A Study of a Support Service for the Current Carers of Sexually Abused Girls

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Abstract
Intervention in support of the current carers is seen as an important part of a treatment package for sexually abused girls. This article, one element of a comparative treatment trial, describes the characteristics and backgrounds of the current carers, the nature of the help provided to them and their responses to the help. One of the main aims of involving and supporting carers was to try to ensure regular attendance of the girls in the therapy and this was largely achieved. Although there were no simple relationships between help for the carers and treatment outcome for the girls, a strong association was found between a positive attitude by the birth mothers toward the treatment and improvement in the girls. The possible reasons for this are discussed together with practice and research considerations when planning dual interventions to attend to the needs of the girls and their carers.