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Child Sexual Abuse:
Awareness & Action
A practical training about child sexual abuse for anyone working with children
who want to feel better prepared to recognise concerns,
respond carefully and take appropriate action.
Know what to look for, what to say,
and what to do next.
Knowledge about child sexual abuse can save lives — literally and figuratively. Because the better you understand it, the better you can respond.
Child sexual abuse is one of the most difficult and important subjects youth professionals can face. And yet it often stays surrounded by silence — because of discomfort, taboo, fear of getting it wrong, or because the signs are not always obvious.
This training helps you understand how abuse can happen and stay hidden, recognise possible signs and respond safely when a child tells you something. You also learn about grooming, online abuse, impact and recovery, prevention, and working together when concerns arise.
You learn how to become a safer person to talk to, break the silence around the subject and work preventively with children, families and colleagues.
Silence protects nobody. Knowing what to do changes what happens to a child.
Learning goals
✓
You recognise possible signs of child sexual abuse without jumping too quickly to conclusions.
✓
You understand grooming, secrecy and why children often find it difficult to tell.
✓
You know how to respond when a child shares something, including what to say and what to avoid.
✓
You know what steps to take when you have concerns, and how to work with parents and professionals.
✓
You feel more confident talking about boundaries, prevention and online safety with children.
For who
Youth professionals
When
Nov 5, 12, 19, 26 & Dec 3, online
Group
Max. 12 participants
Duration
20 hrs across 5 modules
Investment
€795
Trainers
Psychologists who specialise in CSA
Accreditation
Accreditation pending SKJ and NIP/FGzPt
Incompany training?
This training is also available in-company. Get in touch for the options.
Content
Understand how sexual abuse happens
You learn what child sexual abuse is, how common it is and the different ways it can happen. We look at grooming, secrecy, relationships of trust, differences in how abuse can present in boys and girls, and why abuse can remain hidden for a long time. You also learn how signs may look different in very young children, and how online abuse can develop through grooming, sexting, sexual imagery and digital boundary crossing.
Know how to respond
You learn what to do when a child tells you something or when concerns start to grow. We practise how to listen, which questions can help or harm, what to avoid and how to create as much safety as possible in that first response. We also look at the possible impact of abuse on the body, brain, development, behaviour, relationships and recovery.
From awareness to action
Knowing the signs is only part of the work.
You learn how to talk with children in age-appropriate ways about their body, boundaries, wishes, consent and safety, and how to create an environment in which these subjects can be spoken about openly. We also look at how to work with parents, colleagues and other professionals, and how to take care of yourself while working with difficult material.
For who
Who is this training for?
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For youth professionals who work with or for children and young people and want to feel more confident recognising and responding to possible sexual abuse.
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For example: youth and family professionals, teachers, youth care workers, child protection workers, (ortho)pedagogues, child psychologists, pediatricians, nurses, cops, fosterparents and social workers in youth care.
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Whether you're relatively new to the work or have years of experience, you're welcome.
Who is this training not for?
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This is not a training for specialist forensic interviewing, offender treatment or an advanced diagnostic training.
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Do you work with another target group or want a version adapted to your organisation? Check out our in-company options.
After this training you have
✓
More knowledge
A clearer understanding of how child sexual abuse happens, stays hidden and can affect children in different ways.
✓
A sharper eye for signs
More confidence recognising possible signals, patterns and concerns without jumping to conclusions.
✓
Practical conversation tools
Concrete language for what to say, what not to ask and how to respond when a child tells you something.
✓
Prevention tools
Age-appropriate ways to talk with children about bodies, boundaries, wishes, consent and online safety.
✓
A clearer action plan
A better understanding of your role, what steps to take and who to involve when concerns arise.
✓
More confidence
More confidence discussing the subject with children, parents, colleagues and other professionals.
Program
Module 1 - Understanding child sexual abuse
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Understanding what child sexual abuse is, how common it is and the different ways it can occur.
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Recognising behavioural, emotional and physical signs that may raise concern.
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Responding safely when a child tells you something, including what to say and what to avoid.
Module 2 - Perpetrators, bystanders & dynamics
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Understanding who commits sexual abuse and how it can develop within relationships of trust.
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Recognising grooming, manipulation, secrecy and the strategies used to keep abuse hidden.
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Victim blaming & understanding why bystanders may miss, minimise or struggle to act on what they notice.
Module 3 - Young children & online abuse
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Recognising how possible signs of sexual abuse can look different in very young children.
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Approaching observations and conversations in a safe, developmentally appropriate way.
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Understanding online grooming, sexting, sexual imagery and risks around digital boundaries.
Module 4 - Impact on body, brain & development
✓
Understanding how sexual abuse can affect the brain, body, development and stress system.
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Recognising possible short- and long-term effects on memory, behaviour and relationships.
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Understanding what can support safety, resilience and recovery after sexual abuse.
Module 5 - Prevention, collaboration & self-care
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Talking about boundaries, consent and safety in ways that fit a child's age and development.
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Working with parents, colleagues and other professionals when concerns or disclosures arise.
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Recognising the impact of this work on yourself and protecting your boundaries and wellbeing.
Practical information
Duration, format and group
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20 contact hours across five modules.
•
(Live) Online: five sessions of four hours, one module per session, spread out so you can try things at work in between.
•
Max. 12 participants.
•
In-company: we set the spread and number of participants with you. Adapted to your professional setting.
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Available in English and Dutch.
Investment
€795,- online including the workbook and all materials. In-company is quoted per team. No VAT. Ukomelela is listed in the CRKBO register, so every price on this page is exempt from VAT. What you see is what you pay. Paying in instalments is possible.
