5.15 Historical Abuse Allegations |
Contents
1. Significance
Organisational responses to allegations by an adult of abuse experienced as a child must be of as high a standard as a response to allegations of current abuse because:
- There is a significant likelihood that a person who abused a child in the past will have continued and may still be doing so;
- Criminal prosecution remains a possibility if sufficient evidence can be carefully collated.
2. Response
As soon as it is apparent that an adult is revealing childhood abuse, the member of staff must record what is said by the service user and the responses given by the staff member.
If possible, the member of staff should establish if the adult is aware of the alleged perpetrator’s recent or current whereabouts and contact with children.
A Chronology may be helpful and all records must be dated and the authorship made clear by a legible signature or name.
An adult service user should be asked whether s/he wants a police investigation and must be reassured that Police Public Protection Investigation Units are able and willing to undertake such work even for those adults who are vulnerable as result of mental health or learning difficulties.
Consideration must be given to the therapeutic needs of the adult and reassurance given that, even without her/his direct involvement, all reasonable efforts will be made to look into what s/he has reported.
The member of staff should:
- Inform the Police and establish whether there is any knowledge regarding the alleged perpetrator’s current contact with children;
- Consider and consult with the Manager of the Safeguarding Children Unit if the adult service user requests a police investigation or if action under the Complex (Organised or Multiple) Abuse Procedure appears appropriate;
- Make a Referral in accordance with the Contacts and Referrals Procedure if the alleged perpetrator is known currently to be caring for, or has access to children (including making the necessary referral to the area where the perpetrator is known to live now - see Risk Management of Individuals Who Pose a Risk of Harm to Children Procedure).
End