Building Trust with Children and Young People at Risk of Child Sexual Exploitation: The Professional Challenge

This chapter provides a brief overview of the research on trauma, specifically in relation to the impact of developmental and complex trauma and sexual abuse. An overview of the growing body of research on trauma-informed approaches to practice is also given. It considers how trauma responses are developed while enduring extreme stress, and how these responses may be evident among children and young people with child sexual exploitation (CSE) experiences. The chapter also considers how systems designed to protect and support traumatised children and young people often contribute to their re-traumatisation. It explores principles of trauma-informed practice that are useful in meeting the needs of young people victimised by CSE, discusses how trauma-informed approaches align with strengths-based and relationship-based approaches to CSE practice, and how such approaches can help practitioners understand and promote resilience.

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Strengthening (Re)integration from Child Sexual Exploitation: Children and Young People’s Recommendations

Institutionalised Children Explorations and Beyond ◽

10.1177/2349300320937218 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 183-190

Author(s):

Lopa Bhattacharjee ◽

Helen J. Veitch

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Urban Community ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Financial Independence ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Psychosocial Wellbeing ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

Care Leavers ◽

Key Issues ◽

New Community

This article explores care leavers’ views and recommendations for practitioners and policymakers on the transition from leaving care to living independently in the community. Seven young adults fully reintegrated through programmes in Kathmandu, Nepal, co-produced action research with 21 of their peers (aged 16–26 years). This article outlines how children and young people affected by child sexual exploitation experience community reintegration, and their views on the key issues, reintegration services need to consider. Findings explored boys’ and girls’ experiences of stigma and discrimination by community members and revolved around social and cultural norms and narratives on masculinity and femininity that denied their victimhood. This article focuses on the theme of independence as it appears to reflect a changing context for reintegration practitioners in South Asia. Children and young people had not been reintegrated in their family; instead, they were living independently—a situation that can be described as ‘integration’ (with an urban community) rather than ‘reintegration’ (with their family of origin). Research participants’ exploration of ‘independence’ reflected this context and was defined as emotional or financial independence. The research appears to identify an adaptation to reintegration services to enable a smoother transition for care leavers. Most models of reintegration assume that children will ‘reintegrate’ with their families of origin. This research found that children sexually exploited in Kathmandu chose to ‘integrate’ into a new community to overcome isolation, exclusion and non-acceptance by their families and communities of origin and, in so doing, experienced emotional and financial independence. In this context, successful integration requires the provision of activities for parents that explain indicators of trauma so that they can appropriately support their children. In addition, support for care leavers targeted on psychosocial wellbeing, life-skills and income generation enables young people to live independently from their families and be ‘integrated’ into an urban community.

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‘What's Going On’ to Safeguard Children and Young People from Child Sexual Exploitation: A Review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards’ Work to Protect Children from Sexual Exploitation

Child Abuse Review ◽

10.1002/car.2269 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 23 (3) ◽

pp. 159-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Jenny J. Pearce

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation

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Safe foster care for victims of child sexual exploitation

Safer Communities ◽

10.1108/sc-03-2015-0006 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 37-46 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lucie Elizabeth Shuker

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Foster Care ◽

Young People ◽

Child Protection ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Small Sample ◽

Community Safety ◽

Content Type ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to report on an evaluation of a pilot of specialist foster care for children at risk, or victims, of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and/or trafficking. Design/methodology/approach – The research adopted a multi-case study approach, gathering placement documentation, interviews and weekly monitoring logs throughout the duration of the 13 placements. Findings – This evaluation found that safety for those at risk, or victims, of CSE within the in-care population has both a physical and a relational element. The most successful placements were able to deploy restrictive safety measures effectively by tipping the balance of care and control towards demonstrations of compassion and acceptance. Good relationships in these foster homes unlocked other positive outcomes, including reduced missing incidences and increased awareness of exploitation. Research limitations/implications – The small sample size within this pilot project suggests the need for further research to test the applicability of the notion of multi-dimensional safety to young people’s welfare more generally. Practical implications – The findings confirm previous research that highlights the importance of stable relationships in child protection. They have implications for current tendencies to commission short-term CSE interventions that are unlikely to create the relational security that can improve community safety for young people. Originality/value – This is the first published evaluation of specialist accommodation for those affected by CSE in the UK, and its findings will therefore be of most value to commissioners and providers of care to looked after young people. The concept of multi-dimensional safety will be relevant to those with responsibility for child welfare/safeguarding.

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Listening to Young People with Learning Disabilities Who Have Experienced, or Are at Risk of, Child Sexual Exploitation in the UK

Children & Society ◽

10.1111/chso.12231 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 32 (2) ◽

pp. 98-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anita Franklin ◽

Emilie Smeaton

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Learning Disabilities ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

The Uk

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Roma Children and Young People in Bulgaria: Patterns of Risk and Effective Protection in Relation to Child Sexual Exploitation

Social Inclusion ◽

10.17645/si.v3i4.224 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (4) ◽

pp. 1-9 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kate D'Arcy ◽

Isabelle Brodie

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

Care Systems ◽

Prosecution Strategies ◽

The Uk ◽

Children In Care ◽

Comparative Information

This article examines patterns of risk regarding child sexual exploitation (CSE). There is specific focus on those living in alternative care, child sexual exploitation and trafficking among Roma communities in Bulgaria and the UK. Data is drawn from a desk-based literature review and partnership work with Bulgarian and British academics and practitioners to explore the issues in both countries. Although there is limited statistical data on CSE and children in care across Europe and the risk-factors for Roma children and young people are still not being fully recognised, we can draw on what is known in Bulgaria to inform practice in the UK with emerging Roma communities. Research on CSE more generally can also inform awareness of risk factors particularly around care systems. Comparative information about what is known in the UK and Bulgaria is considered in order to make some recommendations for international prevention, protection efforts, and prosecution strategies for the future.

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Recognising and responding to young people with learning disabilities who experience, or are at risk of, child sexual exploitation in the UK

Children and Youth Services Review ◽

10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.11.009 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 474-481 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Anita Franklin ◽

Emilie Smeaton

Keyword(s):

At Risk ◽

Learning Disabilities ◽

Young People ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

The Uk

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Some concluding thoughts

Child Sexual Exploitation: Why Theory Matters ◽

10.1332/policypress/9781447351412.003.0013 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 247-250

Author(s):

Jenny Pearce

Keyword(s):

Young People ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Theory And Practice ◽

Children And Young People ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

The Relationship ◽

Sexually Exploited Children

This chapter returns the discussion to the relationship between theory and practice in child sexual exploitation (CSE) intervention. It also tracks the broader implications of such an approach in related fields. While the sexual exploitation of children is the focus of this book, the ideas within it can be used to explore a range of forms of exploitation and abuse of children. Furthermore, these perspectives and political and economic concerns are explored in the book with sexually exploited children in mind, they are transferable to other exploitative contexts facing a range of children and young people. In addition, the chapter discusses some further avenues for exploration and implementation, including options for the setting up or reform of a service for children and young people.

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