill Tolles – University of Nevada