What happens at The Lighthouse?

At The Lighthouse we want to make sure your child recovers from the upset that sexual abuse can cause. We focus on getting the right help at the right time, helping to equip you to support your child every step of the way.

• Meeting your child’s advocate

  You will meet one of our support workers – your child’s advocate – who will guide you both through your Lighthouse journey. They will help you and your child to access and understand the medical care, mental health support and police and social worker help that is available.

• Getting important medical support

  A play specialist can help your child prepare for the medical assessments, offered by the paediatrician and supported by a nurse. Your child can choose who they would like in the room during the examination.

• Gathering crucial evidence

  When your child is ready to speak about what happened, an interview is conducted and led by a clinical psychologist, with support from a police officer. Having a specialist child psychologist carry out the interview, helps to reduce re-traumatisation and gather the best evidence, by putting your child’s emotional needs first.

• Emotional health and wellbeing

  Children and young people have told us that talking to someone they trust can help them feel better. At The Lighthouse your child will speak with a therapist who specialises in supporting children and young people who’ve experienced sexual abuse. The therapist will get to know them, listen to them and be there for your child every step of the way. We make sure all this support is in one familiar, child-friendly place, The Lighthouse.

• Experiences of Parent/Carers

  Click below to listen to Experiences of Parents/Carers