Childhood sexual abuse: help make it “safe to say”

Childhood sexual abuse remains a taboo subject and requires sensitive handling by committed and caring services (Scottish Executive, 2004). By introducing a training programme, Safe to Say, the Scottish Association of Mental Health aims to improve the confidence and competence of healthcare workers when faced with the sensitive disclosure of childhood abuse. This article aims to explore the effects of childhood sexual abuse and the attitudes of health professionals when faced with adult survivors disclosing such abuse. Despite Government strategies, there still appears to be a lack of suitable services for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, even though health professionals have an essential role in supporting disclosure and promoting recovery (Read et al, 2005).