PCC-funded service ‘addresses critical gap’ in support for parents of children recovering from abuse

A first-of-its-kind service in the area equipping parents and caregivers with the emotional skills needed to support their children as they recover from sexual abuse has been praised for improving lives.

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews provided £9,579.43 to Family Action’s Leicestershire Post Sexual Abuse Project to address a critical gap in specialist therapeutic support for parents and caregivers (who are NOT the offender) whose children have suffered sexual abuse.

The project, delivered by highly experienced practitioners, involves weekly online therapeutic group sessions, split into mothers’ and fathers’ groups, supported by weekly one-to-one follow-up calls with the aim of strengthening the emotional capability of parents so they can better respond to their children’s trauma safely.

Through the sessions, parents increase their ability to support their child’s recovery while also reducing their own feelings of isolation, distress and stigma, ultimately building stronger and safer family environments.

Supporting Victims is a key mission in the PCC’s new Police and Crime Plan, with the Commissioner vowing to fund the very best care and support possible.

Among his core commitments is a pledge to commission trauma-informed services with input from those with lived experiences of crime and ensuring these are easily accessible to all, even for those who do not wish to report a crime to the police.

Figures from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) show over 103,000 sexual offences are committed against children every year – a 16% increase in the past five years.

Research undertaken by the Centre of Expertise on Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA Centre) shows that children recover significantly better when parents receive specialist support.

Family Action’s service equips parents to regulate themselves and support their children, helping to prevent further harm.

Such has been its success that there is now a waiting list for children’s post-sexual abuse therapy, with the service meeting demand in a way other projects is not.

Parents are now actively seeking out Family Action’s services before their child even receives therapeutic support, proving its value, while parents are directly improving their child’s outcomes.

Many cases show children no longer require or request therapy because their parent has met their needs.

Police and Crime Commissioner Rupert Matthews said: “So far, this programme has supported 21 parents and there is now a three-month long waiting list for support, demonstrating the high demand for this type of specialist help and increased trust about its impact.

“One of the many successes has been the increased engagement of fathers who have traditionally been harder to reach. The emotional openness and progress for those fathers participating in the programme has exceeded all expectations.

“The impact on both parents and children is far-reaching. By strengthening the emotional capability of parents and caregivers, we are reducing the risk of re-traumatisation, emotional dysregulation and communication breakdowns within the home environment. As a result, children recover more effectively and parents are better equipped at protecting them in the future.”

Parents who have completed the sessions report an increased understanding of the impact of sexual abuse, reduced isolation, increased confidence and improved emotional regulation which in turn makes them better able to support their child and reduce stress.

Additionally, new referral patterns are emerging, allowing support to be provided even when the child is not yet ready for individual therapy or is still waiting for services.

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