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Child Sexual Exploitation in England (UK)

Child Sexual Exploitation in England (UK). Dr. Debbie Allnock, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking, University of Bedfordshire. Presentation overview. CSE in England today + a brief history

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Child Sexual Exploitation in England (UK)

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  1. Child Sexual Exploitation in England (UK) Dr. Debbie Allnock, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking, University of Bedfordshire

  2. Presentation overview CSE in England today + a brief history CSE defined in English policy & legislation Responding to CSE: 1) Prevention of CSE 2) Identification of CSE 3) Protection of/ working with victims of CSE 4) Disruption & prosecution of CSE

  3. CSE in England today 2015 CSE is a ‘national threat’ “To help tackle offenders we have given child sexual abuse the status of a national threat in the Strategic Policing Requirement so that this is prioritised by every police force” (HM Government, 2015) New definition & guidance issued 2017 Remains very high profile

  4. A brief history of CSE • Pre-2000 – ‘child prostitution’ /criminalisation • Post-2000 – ‘child sexual exploitation’/ child welfare issue • Expansion of types of abuse that are included • Poor responses by the child protection and criminal justice system • 2010 First group conviction – Rotherham • 2012 Rochdale sex abuse ring prosecution • 2012 Jimmy Savile

  5. What has been the impact of all of this?

  6. CSE defined Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.3 The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology (Department for Education, 2017)

  7. Applying the definition and/or

  8. Legislation • Sexual offences legislation (Sexual Offences Act, 2003) • section 48: causing or inciting child prostitution or pornography • section 49: controlling a child prostitute or a child involved in pornography • section 50: arranging or facilitating child prostitution or pornography. • Amendment by Serious Crime Act 2015 – replacing ‘child prostitution’ language with ‘child sexual exploitation’ • But behaviours remain the same (‘financial exchange’)

  9. Confusion: policy and legislation (E&W) Only within CSE policy definitions Only within sexual exploitation of children offences Exchange for financial advantage Common to legislative and policy definitions (Beckett, 2015)

  10. System responses to CSE

  11. Prevention: What are the systemic issues? Limited evidence on effective prevention Reluctance of government to fund prevention activity Reluctance to support initiatives in school based sex & relationships education Agencies ‘passing the buck’

  12. What is good practice in prevention?

  13. Challenges in identifying CSE • Child protection system not set up to address CSE • High ‘thresholds’ for social (children’s) care • Criminal justice system failures • Poor information sharing between agencies

  14. Good practice in identification • Safeguarding is ‘everybody’s business’ • Health and education professionals in good position to identify CSE or risks • Identifying risks early • Sharing information to form a ‘picture’ • Early and comprehensive assessment

  15. Protecting/working with YP Young people can display ‘challenging’ behaviours (anger, running away etc.) But, what about professionals’ challenging responses? It can take time to develop relationships Professionals’ workloads are high; fail to ‘see’ Gaps in service provision

  16. Working with young people: learning from the specialist voluntary sector

  17. The criminal justice system: what are the issues? Failures by the police ‘Reactive’ policing Poor police data Information sharing Crown Prosecution Service Slow, lengthy and complex investigations and trials

  18. What does a good criminal justice response look like? Consistent support of young people through process Multi-agency information/ intelligence sharing & support

  19. Regional CSE coordinators, analysts and prevent officers • Government funded, short term transformation initiative • National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for Child Protection & Abuse Investigation • 10 police regions in England & Wales • Designated coordinator, analyst and prevent officer in each region

  20. Spotlight on multi-agency approaches: The Children’s Society prevent network – Boys & young men Context Avoid duplication Partnership Sustainability

  21. Marginal Gains: Young people and police working together to make small changes

  22. For more information and resources visit our website www.beds.ac.uk/ic or our blog www.uniofbedscse.com @uniofbedscse Debra.allnock@beds.ac.uk

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