29th IACAPAP Lunch & Learn Webinar

^{Note: This webinar has been scheduled to accommodate participants in the Asia time zone.}

The experience of a traumatic event by a child can be very emotionally painful or distressing, and it often results in long-lasting physical and psychological effects.  According to the UNICEF Global Estimates (2024), roughly 1 in 8 girls and 1 in 11 boys have been through sexual abuse.   

There are immediate and delayed effects following child sexual abuse.  Children may develop acute post-traumatic symptoms such as heightened anxiety, hyperarousal, avoidance, and dissociation. These may either resolve or progress to syndromal PTSD later in life. The way each child processes the trauma is dependent on multiple factors, like the genetic vulnerability, temperament of the child, and environmental factors like family and social support. Multiple neurobiological and psychological theories help in understanding the trauma presentation. Early identification and intervention aid a better prognosis.  

Childhood sexual abuse is a "silent epidemic”. Management is not merely symptom reduction; it is the restoration of safety, trust, and developmental continuity. Changes need to happen at multiple levels, creating societal awareness and ensuring trauma-informed practices across services is essential.  

Dr. Satya Raj, MD, DPM, DNB, FRANZCP is Professor and Head of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit at Christian Medical College, Vellore, India. She has extensive experience in child and youth mental health services, including specialized work in infant mental health and services for children with trauma backgrounds. She has previously worked as a Staff Specialist in Child and Youth Mental Health Services and has been associated with programs such as Evolve, which focus on children with complex trauma backgrounds. 

Her areas of clinical and academic interest include infant mental health, childhood trauma, attachment in children, school mental health, and neurodevelopmental disorders. She has been actively involved in clinical care, teaching, research, and capacity building in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. 

Dr. Satya Raj has several publications in national and international peer-reviewed journals and has authored chapters in textbooks on child and adolescent psychiatry. She is an invited speaker at various national and international conferences and workshops and has received multiple academic awards for her contributions to the field. 

She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (FRANZCP), a Life Fellow of the Indian Psychiatric Society, a Life Fellow and Executive Council Member of the Indian Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health (IACAM), a Council Member of the Association of Child and Adolescent Mental Health – Indian Hub, and a member of the World Association of Infant Mental Health (WAIMH), Asian Hub. 

Important Note

1. The IACAPAP webinar will be held at different times to accommodate attendees and members from various regions. The 29th IACAPAP Lunch & Learn Webinar is scheduled to cater to participants in the Asia time zone. 

2. The webinar is open to the members of IACAPAP (Individual Members and Individuals within IACAPAP Full Member organisations and Affiliate Member organisations).  

3. This webinar will be conducted virtually via Zoom. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required in advance. Seats are limited, and it's based on a first-come, first served. 

4. The E-certificate of attendance will be provided to those who have attended and completed the survey at the end of the webinar. Please be advised that the survey for the webinar will be displayed in the browser ONLY after the webinar has ended.