Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

An allegation or suspicion of child sexual abuse (sexual assault or rape) must be acted upon robustly. It is a difficult area for staff to manage. CSA includes physical contact (both penetrative and non-penetrative acts), non-contact activities such as exposure to sexually explicit material, and child sexual exploitation (CSE). The exact prevalence of CSA is unknown, however, it is clear that much goes unreported. In a survey of 18 – 24-year-olds, 11% considered themselves to have been sexually abused.

The Bexley CSA Therapeutic Pathway aims to simplify the process and outline the referral pathway and sources of advice available for children in Bexley.

The pathway can be read here: Bexley CSA therapeutic pathway 2024

Additionally, a new set of resources has been created in partnership between South London CSA Support Services and NHS England (London).

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) was chosen as a priority for Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Learning Hub in 2025/26 following the issuing of Bexley’s local CSA pathway in August 2024 and in response to the Child Safeguarding Practice Review’s national review on CSA (published in 2024) and their recommendations for safeguarding partnerships. Bexley S.H.I.E.L.D. took part in a self-assessment (snapshot) of practice in relation to CSA with the NSPCC in March 2025 to support this priority.

A 7-minute briefing was produced and can be read here: 7-Minute Briefing on Child Sexual Abuse

The new resources include: