HC Deb 21 March 1989 vol 149 cc574-5W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's research effort on the sexual abuse of children.

Mr. Mellor

I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 27 January at columns795–98. Within the Department's research programme child protection was made a priority theme in 1988–89. This reflects the need for research into child abuse and child sexual abuse. The Department, in collaboration with other Government Departments, is putting together a full and effective programme of child protection research. Government-funded research on child abuse including child sexual abuse has been commissioned and is being planned by the Scottish Office, the Department of Health and Social Services (Northern Ireland), the Economic and Social Research Council and is under consideration by the Home Office.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he has received a copy of the Children's Society publication entitled "Working with Sexually Abused Children;" and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Mellor

Yes. I am sure that the resource pack from the Children's Society will prove to be a helpful tool for professionals working with children who have been or may have been sexually abused.