ISPCAN Huddle Virtual Training

In the opening session, participants will be introduced to the Huddle concept, outlining the training’s framework, learning objectives, and structure. In the second part of the session, participants will take part in a joint viewing of the documentary “REWIND”. The film is about multigenerational child sexual abuse, in the context of culture, family and systems of care will be explored. How the medical, mental health, and justice systems interact to protect and heal the child will be deeply examined. From the eyes of the child, Sasha Joseph Neulinger, we will hear the case, as it unfolds using his home movies as he recreates and tells his story.

This Huddle session focused on identifying the signs of CSA before a direct disclosure (noticing and addressing red flags) and around initial disclosure. In addition, the presenters focused on immediate responses to the disclosure. Discussions addressed the role of institutional policies in early identification. Public health interventions begin with prevention-focused actions that are taken at a whole-of-population level, often through already existing universal service delivery platforms where contact with families occurs (i.e. health, education and child care services), complemented by community-based actions and population-wide strategies. The latter includes information about child safety, awareness raising actions, regulations and controls, and provision of training, resources and supports – for professionals working with families, as well as direct provision of parenting skills and other supports for families themselves.

This session explores best practices and policies for conducting initial assessments, gathering information in trauma informed strategies while spotlighting the child's rights. Participants openly discussed the roles of different professionals and the challenges at this stage.

This session focused on the actions taken by professionals to address the abuse, and how collaborative efforts across multiple disciplines would have changed the responses. This session demonstrates how different disciplines can work together to provide a collaborative response without incurring additional financial cost.

This session focused on the ongoing support to children who underwent CSA. Participants explored strategies for building resilience and promoting a sense of safety and stability. Multigenerational child sexual abuse, in the context of culture, family and systems of care were explored. Practical strategies for how the medical, mental health, and justice systems must interact to protect and heal the child were deeply examined. *The session was accompanied by Mr. Sasha Joseph Neulinger, the film maker of REWIND.