A pioneering NSPCC service tackling ‘inadequate’ care for child sex abuse victims in Croydon has shown their programme reduces the amount of time children spend in treatment for trauma.
The study has revealed that the number of children requiring treatment for emotional trauma from sexual abuse diminished following courses with social work professionals.
Letting the Future in, provides care for sexual abuse sufferers between the ages of four and 17.
Sue Schofield, Croydon service centre manager, said: “We are delighted to offer this vital service in Croydon and the findings are promising indications that Letting the Future In can significantly reduce the highest level of trauma experienced by children who have been sexually abused.”
Croydon is one of the 18 centres in the UK that provides the service, which focuses on creative ventures such as painting, storytelling and drawing.
The treatment is designed to help victims express themselves and feel comfortable discussing their experiences with specially trained staff.
The NSPCC conducted a survey of professionals at the end of last year and found that access to care for sexual abuse victims was ‘inadequate’, suggesting their treatment programme is a step in the right direction.
Their findings suggest that those receiving the highest amount of support for trauma fell from 73% to 46% after six months among children aged eight or over.
Similarly, numbers of those who struggled with the intervention or dropped out from the programme was reduced by 17%.
The study also focused on children under the age of eight nationally, though there was little to suggest that improvements had been made after six months.
After one year, however, results show that those who spent longer with the service saw the number of children needing care drop from 89% to 40%.
The cost of the treatment is estimated at around £2,300 per case covering around 20 sessions. This includes management costs, staff training and supervision.
Picture courtesy of Dim Sum!, with thanks
