Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: Insights, Interventions, Interruption and Next Steps

VIRTUAL TRAINING

Mondays & Tuesdays, December 8, 9, 15 & 16, 2025

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern Time

CWLA is pleased to offer an expanded training of Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse: Insights, Interventions, Interruption and Next Steps presented in (4) four two-hour sessions. The training sessions will share ideas and expertise to enhance participants’ understanding, assessment of and intervention with situations involving father-, father figure-daughter incest. The topics to be covered will include prevalence rates, the application of research, literature, theory and typologies to assist practitioners to conceptualize secretive and harmful behavior. Barriers to inquiry and intervention and poor outcomes for children will be discussed. Several tools, techniques and interview questions will be offered to access hidden information.

The training will use a systems perspective to examine the factors that contribute to Intrafamilial Child Sexual Abuse occurring and to isolate specific characteristics and presentations of children, those that harm, non-harming parents or caregivers and possible siblings within a family environment.

This training will situate this harmful behavior within an environment of power and control, secretiveness, family isolation, guilt and fear, cultural and religious beliefs, and provide both analytical framework and concepts for the investigation, assessment and treatment of incest occurrence.  

We understand that those in attendance can come from varied fields and that each may play a different but crucial role in the protection and/or treatment of children. Therefore, there may be sections of the training that are more applicable or less applicable to the multiple roles represented by participants.

This training is separated into four sections; an overarching theme is to build professional understanding and capacity in dealing with this distressing and taboo topic. A goal is to enhance primary, secondary and tertiary prevention, identification and intervention all while adhering to child safety and well-being needs.

The role of professional disposition, skill and fitness in these cases cannot be overlooked. Therefore, the training provides time and opportunity to examine the many emotional responses professionals experience and to discuss how clients could be seen and responded to, which enhances successful case resolution. 

The trainer uses the term inquiry broadly; it can refer to asking pertinent and relevant questions to collect needed information for assessment. It can also refer to the act of investigation of claims of abuse. Case conceptualization includes hypothesizing, triangulating information, challenging perspectives and referring to child maltreatment literature to ensure evidence-based assessment. Over the course of the four sessions, the trainer will build on case conceptualization to arrive at a defensible position knowing that in most cases accuracy can only be assured when the person (father/father figure) who has been accused of harming the child confirms that abuse did occur.

In supporting this goal, the training will provide profiles of children who demonstrate psychosomatic symptoms connected to victimization. The presentation of both mother and father figures, their thinking patterns, demonstrations of anger, power and control, and aggression will be factored into an assessment of family structure, functioning, and safety. To bring this training from theory to practice, several case examples will be used to illustrate connections between the many themes we seek to cover in the 8 hours of training.  

The intent is that all participants will have the opportunity to examine their current practice and add to their toolbox, as well as explore with the other participants the application of this knowledge and tools to enhance their skill set.

Facilitator: Gerald Walsh, MSW, RSW, is a front-line child welfare investigator with Child and Family Services of Grand Erie, Ontario, Canada. He is a presenter of investigative techniques and has been involved with the training of social work students, child welfare staff, and law enforcement.

Training Dates and Times: Each of the four training sessions will be held for two (2) hours, 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Eastern Time on: December 8, 2025; December 9, 2025; December 15, 2025; and December 16, 2025.

Training Registration Fee: for Organizational Member $300; for Individual Member $325; for Non-Member $350

Training CEUs Fee: for CWLA Members $25; for Non-Members $35

Eight (8) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for the three training sessions, provided through NASW – Washington State Chapter. Licensed Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Mental Health Counselors are eligible. Provider number is #1975-176. Participants must timely submit session evaluations and quizzes to receive CEUs.

 10% Discount Available for Group of 5 or More Training Registrations*

*Registrations must be completed at the same time as a group for the “10% for 5 or More” discount to apply and is only applicable for new training registrations. Contact memberservices@cwla.org for assistance with a group registration.

Training Location: The training will be virtual using the Zoom platform. Zoom links will be emailed to registered participants a few days prior to the training. Please be sure to check your Junk/ Spam email.

Questions regarding the training content should be directed to Julie Collins at jcollins@cwla.org.  For assistance with registration, contact memberservices@cwla.org.

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Space is limited and available on a first come/first served basis. Requests for refunds must be received in writing no later than one week prior to the event. A $35 service charge will be assessed on all canceled registrations. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited. CWLA reserves the right to cancel the training in the event of insufficient registration.

Registration can be processed online with credit card payment. To pay by check, select payment option "Check/Money Order" and mail check payment with a copy of your registration confirmation to:

Child Welfare League of America

PO Box 715171

Philadelphia, PA 19171-5171