ABSTRACT
This chapter describes how societal denial around sexual violence between and against children (SVBAC), an undue reliance on the child protection system for identification and response and an outward facing lens results in limited rather than universal ownership of the problems. It explores the ways in which SVBAC can be denied and how it is perceived to be 'hidden' within a child protection system and/or within 'other' communities or families where violence is seen as 'normal'. The chapter also explores how recent scandals, such as the abuse perpetrated by Jimmy Savile and football coaches, and increasing awareness of abuse online is challenging this othering and bringing child sexual abuse closer into the reality of everyone's lives. It argues that whilst this welcome focus has created a stronger awareness and ownership of improving identification of SVBAC, it need a gender and trauma informed public health response that addresses the issue at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.
