The Right Service at the Right Time: Why Specialist Services for Children Matter

Getting the right support at the right time is crucial for children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. Right now, there’s a real lack of services for children across the UK and Ireland. It’s deeply disappointing to see any reduction in these vital supports—governments should be doing more, not less.

When a child or young person gets the therapeutic help they need, it can change their whole future. Early support can mean they don’t have to carry the trauma into adulthood. It helps stop that pain from becoming something that affects future generations. It also means less pressure on adult mental health services and less need for medication later in life. Providing specialist support for children and young people when they need it actually saves money and resources in the long run.

Specialist, confidential therapeutic support should be an absolute right for every child, and it should be free.

The latest research from the CSA Centre is a wake-up call. They estimate that 500,000 children are sexually abused each year in England and Wales. Their new Support Matters 2025 report shows that the need for support is far greater than what’s available. Dr Diana Parkinson, MBE, the lead author, shares in her blog what services are telling us about the huge challenges they face. The reality is that too many children and families are still missing out on the help they need.

We all have a role to play in making sure children get the right support, at the right time. Child protection is everyone’s business.

Read more here: Support Matters 2025 – CSA Centre

If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to me or a local specialist.