Utilising the arts to tackle child sexual exploitation

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Claire Cody
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Ethical Implications ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Potential Use

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential use of creative, arts-based methods to address child sexual exploitation (CSE) through connecting with and supporting young people affected by CSE; and engaging the wider community through awareness-raising and education to help keep young people safe. The use of the arts in building understanding, promoting agency, educating and countering negative portrayals of those affected by CSE are also explored. Design/methodology/approach – A literature review identified that there is currently a limited evidence-base surrounding the use of arts in addressing the negative outcomes for young people affected by CSE and promoting the inclusion and safety of young people in the community. To explore the potential use of the arts in engaging young people and the communities they inhabit, this paper draws from research with other “hard to engage” and stigmatised groups, and learning from efforts to tackle other sensitive and challenging issues that impact on communities. Findings – The paper suggests that despite the relatively young evidence base concerning the role of creative, arts-based methods to tackle CSE, there is relevant transferable learning that suggests that there is potential in utilising the arts to help prevent CSE and promote community safety. Research limitations/implications – There is a clear need to consider the ethical implications of this work and to further examine how the arts may be utilised to tackle CSE and bring about positive outcomes for both individuals and for the wider community. Originality/value – The paper brings together bodies of literature from other fields to explore the potential use of creative arts-based methods to tackle a significant contemporary issue of community safety.

Safe foster care for victims of child sexual exploitation

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-46 ◽  
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.

Child maltreatment: how can friends contribute to safety?

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra Sue Allnock
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Child Maltreatment ◽  
Emotional Abuse ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Community Safety ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Abuse And Neglect ◽  
Rich Information

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study of support received by 60 young adults who experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse and neglect in childhood. It is focussed on the support provided by friends in particular, and draws out relevant learning for child sexual exploitation (CSE). Design/methodology/approach – In all, 60 young people completed a questionnaire, complemented by a two hour follow-up interview to explore experiences of formal and informal support in disclosing abuse. In total, 13 young people were recruited on the basis of their prior participation in a larger, associated study of child abuse and neglect, with the remainder recruited via open invitation. Findings – There is rich information in the interviews about the ways that friends provided support to participants. Friends provided practical, moral and emotional support. They intervened to keep their friends safe. They offered emotional “escape” and a conduit to adults who could help keep them safe. Importantly, friends recognised that participants were in distress even when they did not know the participants were being abused. Practical implications – The results highlight that friends have a crucial role to play in helping children to keep safe and to feel safe, provided that they are equipped with information and knowledge of how to respond and where to seek help. Originality/value – The paper is original in considering the role of friends within a community safety framework. In addition, the study sample is larger than other studies of its kind, and considers a wider variety of child maltreatment experiences than previous studies, making clear links to CSE.

Keeping it from the community

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 56-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Sharp
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
Research Review ◽  
Forced Marriage ◽  
Case Study Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the links between forced marriage, running away/going missing and child sexual exploitation. Design/methodology/approach – An extensive research review and interviews with experts and practitioners across the three fields identified a total of 22 cases in which young people (aged 18 and under) had experienced some combination of all three issues. Of these, nine case studies involving South Asian young people were explored in depth using a case study methodology. Findings – Through adopting constitutive intersectionality as an analytical framework, the power of “community” emerged as a distinct theme within the cases. Concern about both family and community “honour” impacted young people’s decision making and help seeking processes. “Honour” also impacted parental responses to the young people as well as how they engaged with the professionals seeking to support them. Research limitations/implications – The safety of mothers also emerged as an issue, suggesting that this is an area for further research. Practical implications – Practical implications for practice included: the need to address barriers to young people disclosing abuse and entering into the criminal justice process; difficulties associated with finding safe spaces to work with young people; the need to identify effective ways of working with abused young people who are unable to draw on relational and social support; and dangers associated with accessing support services. Originality/value – An extensive review of the relevant research literature failed to uncover links between forced marriage, going missing and child sexual exploitation. This led the author to assert that the risk of child sexual exploitation as it relates to young South Asian young people who run away from home to escape forced marriage has been both under-acknowledged and under-explored (Sharp, 2013). Empirical research undertaken by the author over a 15-month period confirmed this assertion.

scholarly journals Providing support and therapy for victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 38-45
Author(s):  
Nick Frost
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Public Mental Health ◽  
Therapeutic Interventions ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
High Profile ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyse the public mental health challenges arising in the field of child sexual exploitation (CSE) from the perspective of frontline professionals. Design/methodology/approach The methods included semi-structured face-to-face individual interviews (n=6) and focus groups (two groups with a total of eight participants = 8), all participants work with CSE-experienced young people. Findings Professionals report how they offer support and therapy to CSE-experienced young people. Findings are outlined in relation to support, therapeutic interventions, multi-agency working, what works and the challenges and issues faced in their professional roles. Research limitations/implications The paper reports briefly on a substantial amount of data. A further limitation is that there is a need to gather data directly from the perspective of young people. Practical implications The high quality of work undertaken and the need to further develop therapeutic work with the CSE-experienced young people emerges from the findings. Social implications CSE is a high-profile public health issue which attracts considerable public and political attention. Originality/value The data gathered reflect the contemporary views of frontline professionals in a challenging and complex field of practice.

