Children impacted by sexual abuse missing out on face-to-face counselling during COVID-19 lockdown

Caroline Holloway, who runs the NSPCC Craigavon Service Centre, said it remains open for vulnerable children but without face to face therapeautic work which had to cease due to the COVID-19 lockdown.

The centre helps children and young people from aged four to 17 and their parents and carers to help deal with the impact of sexual abuse.

Caroline said: “We are experiencing a huge challenge at the moment because of the lockdown. I have worked with NSPCC for over 25 years and I have not encountered any situation like the one we are in.”

She said the challenges are enormous and vulnerable children are missing out on the vital face-to-face, therapeutic services. We know that Covid-19 has caused huge difficulties for children and their families but we are absolutely determined to ensure we do everything in our power to work around this obstacle. The most vital thing is to maintain contact and the all -important relationship between the treatment worker and the young person – this relationship is key to successful therapy.

“Obviously, the situation is far from ideal and even when the lockdown ends, I believe there will be a lot of young people who will need help to recover from such a difficult and stressful situation and an interruption to their treatment. However, our message is clear - the NSPCC Craigavon Service Centre is still here for children and their families, we are available to help and are still offering our expertise to help children and young people impacted by child sexual abuse.”

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