Oral Presentation: How to talk to children when suspecting sexual abuse – Current practice in Schools in the North of Germany and recommendations for best practice guidelines

Title: How to talk to children when suspecting sexual abuse – Current practice in Schools in the North of Germany and recommendations for best practice guidelines

Abstract:

Teachers and other school professionals (e.g. school social workers, school psychologists) are among the first contact persons for children to disclose experiences of sexual abuse. Equally, if teachers suspect sexual abuse, they may approach children and initiate a conversation or seek help from other school professionals for such conversations. In both cases, the person dealing with the child faces the challenging task to conduct conversations in a manner encouraging disclosure, yet avoiding suggestive influences.
In a pilot study up to twenty interviews with teachers and other school professionals will be conducted during Spring 2022 to collect indications on how to handle situations in schools and how to talk to children when suspecting sexual abuse. Furthermore, up to twenty interviews with members of the judicial and help system (police officers, prosecutors, employees at youth welfare office or counselling services) are conducted to collect their suggestions for best practice guidelines for schools.
Preliminary interview results concerning the current practice in schools will be presented and best practice guidelines will be discussed.