Child sexual exploitation, poly-victimisation and resilience
Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice
ISSN: 2056-3841
Article publication date: 17 December 2021
Issue publication date: 18 February 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the prevalence of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and factors connected in a young adult population, through a series of connected studies. Each study considered exposure to poly-victimisation. The series of studies focussed on a number of factors felt to impact vulnerability and protective factors towards CSE. Specifically caregiver bonds, resilience and attachment style, adolescent risk-taking, quality of caregiver bonds, level/type of supportive relationships and positive schemas, as well as the impact of CSE disclosure and links to attachment style and maladaptive schemas.
Design/methodology/approach
These studies looked at a young adult population, mainly women. Study one (n = 263), study two (n = 138) and study three (n = 211), predominantly collected via a series of online measures.
Findings
Findings demonstrated that around half of children under 16 years had been approached sexually by an adult, with approximately one in four children subsequently exploited. Various results were noted, such as experiencing a primary caregiver as lacking in warmth and affection was associated with those reporting CSE, with further exposure to poly-victimisation contributing to a less functional coping style and insecure attachments. CSE was not associated with higher levels of adolescent risk-taking, poor bonds with the primary caregiver, fewer important childhood relationships and positive schemas.
Practical implications
This paper notes the importance of addressing the functions of behaviours for victims, to reduce re-victimisation risk. It noted the importance of applying theory when working with this population. It introduced the protect and vulnerability model against CSE and has practical applications for professionals working with victims of CSE. This paper argues the importance of individualised assessments for children who are deemed to be “at-risk” of CSE.
Originality/value
Findings were combined to propose the protection against the CSE model and the application of this to intervention and future research is acknowledged.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: Not applicable, not funded.Conflicts of interest/competing interests: none.Availability of data and material: data available on request.Code availability: not applicable.Ethics approval: Ethics approved by the University of Central Lancashire Ethics Committee.Consent to participate: Appropriate consent was gained for each participant.Consent for publication: Not applicable.Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Carol A. Ireland, School of Psychology and Computer Science, Darwin Building, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 2HE, UK.
Citation
Alderson, K., Ireland, C.A., Khan, R., Ireland, J.L. and Lewis, M. (2022), "Child sexual exploitation, poly-victimisation and resilience", Journal of Criminological Research, Policy and Practice, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 53-74. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-04-2021-0017
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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