Brought up between the controlling, strict matriarchal presences of her foster mother and grandmother, Judith never had the opportunity to ask about her birth parents, and was discouraged from even acknowledging the possibility of a wider family. Hers was a 'seen but not heard' upbringing, with loving but uncompromising guardians who would be familiar to anyone who grew up in the fifties. It's unsurprising, therefore, that it took Judith so many years to brave the question of her origin, and start a journey of self-discovery. By this time it was too late for such questions to be easily answered, and it would take many years of perseverance for the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to fall into place. In the meantime, Judith grew and changed, married and had children of her own, all the while with a single question niggling in the back of her head: where did she come from? This is a journey with surprises, reunions, travel, loss and love, homecomings and heartbreak; the story of an isolated, cowed only child growing into an adventurous woman, determined to track down her family. As the fog of Judith's early life lifts and her family tree becomes visible, developments grow ever more surprising. My Hidden Family is a heart-warming memoir about the family you're given, and the family you find.

This book looks at the social problems encountered by those involved in the adoption and fostering of children who have been sexually abused. Drawing on interviews with families who have had direct experience of the problems, this book includes chapters on recognizing the signs of sexual abuse, helping children talk about their experiences, the impact on other children in the family, the trauma of allegations, support services and the appropriateness or otherwise of psychotherapy. This book is designed to be of interest to both social workers and substitute parents.

In November 2019, Deon Wiggett’s sensational weekly podcasts held South Africa in thrall as he hunted down the paedophile who raped him as a schoolboy. Now, in My Only Story, he completes his exposé of Willem Breytenbach, the once brilliant teacher and later media luminary who led a predatory life.

Deon’s mission to expose his abuser takes him from Breytenbach’s high-school years at an agricultural school in South Africa’s hinterland to the famous Grey College in Bloemfontein and the media titan Naspers. But his quest reveals so much more. As he traces systemic failures through schools great and small, he uncovers a culture of complicity that poses a clear and present danger to the country’s children. While investigating men who prey on boys and girls, Deon devises a model that anyone can use to identify paedophiles in their midst. In his own words: ‘It’s pleasant to pretend that men don’t rape children, but once you accept that they do, it becomes surprisingly easy to recognise their trickery. Once you match a universal pattern to a specific man’s profile, you can spot the deceit before it is too late.’

My Only Story is a riveting, thoughtful and often irreverent account of one man’s determination to overcome childhood trauma; to help others face their demons; and to extract some beauty from the boyhood he lost.

In Canada, professionals such as doctors, teachers, and social workers must report child abuse and neglect to Child Protection Services. This is often a difficult decision-professionals may be uncertain if they should report their suspicions and worry about the relationship with the client or patient if they follow through. Child Abuse and Neglect in Canada offers a concise guide to mandatory reporting in provincial and territorial jurisdictions with specific attention to the context and unique realities of Northern Canada. As an introduction to mandatory reporting, the book opens with an exploration of the historical rise of the child welfare system, mandatory reporters' ethical duties around reporting, types of abuse and neglect, risk and protective factors, and the ascendancy of child abuse in an online environment. The text goes on to explore various factors (e.g., legal, clinical, and situational) to assist human service professionals with their decision-making, examine the reporting process, and offer relationship-repair strategies (e.g., reporting, affecting regulation, and advocating). It culminates in a comprehensive, empirically based conceptual framework to help readers maintain relationships with their clients. Predicated on the author's dissertation research, this book offers human service professionals a comprehensive framework for fulfilling professional, fiduciary obligations while providing educators with accessible teaching tools to further their pupils' understanding of the subject.

