The APS Position Statement on Child Sexual Abuse and Psychology outlines our commitment to the prevention of child sexual abuse (CSA). The harm that CSA causes is a critical issue for psychologists, who play a central role in working with people who have experienced abuse, work constructively with those who have committed criminal offences, and aim to increase child safety within the community. These efforts are central to our mission, values and ethics and involve applying knowledge from many areas of psychological research and practice. We strongly affirm the need for the best quality evidence-based practice, and for members to uphold the highest level of professionalism and ethical standards.
Our position
We acknowledge a variety of harm that people can experience as a direct consequence of being victimised, including severe adverse effects on mental or physical health and wellbeing, and a possible increased vulnerability for self-harm or suicide.
Many of our members possess expert knowledge, skills and resources that can contribute to a better understanding of CSA, why it happens and, importantly, how to prevent it. All psychology trained professionals (including practitioners, academics and researchers) have a role to play in the development of effective approaches to the assessment and treatment of those who have experienced CSA, the treatment and management of those known to have committed acts of CSA, organisational and occupational strategies, and programs and resources for community education to prevent and respond in constructive ways.
All psychologists have a responsibility to promote community awareness of the issues, encourage help seeking in those affected by or who have committed CSA and reduce stigma around the issue. As the peak body for psychologists in Australia, we are aware of the responsibility to ensure all members contribute to reducing the incidence and harms to persons affected by CSA.
We expect members to practice ethically by:
- implementing evidence-informed approaches in their work
- facilitating the availability of, or referral to, therapeutic support to those exposed to abuse and ensure their protection from future victimisation by engaging in professional and ethical interventions to mitigate future risk
- keeping up-to-date with the latest knowledge and guidelines about CSA relevant to their field of work; and
- seeking supervision and professional advice in responding to allegations of CSA.
Our key aims
1. Strengthen the psychology profession’s response to CSA
We will work to ensure psychologists at all levels, including students, can access high-quality academic training, professional development and supervision that develops knowledge, competency and skills in responding to child sexual abuse (this may include working with regulatory and accreditation bodies).
We will also work to keep members up to date with relevant advancements in the field of CSA, including changes to their ethical, legal and regulatory requirements, along with:
- advocating for, and working collaboratively with, regulators to uphold high standards of practice in this field
- supporting members to develop psychological practice in emerging areas related to CSA, such as technology-facilitated abuse; and
- collaborating with people with lived experience of child sexual abuse, and other key stakeholders, to ensure this work continues to be meaningful and relevant.
2. Strengthen community and government responses to CSA
We will work on a broader level to raise awareness and advocate on a political level in the following ways:
- Collaborate with government to develop innovative programs involving the production and distribution of educational media and advertising for community education to minimise harm and stigmatisation, and support public health prevention efforts.
- Support service development in rural and remote regions to promote equity of access for people impacted by CSA.
- Collaborate with the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association to identify ways to promote equitable access to culturally appropriate treatment and support for individuals and families in relation to CSA.
- Collaborate with other professional and community groups to develop cross-disciplinary responses to the prevention of CSA.
- Advocate for well-informed evidence-based government policies that protect the most vulnerable from CSA.
- Advocate for more research to investigate the efficacy of specific assessment and treatment methods, and the development of professional practice guidelines; and
- Advocate for national standards for use by organisations and the media to communicate about CSA in ways that promote accurate and effective messaging, and uphold respect and dignity and minimise harms for people who have experienced CSA.
Find out more about our position here: bit.ly/3iMHJGw
The content of this publication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional psychological, psychiatric or medical advice. Support services in your state or territory can be found here. The APS Position Statement on Child Sexual Abuse and Psychology can be found here.