Understanding best practice and the role of professionals in preventing child sexual abuse and harmful sexual behaviours

Educating children about sexual abuse, by increasing their knowledge and skills, is an effective way to prevent child sexual abuse. Equally importantly, adults working in educational settings, such as educators, administrators and policy makers, must be well equipped with an understanding about their role in protecting children and implementing proper policies and practices to reduce the risk of sexual abuse. Educators have a responsibility to protect and prevent sexual abuse but also report any observations or disclosures of abuse by children, and to foster a safe environment within education settings. To achieve this goal, there is a need to understand what good practice looks like in education settings, to ensure that all staff are meeting the necessary requirements and following the rules to keep children safe in their care.