Assessment Consultation Therapy (ACT) is a team in the Children, Schools and Families Service which aims to reduce sexual abuse by children and young people by providing Assessment, Consultation and Therapy.

Act was set up in 1995. Our services are available to all statutory and voluntary agencies in Surrey. Around 150 children and young people are referred to the team each year, although this is likely to underestimate the extent of the need.

A British study found approximately 20% of rapes and 30-50% of child molestation to be perpetrated by adolescents (Manocha and Mezey, 1998). More recent studies suggest that sexually abusive behaviour in pre-adolescents and adolescents is on the increase (Geradin and Thibaut, 2004; Underwood, Robinson, Musholder and Warren 2008). This trend is apparent despite the fact that many actual offences go undetected and undocumented due to adolescents not being convicted for crimes; victims not reporting all assaults; or due to young people committing sexually abusive acts below the age threshold of ten years for criminal responsibility.

These web pages have been designed to provide information for concerned young people, parents and educational professionals, and for the organisations ACT works with. Please choose the appropriate link below.