scholarly journals Vulnerability and child sexual exploitation: Towards an approach grounded in life experiences

2019 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 622-642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Brown
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Life Stories ◽  
Life Experiences ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Social Divisions ◽  
Structural Forces ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Social Marginality ◽  
Northern City

As child sexual exploitation (CSE) has risen towards the top of the UK’s political agenda, the concept of vulnerability has become a central frame through which to understand and address the issue. This article analyses problems with the concept of vulnerability as it is commonly understood in relation to CSE, taking first steps towards developing an empirically-grounded account of the notion which is more sensitive to the lived realities of victimhood for sexually exploited young people. Drawing on data from participatory qualitative research into life stories of ‘moving on’ from CSE in a large Northern city in England, the article illustrates how vulnerability is shaped through individual factors, situational dynamics and structural forces, connected by human agency through time. It argues that to respond effectively to vulnerability within the field of CSE, we need to move beyond discussion of ‘risk factors’ and denial of agency, towards an understanding of intersectional social divisions, social marginality, ‘critical moments’ and how these shape the investments and actions of vulnerable young people.

Rethinking mental health provision in the secure estate for children and young people: a framework for integrated care (SECURE STAIRS)

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Taylor ◽  
Lisa Shostak ◽  
Andrew Rogers ◽  
Paul Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young People ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Record Keeping ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Trauma Informed Care ◽  
Assessment And Treatment ◽  
Trauma Informed

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to outline the challenges to achieving positive outcomes for young people within the secure estate in England, and introduces a psychologically informed framework, SECURE STAIRS (SS), aimed at improving outcomes. Design/methodology/approach The paper argues that there is a need for a fundamental shift in the way care and intervention for young people within the secure estate is delivered. It gives an overview of current challenges and needs and summarises the theoretical concepts and evidence base which can guide practice and form the foundations of the SS framework. Findings The framework recommends that intervention shift from focussing primarily on individual assessment and treatment to a greater emphasis on supporting the work of the wider system of care. Recommendations include promoting trauma-informed care, a focus on the system dynamics within institutions and how these impact on the care young people receive, and on the collaborative development with residential staff and young people of formulation-led care plans that include a focus on issues of sustainability after leaving the secure estate. Practical implications These include the establishment of discrete residential groupings with truly integrated and trauma-informed work across residential, mental health, education and criminal justice agencies. This involves addressing governance issues around shared record keeping, and challenges to sustainability and the accompanying need for local implementation plans for each establishment alongside central support at a strategic level. Originality/value This paper describes a new and innovative way of working within secure settings to ensure children and young people’s needs are better met.

Understanding trauma and its relevance to child sexual exploitation

2019 ◽  
pp. 151-172
Author(s):  
Kristine Hickle
Keyword(s):  
Young People ◽  
Complex Trauma ◽  
Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Children And Young People ◽  
Extreme Stress ◽  
Child Sexual Exploitation ◽  
Trauma Informed ◽  
Trauma Informed Practice ◽  
Trauma Responses ◽  
The Impact

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.

Coming home to the arts: theatre with military veterans and families

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alison O’Connor
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Military Veterans ◽  
Creative Arts ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Choral Singing ◽  
The Arts ◽  
Complex Emotions ◽  
Post Traumatic

Purpose A significant number of military veterans and family members are living with post-traumatic stress, unmet mental health needs and isolation. There is growing interest in the potential of theatre and the expressive arts as a positive intervention with this population. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the Coming Home programme which aims to create opportunities for military veterans and families to develop an ongoing engagement with the arts and through that engagement to access new ways of regulating and expressing complex emotions. Design/methodology/approach This case study shares reflections from Re-Live’s current theatre programme, Coming Home. The programme methodology uses reflective writing, theatre and choral singing to develop participants wellbeing and reduce isolation. Findings Initial feedback suggests that this programme has significant potential as a way of reconnecting veterans and families with their community and improving their wellbeing. The emotional release of group singing and performing together has been powerful. Participants report that the Coming Home programme is connecting them with parts of themselves they thought had gone forever: humour, spontaneity, fun – and having a positive impact on their wellbeing. Originality/value This case study contributes to the literature from the exciting and emerging field of the use of the creative arts with military veterans and families.

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