Signing up
You book your place on this page. Pick a date in the table below and fill in the form. You get a confirmation straight away, with the dates, the times and the Zoom link. Not sure whether this is your training? Book a free call first.
Incompany
Want this for your team? We can build this training around your team’s needs.
On location we work mainly with teams in the Netherlands and in South Africa. Other countries are possible, just ask. Online we train teams anywhere.
Request a quote
Trainers
Our trainers combine psychology and neuroscience with experience from real-life work with children, families and professionals. We make difficult topics understandable, practical and useful.
Julia
Yuna
Rosalie
Stay up to date?
What people say
“A very difficult subject, explained in a way that felt clear, practical and safe.”
Norah · Teacher
“I now understand much better how abuse can stay hidden, and what my role is when concerns arise.”
James · Youth care professional
“I feel much more confident recognising the signs and knowing what to do next. The training gave me language for conversations I used to avoid.”
Maya · Social worker
The impact you make with your training
Train for change
Impact in South African Communities
South Africa
The Ripple Effect
In many of the communities we work in, there is very little professional mental-health or safeguarding support. What there is, is people who already stand beside those children every day. The teacher. The youth worker. The community coach.
For every training somebody books with us, we help make professional training accessible to someone working in one of those communities, through Train for Change International.
So your training lands in two places at once. Take one = give one.
→ More about impactHow you can do this training
Upcoming Trainings
When
Where
Status
Price
Sign up
Bring a colleague: 10% off each
Early Bird? 15% discount
Fully booked? Join the waitlist
Got questions?
Find your answers here, or send us a message, always happy to think along!
Who exactly is this for?
For anyone who works with or for children and young people and wants to feel better prepared to recognise, discuss and respond to child sexual abuse.
That may include teachers, youth workers, childcare professionals, coaches, healthcare professionals, psychologists, pedagogues, social workers, cops, nurses, doctors, child protection professionals, community workers, fosterparents and volunteers.
Whether you work directly with children every day or support them from a different role, this is knowledge we believe more adults around children should have.
Is this a treatment or forensic interviewing training?
No. You learn to recognise possible sexual abuse, respond carefully and know what steps to take within your professional role. You do not learn forensic interviewing, diagnosis or specialist treatment.
How do I sign up, and what happens next?
You book your place on this page and receive confirmation with the dates, times and Zoom link. Before the training starts, we send you the preparation materials and workbook.
Is the training accredited?
Accreditation with SKJ and NIP/FGzPt is currently pending. You always receive a Certificate of Participation. We publish the accreditation points as soon as they are awarded.
How big is the group?
Maximum twelve participants. Small enough to discuss difficult situations properly, and big enough to learn from professionals with different backgrounds.
Can I bring a colleague?
Yes — and we actually recommend it. You both receive 10% off, and having someone at work who learned the same language and approach makes it easier to put the training into practice afterwards.
Can my employer pay for it?
Yes. We can invoice your employer or organisation directly and provide the information their finance department needs.
Can I use my professional development budget?
Very often, yes. Many employers have an annual training or professional-development budget that can be used for courses like this. Check your employment agreement or ask your manager or HR department what is available to you. We are happy to provide an invoice or any training information your employer needs.
What if I have to cancel?
Let us know as soon as possible. Whether you can move your booking, transfer your place to a colleague or receive a refund depends on the timing and our Terms & Conditions.
What will I learn in this training?
You learn how child sexual abuse can happen and stay hidden, including grooming, manipulation, secrecy and perpetrator dynamics.
You learn how possible signs can look different in young children and online, and how digital risks such as grooming, sexting and sexual imagery can play a role.
You practise how to respond when a child tells you something: how to listen, what to say, what not to ask and how to help a child feel believed and safe.
You also learn how to work preventively, with age-appropriate conversations about bodies, boundaries, wishes, consent and safety. And much more!
How long is it, and what is the study load?
Twenty contact hours across five modules. Online, that means five sessions of four hours, one module per session, plus any preparation or reflection you do between sessions.
Do I need previous knowledge about sexual abuse?
No. We build the training from the foundation up and explain everything in clear language. Already have experience with the subject? There is still plenty of room to deepen your knowledge and apply it to your own work.
What language is the training in?
The training is available in English and Dutch. Tell us which language you need when you book.
Can we do this with our whole team?
Yes. The training is available in-company and can be adapted to your organisation, target group, procedures and everyday situations. Online we train teams anywhere. On location, we train mainly in the Netherlands and South Africa but other countries are possible too.
Are any other discounts available?
Yes. We regularly offer an Early Bird discount of 15% for upcoming trainings. Current discounts are always shown with the training dates. Discounts cannot usually be combined unless stated otherwise.
What if the training doesn't go ahead?
If we need to cancel or change the training, we'll contact you as soon as possible and explain the options available to you. Any refund, rebooking or credit arrangements are handled in line with our Terms & Conditions.
Are Ukomelela trainings tax-friendly?
Ukomelela is registered with CRKBO, which means qualifying vocational training is exempt from VAT. So the price shown is the price you pay — no VAT is added.
If you're self-employed, professional training costs may also be deductible as a business expense when they relate to maintaining or updating knowledge you already use in your work. Whether that applies depends on your situation, so check with your accountant or the Dutch Tax Administration if you're unsure.
Is this training suitable if I have personal experience with sexual abuse?
It can be. Some participants find that understanding the subject professionally also gives them new insight personally. At the same time, we talk about sexual abuse directly and some content can be confronting. If you're unsure whether this is the right moment for you, we'd rather talk it through before you book.
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Got questions?
Questions about the content, or not sure whether this training fits you? Book a free introductory call. Being curious is reason enough.
Together, we build a kinder, safer world.
One person. One conversation. One community at a time.