LeeMoore1st Chairwoman's Report By Lee Moore Training Acting for adults and children who have been sexually abused in childhood presents unique personal and professional challenges to PI lawyers, their staff and the experts who are required to make assessments. To date legal and some professional training has not provided practitioners with the necessary skills, knowledge and resources to deal with this type of case or client. Lawyers and experts are frequently asked to imagine the unimaginable and believe the unbelievable. Clients who have been sexually abused as children require particularly sensitive client care which includes a good understanding of the dynamics of abuse, how and when these are replicated during the legal process.
Many practitioners are unaware of how case handling can impact and often re-traumatise a client.
Likewise, some practitioners, particularly if they are empathetic, can experience the often unintended and deleterious effects of secondary trauma that exposure to cases such as these can provoke. Aims of ACAL ACAL is a pioneer in this field for it is at the cutting edge of this sadly rapidly expanding new area of practice. Recognising the need for professional expertise and skills in this area, ACAL was established to provide the essential training and resources for practitioners who are dealing with these type of cases and clients. I am pleased to report that ACAL has achieved much during its first year. Since our first meeting on the 8 th May 1998 ACAL has incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.