The Bravehearts Toolbox for Practitioners Working with Child Sexual Assault (2nd edition)

Abstract

Reviews the book, The Bravehearts Toolbox for Practitioners Working with Child Sexual Assault (2nd Edition) by Nadine McKillop, Carol Ronken, and Sam Vidler (2012). Often children who have experienced sexual assault wish only to disclose to the individual with whom they have formed a therapeutic bond. For many practitioners, however, disclosure results in referral. Reasons can include uncertainty about legal obligations, or self-doubt regarding one's professional competence to manage and therapeutically treat the disclosure. The authors tackle these issues and provide therapeutic tools for practitioners who have received a disclosure. Bravehearts recommends that it is preferable for practitioners who have received a sexual assault disclosure to continue working with the young person, particularly if a therapeutic relationship has already been formed. This book aims to equip practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and techniques needed to professionally, ethically, and legally manage the disclosure of sexual assault. The book guides practitioners towards understanding the indicators, presenting behaviors and long and short-term outcomes for children who have experienced sexual assault. It provides a voice to the often silent and isolating experiences of these children. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved)