Dealing With Sexual Abuse: A Young Australian's Insights

"How can you see bruises that massive and not care? Not even say "is everything alright at home?"(Diaries, age 16) This beautifully illustrated colour book provides a young Australian's devastating account of 'slipping through the cracks' of the child protection, education and support systems. Hannah has bravely shared her teenage diaries to provide rare insights into the experience of child abuse. She describes her criminal justice system ordeal, and the ongoing impacts of the abuse on her life. To conclude, Hannah provides her advice for those who are supporting young people who may have been abused. She also outlines her ideas for system reform so that young people are better protected than she was. Since first being released as an e-book in May 2014, this updated and comprehensive book has been widely used by practitioners in the fields of child protection, youth work, mental health, counselling, education (primary, secondary and tertiary), abuse prevention, criminal justice and policy reform; as well as by parents, carers and abuse survivors. The book contains beautiful colour illustrations which were donated for use by Sarah Millicent Elliott. Half proceeds from all books sold will be split between two Australian services which support children and young people who have experienced abuse: Kids Helpline (free national telephone counselling service), and George Jones Child Advocacy Centre (located in Perth, Western Australia). Key words: Sexual abuse, child abuse, young people, grooming, stop child abuse, criminal justice system, policy makers, Australia, Kids Helpline, abuse prevention, child protection, sexual assault, abuse education, post traumatic stress disorder, therapy, counselling, health practitioner.