React network

The React Network brings together practitioners and academics of racialised heritages and/or religions who are interested in or focused on addressing child sexual abuse of people from these communities in England and Wales.

The network provides a space for collaboration to enhance understanding, knowledge and responses to child sexual abuse and its impacts on victims and survivors , families and communities. It now includes more than 100 academics and professionals who have an interest in, or are focused on, addressing child sexual abuse within these communities.

In 2024, our report Child sexual abuse of African, Asian and Caribbean heritage children: a knowledge review identified a number of significant barriers to effective support for child and adult victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Despite these challenges, numerous organisations are actively providing innovative and impactful support within this complex landscape.

Recognising the importance of sharing these best practices and addressing barriers to effective support for victims and survivors and families of racialised heritages and/or religions, the CSA Centre established the React Network to facilitate a space for such exchanges.

Quarterly online meetings are facilitated by the CSA Centre and hosted by Dr Jen Allotey, who brings extensive research and practice experience working with children and adults from racialised heritages and religions affected by child sexual abuse. Focusing on a new theme each quarter, the Network aims to:

• Encourage members to celebrate, connect with and recognise the work of others.
• Build recognition of services and individuals committed to working in this space.
• Share good practice and ideas for service provision for victims and survivors from racialised heritages and/or religions.
• Discuss and address challenges faced by service users and staff working in this space. This has included welcoming speakers on topics including the lack of language for talking about sexual abuse within some communities, and the impact of 'honour related' trauma, among others.
• Bridge the gap between research and practice through knowledge exchange between our collective expertise.

If you have any further questions please email on reactnetwork@csacentre.org.uk