Pritchard's extensive experience of practice, research and training inform the advice and practical guidance she gives... The book is full of useful photocopiable handouts and proformas that can be helpful as long as the trainer has the necessary background knowledge to use them. The case studies are a joy and contain the diversity of experience and multicultural elements missing from the rest of the book. They will be useful in concocting a range of exercises and discussion points in basic training.' - Social Work Education 'The book is written in a clear, conversational style and is both practically-based and very accessible... Pritchard's style is conversational and accessible. Material is introduced in a friendly and informal way.' - Ageing & Society 'A training guide covering the setting up of abuse awareness courses through the various stages, looking at selecting a pool of trainers, developing them, evaluation and case studies. It provides guidance for those struggling through the discussions and planning, and point clearly to the need for sensitive and skilled group workers as trainers.' - Community Care 'This is the latest of a wide range of adult abuse publications by Jacki Pritchard, now recognised as one of the leaders in the field. In previous works, she has highlighted the need for training at all levels in all agencies concerned with vulnerable adults... The book's purpose is simply to increase the number of people available with the capacity and skills to provide training to others. This cascade approach is seen to be the most effective way of training large numbers of people with limited resources. It is however recognised that different types of training are required for people with different functions. This manual will be used to train trainers at the introductory, basic information level. The manual is set out clearly and provides essential information for potential trainers of trainers. It manages to demystify the art of training and brings it within the scope of most people. The initial sections deal with developing training within organisations, selecting a pool of trainers, and training and supporting trainers, with exercises to help readers through the process. The next section is full of practical advice on how to get ready for your first training session. This leads on to a chapter on possible content of a basic raising awareness course on adult abuse. While giving direction, this section allows some felxibility and choice for the trainer. There are lots of handouts, which can be reproduced as part of a training course. One of the most important sections is on difficult issues for trainers. This includes disclosure of abuse by a course participant or participants being particularly challenged by the subject matter. This is followed by a section on problems for trainers, which offers sound advice on a range of important issues. The final chapters concentrate on evaluation and case studies for use during a training course. English law is referenced in the legal section and this should be substituted with the relevant Scottish equivalents where they apply. This timely and practical manual will help agencies develop effective awareness programmes. It deals with a wide range of issues, offers practical advice and contains numerous exercises and worksheets. An ideal addition to any agency's training resources, it will make a positive contribution to addressing the often unrecognised issue of adult abuse.' - Rostrum Agencies working with vulnerable adults are increasingly finding they have to train staff internally to become trainers on the issue of adult abuse and new government legislation means this trend is likely to continue. Based on the author's considerable experience of training practitioners, this timely and practical manual will help agencies develop effective basic awareness programmes. Becoming a Trainer in Adult Abuse Work deals with a comprehensive range of issues including selection of trainers; practicalities such as venue, equipment, refreshments; policy, law and evaluation and difficult issues ranging from disclosure and confidentiality to lack of confidence and time management. As well as this step-by-step advice, the book contains exercises and worksheets, ensuring it is a practical resource as well as a useful reference for those agencies, across all sectors, involved in adult abuse work.

The concluding volume of Dave Pelzer's million-copy bestselling memoir. 'I don't blame others for my problems. I stand on my own. And one day, you'll see, I'm going to make something of myself.' These words were eighteen-year-old Dave Pelzer's declaration of independence to his mother - a woman who had abused him with shocking brutality. But even years after he was rescued, his life remained a continual struggle. Dave felt rootless and awkward, an outcast haunted by memories of his years as the bruised, cowering 'It' locked in his mother's basement. Dave's dramatic reunion with his dying father and the shocking confrontation with his mother led to his ultimate calling: mentor to others struggling with personal hardships. From a difficult marriage to the birth of his son, from an unfulfilling career to an enduring friendship, Dave was finally able to break the chains of his past, learning to trust, to love, and to live.

Exploring specific experiences, circumstances and events that can put children at risk, this book provides practical guidance for early years practitioners working with vulnerable children. It covers supporting children who are abused and neglected, those with special educational needs, children from ethnic minorities, those with emotional or health difficulties, children affected by poverty and children in care. Each chapter draws on current research and theories to set out clear advice and strategies for supporting the wellbeing and development of vulnerable children, including working in partnership with parents, carers and communities.

Medical Response to Child Sexual Abuse, Second Edition is specifically developed to equip physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals with the necessary tools to identify cases of child sexual abuse. This new edition is revised and updated to reflect contemporary best practices for the pediatric approach to childhood sexual abuse and effectively treat and examine sexually abused patients. Professionals who work with sexually abused children face a great challenge in not only treating the immediate outcomes of sexual abuse but also safeguarding their patients' long-term recovery. To meet their needs and the needs of those in their care, Medical Response to Child Sexual Abuse, Second Edition offers a wealth of evidence-based research and practical guidelines to the evaluation of childhood sexual abuse.