Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

In the UK, knowledge about child sexual exploitation has developed rapidly in recent

decades. The upsurge in child sexual exploitation has resulted in a legislative response in a

bid to mitigate the issue. Presently, it is known that perpetrators of exploitation take

advantage of the victims social, economic, cognitive, and emotional vulnerability. In most

cases, the exploitation is performed for commercial gain. However, there is a lack of consent

from the victims. Child sexual exploitation exists within the frameworks of culture. It starts

with the belief that normalises or fails to recognise the seriousness of the issue. In this study,

the researcher will examine the prevalence of child sexual exploitation in the UK, including

the exploitation discourses that prevail within the society.

Annotated Bibliography

Coy, M. (2016) Joining the dots on sexual exploitation of children and women: A way

forward for UK policy responses, Critical Social Policy, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 572-591.

In the article, the authors explore the policy responses to child sexual exploitation (CSE), as

well as the links between the exploitation of adult women and young girls. In the paper, the

author argues that efforts to eliminate CSE will require a wider, gendered view of sexual

exploitation. Based on feminist approaches, the author argues that CSE agencies should

support policy makers who are against sex for pay. The author of the article is the deputy

director of the Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit (CWASU), at the London

Metropolitan University. She has written other literature on similar topics. Therefore, this

resource is useful as it offers a different approach of viewing the complex problem of child

and young population sexual exploitation.

 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

Chase, E., & Statham, J. (2005) Commercial and sexual exploitation of children and young

people in the UKa review. Child Abuse Review, vol. 14, no. 1, pp. 4-25.

doi:10.1002/car.881

In the article, the authors review information concerning the sexual exploitation of children

and young people. Three most important aspects of the problem are identified; abuse through

prostitution, abuse of the victims through pornography; and trafficking of children and the

young population to and through the UK for the purpose of commercial sexual exploitation.

The researchers majorly focus on the operation of the young population for the purpose of

prostitution. The review exposes several vulnerability factors such as family abuse/violence;

losing contact with family and social support; peer pressure, and financial constraints.

Also, the researchers examine other factors, such as the process used to engage the youths

and the children in prostitution, as well as the types of support strategies exhibited by those

being exploited. The authors discuss the use of the internet in spreading the risk of child

sexual exploitation. Coram argues that the web presents a platform for perpetrators to target

children and groom them for exploitation purposes. Data for the study is retrieved through

literature and internet searches, as well as contact with UK professionals in the field. The

article is useful as it sheds light on the nature and scale of CSE. The authors also provide

information on the characteristics of those affected, and the mechanisms employed to exploit

the young population in the UK.

Franklin, A. & Smeaton, E. (2016) 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.

In the article, Franklin and Smeaton (2016), focus on the vulnerability of the young

population, particularly those with a learning disability. The study observes that there has
 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

been an increased risk of CSE for the young population with learning disabilities. The authors

examined the systems established to protect, identify and support this vulnerable population

within the UK. Franklin and Smeaton collect data through the use of a survey that was issued

to local authorities in the UK. Furthermore, the authors examine a sample of services

established for the purpose of providing support to the disabled children. Also, the authors

carry out in-depth interviews consisting of 34 professionals stakeholders and 27 young

people with learning disabilities. In the study, the authors observe that there is a need for

education, training, and raising awareness amongst young people, professionals, and families.

The study is unique as it focuses on a vulnerable section of the young population, that is, the

children with disabilities. Franklin and Smeaton examine the policy context and observe that

implementation of the guidelines is still an issue. The authors are well-versed in the topic. For

instance, Anita Franklin is a Reader in Children and Family Researcher. The author has

written many books and has taken on projects on child protection.

Lombard, N. & McMillan, L. (2013) Violence against women: current theory and practice in

domestic abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation, Dawson eBooks LondonMet.

In the book, Lombard and McMillan argue that violence against women encompasses

domestic abuse, rape, sexual abuse, child abuse, trafficking, and sex work/prostitution

amongst others. The book is useful for the study as it examines issues pertinent to women,

including young women. Through the evaluation of relevant research findings, policies, and

debates surrounding violence against women, the book posits that the construction of the

issue within the framework of gender is paramount to the understanding of the causes of

violence against women. According to the authors, a gendered analysis of violence against

women views mens violence against women as a manifestation of the power imbalance

between genders (Lombard & McMillan, 2013). The authors view issues such as child sexual

exploitation are the outcome of deeply rooted structural relationships of inequality between
 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

genders. The book is ideal for the study as it presents relevant information on factors such as

coercive control. Also, the authors utilise contemporary theories and practice on the issue of

violence against women.

The authors of the book are well-versed in the field of gender and women studies. Nancy

Lombard is a lecturer at the University of Glasgow, Scotland where she teaches sociology.

Her research interests include mens violence against women, particularly for children and

the young population. Lombard has been an activist and researcher on violence against

women for 15 years.

Jewkes, Y. & Yar, M. (2013) Handbook of internet crime, Routledge.

The book by Jewkes and Yar(2013) examines various forms of internet crime, including child

sexual exploitation. The internet has become of the key platforms that perpetrators of CSE

use to target, coerce and groom children for exploitation purposes. In the book, the authors

argue that with the advancement of each technology, material on child pornography have

managed to proliferate online platforms thereby making them accessible to consumers of

such materials. The authors examine the scale and scope of the issues and factors that fuel the

existence of online child pornographic materials. Also, the book presents previous research

on the subject of child pornography. Jewkes and Yar argue that the child images displayed on

the internet facilitate an increased and deliberate sexual victimisation of the victims. The

authors also examine the laws developed in response to the issue and the underlying

motivation of the consumers of these images.

