Hearing all sides of the story: The challenge of integrating teaching on sexual aggression into social work qualifying training

Abstract

This paper attempts to demonstrate the need to address in social work qualifying training the experience of sexual aggression, for survivors, non-abusing parents and carers and perpetrators, in order to equip all intending social workers and probation officers with a fuller understanding of the issues than is possible within the context of employment by a specific agency. This context is that agencies rarely take a holistic approach to work with sexual abuse: for example, the probation service focuses on work with people convicted of sexoffences, social services and social work departments with those who have been abused. The factors which act as constraints, as well as those which provide opportunities, to such teaching are discussed and a model for teaching is suggested which draws on current research and practice as well as the authors' own experience.