Child sexual exploitation
| Date | 14 November 2016 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-07-2016-0036 |
| Pages | 292-295 |
| Published date | 14 November 2016 |
| Author | Kirsty Amanda Alderson |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Forensic practice,Sociology,Sociology of crime & law,Law enforcement/correctional,Public policy & environmental management,Policing,Criminal justice |
Brief review
Child sexual exploitation
Kirsty Amanda Alderson
Kirsty Amanda Alderson is a
Forensic Psychologist in
Training at Coastal Child and
Adult Therapeutic Services,
Poulton le Fylde, UK and
Department of Psychology,
University of Central
Lancashire, Preston, UK.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to offer an overview of the research to date, including how some
findings have informed practice within child care organisations in England and Wales. The challenges of
applying this research are considered, along with some of its key limitations. Avenues for future research are
proposed, but understanding will only progress further if research is underpinned by appropriate theory. This
paper suggests promising theory that could be applied to CSE. There is also a need to consider CSE risk
more holistically and not just in relation to the presence or absence of discrete vulnerability factors.
Design/methodology/approach –Thisis a brief overview of the literature to date, with a focus on how it has
been applied by child care professionals.
Findings –Discusses how some findings have informed practice within child care organisations in
England and Wales.
Originality/value –This is a viewpoint piece.
Keywords Safeguarding, Vulnerability, Child maltreatment, Child sexual exploitation, Childhood adversity,
Sexual abuse
Paper type Viewpoint
This paper offers an overview of the research to date, including how some findings have informed
practice within child care organisations in England and Wales. The challenges of applying this
research are considered, along with some of its key limitations. Finally, avenues for future
research are proposed that will further our understanding of child sexual exploitation (CSE). The
paper argues for a strong theory base, which is currently underdeveloped within this area.
CSE is a form of sexual abuse where children or young people “swap”sex for favours such as
affection,food, accommodation, drugs andgifts. Individuals may receive suchgoods as a result of
them performing, and/or others performing on them, sexual activities (Barnardo’s, 2011). It may
also occur in the absenceof physical contact, for example,being instructed to post sexual images
on the internet or mobile telephones or to engage in sexual acts whilst in communication with a
perpetrator (O’Connell, 2003). In all cases there is an imbalance of power in favour of the
perpetrator, who might be an adult or a peer. Some children and young people may view the
exchange of sex asa means to provide for basic needs. A perpetrator may initiallyshow kindness
and affectionand as a result many victims do not realisethey are being exploited. Perpetratorsmay
also use violence, coercion, threats and intimidation to secure compliance (Barnardo’s, 2011).
Historically CSE research was driven by children’s charities, with the purpose of revealing the
nature and extent of the problem and lobbying the government to adapt policy and practice in
relation to this issue. Prevalence has been difficult to establish due to the hidden nature of the
abuse and the reluctance of many children and young people to report it (Barnardo’s, 2011).
Furthermore, this has been hampered by the repeated failure of some local authorities to
recognise it (Berelowitz et al., 2015b). The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England
undertook a two year inquiry into CSE among gangs and groups. It revealed 2,409 individuals
under the age of 18 who were confirmed as victims of CSE in a 14 month period from 2010 to
Received 27 July 2016
Revised 27 July 2016
27 July 2016
Accepted 27 July 2016
PAGE292
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JOURNAL OF FORENSIC PRACTICE
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VOL. 18 NO. 4 2016, pp. 292-295, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2050-8794 DOI 10.1108/JFP-07-2016-0036
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