What is it.
This study examined therapeutic outcomes for 218 children who completed psychotherapy following sexual abuse, tracked over a 10-year period in a Quebec CYAC. Most children experienced severe or repeated abuse and often faced additional adversities, such as exposure to other forms of child abuse and neglect. While the number of centralized services received was not directly associated with better outcomes, there were indirect benefits from centralized service delivery. Specifically, more support sessions for parents were associated with lower dissociation scores, and the involvement of youth protection services during the initial assessment was linked to lower internalizing behaviours and PTSD symptomology after therapy. Overall, the findings suggest that while full centralization of services is challenging, certain components of the CYAC model—particularly early child protection involvement and parental support—can significantly enhance children’s recovery. These insights are especially relevant for clinicians and multidisciplinary teams seeking to improve therapeutic outcomes for children who have experienced sexual abuse.
How can it help me?
This study provides valuable insights for multidisciplinary team members working within CYACs by highlighting which aspects of intervention and service delivery are most strongly associated with positive therapeutic outcomes for children who have experienced sexual abuse. A key takeaway is the critical role of early involvement by child protection services and the importance of parental support. Both were consistently linked to lower levels of post-therapy distress in children. For multidisciplinary professionals—including social workers, mental health and medical, police officers, and advocates—these findings emphasize that even when full service centralization is not feasible, targeted supports can still significantly improve outcomes. Ultimately, these findings can help multidisciplinary teams refine protocols, improve collaboration, and prioritize interventions that have a measurable impact on children’s well-being.