Holly Burgin, Emma King
Too Close to See? Denial in families re: CSA
Workshop Abstract
There has been growing research and clinical insight into denial among individuals who sexually abuse children. However, less attention has been paid to the denial expressed by partners of those who have sexually harmed others.
For a parent who discoversthat their partner poses a potential risk of sexual harm to children, disbelief and a lack of acceptance are common, especially initially. However, what does their failure to accept concerns about sexual offence allegations or risk say about their ability to protect the children in their care? Parents may express frustration with feeling negatively judged, feel conflicted, and experience uncertainty about what to think and who to believe.
Practitioners working with this group often report similar frustrations and uncertainty, particularly around how to build constructive relationships and assess protective capacity. This workshop explores the complexities of working with denial in partners, parents, and carers. We will consider the psychological and relational functions of denial, and how professional responses and systemic processes may inadvertently reinforce it.
We will also explore the pivotal role professionals play in enabling parents and carers to move beyond denial, understand more about the journey to acceptance, and how we can support them through this process. We will explore the relationship between denial, or lack of acceptance, and protective ability, and the considerations around this.Using a case study and interactive methods, the session will offer practical strategies for managing difficult conversations, navigating professional frustration, and working with denial in a way that promotes safety and engagement.
We will examine whether full acknowledgment of allegations or convictions is necessary for protective behaviour, and whether there is space for uncertainty within a protective stance. This workshop aims to equip practitioners with knowledge to work more confidently and compassionately with families, even when denial is present.
About the Speakers
Holly Burgin is a senior practitioner at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF), leading on training and organisational consultancy.
She works across various teams including assessment and interventions, training, and the Stop It Now helpline, working with people with a conviction or allegation of sexual offending, and their partners / family members. She previously worked as a probation officer, including delivering group work treatment programmes and specialist risk assessments for men convicted of sexual offences.
Emma King is the Head of Clinical Services for Adultsand Principle Practitioner at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, with 16 years of experience with the organisation.
Previously, she has worked in the prisonservice, and has over 20 years of experience inpreventing sexual offending. Emma undertakes arange of work including assessments, interventions,consultancy and training