The book by Jewkes and Yar is beneficial as it provides information on how the internet has

been used to fuel CSE. The book contributes to the field of knowledge examining the

dynamic nature of the interaction between victim and offender during the offending process.

It also sheds light on the social, demographic, and psychological factors of young people that
 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

put them at risk of online sexual exploitation. The book is relatively current as it was

published in 2013. Furthermore, the book is from a reliable publishing house and credible

authors.

Crosson-Tower, C. (2014) Confronting child and adolescent sexual abuse, SAGE.

The book by Crosson-Tower provides an overview on child sexual abuse, including the

history, dynamics, and theories presented in explaining the issue. The book also sheds light

on the victims, perpetrators, and non-offending parents, as well as the intervention

approaches that are currently being used. Crosson-Tower conceptualises sexual abuse today

as a complex issue in which victims, members, perpetrators and other family members

interact within the system under the influence of culture. This book is unique as it questions

the Western culture that appears to support the involvement of a young boy with an older

woman, yet criticise the involvement of a young girl with an older man as a form of abuse.

The author argues that there is a little disregard for the exploitation of the male child.

According to Crosson-Tower, culture significantly impacts the definition of child sexual

abuse. As a consequence, boys are rarely victimised, and girls may be blamed for their abuse.

The information presented in the book is supported by research and data from relevant

organisations such as the Department of Health. The information is timely as the book was

published in 2014. Also, the book was published by a reputable publisher. The author of the

book, Dr. Cynthia Crosson Tower is a National Expert on Child Abuse and Neglect. The

author has written several books on the issue, such as, Understanding Child Abuse and

Neglect, Exploring Child Welfare: A Practice Perspective.

NSPCC. Child sexual exploitation at a glance, viewed 17 May 2017 from

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-

exploitation/
 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) is an organisation that

fights for the childhood of every child in the UK. The NSPCC is a charity organisation that

helps victims of child abuse to rebuild their lives. Furthermore, the organisation advocates for

the protection of those at risk of ill-treatment. In the website, the group looks into the issue of

child sexual exploitation of children in the UK. They recognise that child sexual exploitation

is a type of abuse. According to the organisation, children are coerced into the practice by

receiving gifts. The children enter into exploitative relationships in which they may receive

money, gifts, or affection. In addition to this, NSPCC notes that some children are trafficked

into the country for exploitation. The site sheds light on the scale of the issue through offering

certain statistics. For instance, the organisation notes that from August 2010 to October 2011,

2,400 who were victims of CSE were from gangs. However, the data is derived from other

sources. The organisation also summarises what research reveals about the issue. For

instance, NSPCC observes that CSE occurs within the framework of child abuse. The website

offers links to more information concerning the issue, for example, the individuals at high

risk, how to prevent it, and the latest facts and statistics on CSE.

NWG (2017) Definition and types of sexual exploitation, viewed 17 May 2017 from

http://www.nwgnetwork.org/definition-types-of-cse/

The NWG (National Working Group for Sexually Exploited Children and Young People) is a

charitable organisation based in the UK. The organisation has an established network of

13,000 practitioners who distribute information to other services and professionals working

on the issue of child sexual exploitation. In the website, the organisation defines CSE as a

situation in which an individual or a group takes advantage of the power imbalance in a bid to

coerce the youth, or the child into sexual activity. This exchange takes place between the

offender and the victim in which the victim may have their financial needs met. The site

looks at all frameworks of CSE, including the sexual exploitation of boys, and the reasons
 Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in UK

why it goes unrecognised. NWG argues that sexual exploitation of males goes unrecognised

due to the difficulty of males disclosing their experience. The link between sexual

exploitation and trafficking is also examined, with the NWG arguing that children are subject

to human trafficking for exploitation purposes. Lastly, NWG observes that sexual exploitation

is a complex problem with economic, social, legal, political, and ethical dimensions. The site

is useful for the study as it is extensive and provides much information concerning the issue

of CSE.

Gov.UK (2017) Government delivers 40 million to tackle child sexual abuse and child

trafficking, viewed 17 May 2017 from

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-delivers-40-million-to-tackle-

child-sexual-abuse-and-child-trafficking

This government site provides up to date information on the governments efforts to eliminate

CSE and trafficking. In the website, the government states that they have allocated 40

million to tackle the issue. The new strategy includes the launch of a new Centre of Expertise

on child sexual abuse. An extra 20 was assigned to the national crime agency that focuses on

tackling online sexual exploitation. Also, 2.2 million was set aside for organisations that

seek to protect children at risk of trafficking. The site sheds light on the aims of the

government. These purposes include protecting children at risk of trafficking and increasing

support for the victims of abuse. The website is important as it adds knowledge to how the

government is responding to the increased cases of CSE. The measures set up are in response

to a previous progress report on tackling child sexual exploitation. The report detailed the

steps taken so far and what more needs to be undertaken in response to the issue. The

information in the website also follows a 2015 report on tackling CSE which entailed the

government coming up with an ambitious plan to address the flaws that impede on the

protection of children.