Those most at risk of sexual abuse are those who are least able to tell anyone what is happening. This includes children with disabilities, those who are yet able to speak, and those who don’t understand what is happening to them.
It can be harrowing to think of children being sexually abused, and as practitioners working with some of our most vulnerable in society, we must have the knowledge and information to protect them.
The NSPCC estimate that between 80-98% of children are abused by someone they know, someone they trust, someone that might have targeted them specifically. They estimate that about 1000 children under 5 are victims of sexual abuse each year.
The Internet Watch Foundation in 2020 stated that there were 9,923 online reports showing sexual abuse of children aged two and younger.
These figures are striking and whilst some of these children don’t access any sort of provision, when they do it is for those working with them to notice the signs, symptoms, and be the voice of the child when they can’t speak for themselves.
How Early Years Children may be risk
Any child is at risk of sexual abuse, boys and girls equally, just as perpetrators can be female as well as male, and young and old. Abusers work to gain the trust of a child by building a relationship and emotional attachment with them, known as grooming, and with very young children intra-familial grooming is the most common type.
Psychologist Christiane Sanderson explains 'very young children look to adults to make sense of the world and if they are told sexual activity between children and adults is normal they will believe this and normalise (it). In addition, very young children are not able to normalise their experiences, reducing the risk of disclosure.'
The extended family of a very young child may also be groomed, resulting in signs going unnoticed or accepted. A person who grooms and manipulates can often portray as fun, charming and liked by all. Abusers can be very clever in the way they operate and take advantage of young people and adults alike.
Things to look out for in Early Years Settings
Alongside the wealth of information accessible on our website in relation to sexual abuse, there is additional information for Early Years -
The EYFS (3.6) states that signs of possible abuse and neglect may include:
- significant changes in children’s behaviour
- deterioration in children’s general well-being
- unexplained bruising, marks or signs of possible abuse or neglect
- children’s comments which give cause for concern
- any reasons to suspect neglect or abuse outside the setting, for example in the child’s home or that a girl may have been subjected to (or is at risk of) female genital mutilation and/or
- inappropriate behaviour displayed by other members of staff, or any other person working with the children, for example: inappropriate sexual comments; excessive one-to-one attention beyond the requirements of their usual role and responsibilities; or inappropriate sharing of images.
Some other things to look out for in young children –
- Uses words for private body parts that are not age appropriate, or are unusual
- Resists removal of clothes at appropriate times such as toileting or messy play
- Asks other children to engage with them sexually or play sexual games
- Mimics adult-like sexual behaviours with toys, dolls, or stuffed animals
- Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training
- Talking about secrets and things they mustn’t do or say
- Flinching or not responding to a particular adult, or becoming distressed in their presence
These signs are not an exhaustive list, and they are not absolute proof of abuse, but must be taken seriously.
What can Early Years Settings do?
- Ensure staff have regular, appropriate and relevant safeguarding training and CPD.
- Ensure staff have regular supervisions.
- Understand and demonstrate good keyworker knowledge for each child to properly safeguard them.
- Utilise NSPCC PANTS resources and share them with parents, and children (with parental consent).
- Encourage open discussion around age-appropriate boundaries and respect.
- Know how to raise concerns and what to do to follow them up.
- Have effective safeguarding policies and procedures in place.
- If a child is suspected to have been sexually abused, you must not discuss it with parents, carers, or anyone involved with the child, and an immediate referral must be made.
