Facing the future: A guide for parents of young people who have sexually abused

Parents can make a vital contribution in work with children and young people who have sexually abused. Most publications available to date in this area have originated in North America. This comprehensive text is written from a UK perspective in a style which is clear and accessible. It is motivational, emphatic and sensitive in its approach. It helps practitioners create a context in which to engage and motivate parents to contribute positively to the work undertaken with their child or adolescent. Whilst recognizing the painful nature of facing the future following abuse, the guide offers parents hope and emphasizes that change is possible. It can be used a stand alone source of practical advice and support for parents; or as a resource to be used flexibly and selectively by practitioners. Each chapter includes a mixture of description of key issues, practical information and advice, case examples and summary points. Therapeutic exercises are also integrated into the body of each chapter in order to give parents an opportunity to consider their own responses to the issues being raised. In this way, the guide takes parents from how to deal with the discovery and aftermath of the abuse, to how they can support their child in the work, and to the management of risk situations and monitoring. Parents' important role in helping their child locate and retain a healthy form of sexual identification is examined.