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Date: August 17, 2024 Sat
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Results for child sexual abuse
277 results foundAuthor: Gallagher, Bernard Title: International and Internet Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Research Report Summary: There has, in recent years, been growing awareness and concern over cases of child sexual abuse (CSA)which have an international dimension or which involve the Internet. However, relatively little is known about these cases, as a result of which the policy and practice response may not be as appropriate or effective as it should be. This research project, directed by Bernard Gallgher, and funded by The Nuffield Foundation, was designed to further knowledge of international and Internet CSA, and in doing so contribute to the development of policy and practice. Details: Hudderfields, UK: Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield, 2006 Source: The Nuffield Foundation Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 104160 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInternational CrimeInternet |
Author: Pauls, Monica Title: An Evaluation of the Mamowichihitowin Community Wellness Program: Phase 1: Program Description and Logic Model Summary: The purpose of this research project was to conduct the first phase of an evaluation of the Mamowichihitowin Community Wellness Program (MCWP) located in Hinton, Alberta. Developed under the umbrella of the Hinton Friendship Centre, the MCWP is a holistic and comprehensive response to the issue of intra-familial child sexual abuse, with a specific focus on Aboriginal communities. Details: Ottawa: Aboriginal Corrections Policy Unit, Public Safety Canada, 2004 Source: Canadian Research Institute for Law and the Family Year: 2004 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 114769 Keywords: AboriginalsChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Priebe, Gisela Title: Adolescents' Experiences of Sexual Abuse: Prevalence, Abuse Characteristics, Disclosure, Health and Ethical Aspects Summary: The purpose of this thesis was to investigate aspects of self-reported sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence in a population-based study of Swedish high school students. The aim of this thesis was first to investigate the lifetime prevalence of sexual abuse of varying severity and characteristics as well as the associations between sexual abuse, gender, socio-demographic characteristics and consensual sexual experiences. Details: Lund, Sweden: Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117347 Keywords: AdolescentsChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Feinstein, Clare Title: Children's and Adolescents' Participation and Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Summary: This paper presents an overview of government commitments concerning children's and adolescents' participation in the fight against sexual abuse and exploitation; children's and adolescents' own recommendations to end sexual abuse and exploitation of children; and inspiring case studies that provide concrete recommendations for strengthening children's and adolescents' involvement in child protection. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2009 Source: Innocenti Working Paper; 2009-09 Year: 2009 Country: Italy URL: Shelf Number: 114869 Keywords: AdolescentsChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Finkelhor, David Title: Sexually Assaulted Children: National Estimates and Characteristics Summary: The bulletin provides information on the estimated number and characteristics of sexually assaulted children in the United States in 1999, based on National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway Children (NISMART) -2 interviews with victims and their families. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2008 Source: NISMART (National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Throwaway Children) Bulletin Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 116298 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse |
Author: Canada. Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime Title: Every Image, Every Child: Internet-Facilitated Child Sexual Abuse in Canada Summary: This report gives an overview of the problem of Internet-facilitated child sexual abuse, provides limited historical information about what has been done by the federal government on the issue to date, identifies issues that negatively impact child victims and makes recommendations for positive change. Details: Ottawa: 2009 Source: Year: 2009 Country: Canada URL: Shelf Number: 115363 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInternetPornography |
Author: Gallagher, Bernard Title: International and Internet Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: Research Report Summary: From the report: "there has, in recent years, been growing awareness and concern over cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) which have an international dimension or which involve the Internet. However, relatively little is known about these cases, as a result of which the policy and practice response may not be as appropriate or effective as it should be. This research project, directed by Bernard Gallagher, and funded by The Nuffield Foundation, was designed to further knowledge of international and Internet CSA, and in doing so contribute to the development of policy and practice. Details: Hudderfields, UK: Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield, 2006 Source: Year: 2006 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 104160 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInternetPornography |
Author: Asquith, Stewart Title: Recovery and Reintegration of Chidlren from the Effects of Sexual Exploitation and Related Trafficking Summary: This report explores the wide range of initiatives, projects and programs available to support sexually exploited children through the recovery and reintegration process. These include psychosocial, family, community, shelter-based and residential-based initiatives, and the provision of child protection service in general. Details: Geneva: Oak Foundation, 2008. 49p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 117771 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex Trafficking |
Author: International Labour Organization Title: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Belize Summary: This study on the commercial sexual exploitation of children is intended as one of the many effects aimed at the continued strengthening of the child protection responses. It helps us to better understand the manifestation of the issue in Belize, both in its old forms and its emerging ones, and it also helps us to see it through the new lens of being one of the worst forms of child labor being experienced by children globally. Details: San Jose, Costa Rica: International Labour Office, 2006. 163p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Costa Rica URL: Shelf Number: 117717 Keywords: Child LaborChild Sexual AbuseSex Trafficking |
Author: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Title: Children Talking to ChildLine About Sexual Abuse Summary: This report presents a detailed analysis of calls to ChildLine (UK) about sexual abuse from April 2008 to March 2009. Details: London: NSPCC, 2009. 29p. Source: ChildLine Casenotes Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117338 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse |
Author: Bryant, Colleen Title: Pornography Awareness: A Process of Engagement with Northern Territory Indigenous Communities Summary: In 2007, concerns about the exposure of Indigenous children to pornography and links between the use of pornography and sexual abuse of children led to the developing of a media classification awareness and education campaign for Indigenous communities. This led to a series of consultations, particularly with Indigenous men, across the Northern Territory. These consultations provided input into the messages to be delivered through the campaign, the appropriate target audiences, critical success factors, risks and sensitivities, and the development of a communications strategy. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2009. 74p. Source: Technical and Background Paper Series no. 34 Year: 2009 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 117614 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseMedia CampaignsPornography |
Author: Kemshall, Hazel Title: Child Sex Offender Review (CSOR) Public Disclosure Pilots: A Process Evaluation Summary: The Child Sexual Offender Review (2007) recommended that a pilot be set up to provide members of the public with a formal mechanism for requesting information about individuals who have unsupervised access to children and who may have convictions for child sexual offending. The public disclosure pilot was established in four police forces in England running for one-year from September 2008-09. A process evaluation was conducted to look at the success of the pilot. The evaluation used qualitative and quantitative data to assess the extent and nature of applications, whether the pilots contributed to existing child protection arrangements and the cost of implementation. Details: London: Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate, 2010. 41p. Source: Internet Resource; Home Office Research Report 32 Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 117629 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenders |
Author: International Tribunal for Children's Rights Title: International Dimensions of the Sexual Exploitation of Children: Global Report Summary: The sexual abuse and exploitation committed on children by adults surpass all national boundaries. These abuses thus become the responsibility of more than one state, they become, in effect, an international problem. Some of the most common examples of these international dimensions of sexual exploitation of children include child sex tourism, cross-border trafficking of children for sexual purposes, child pornography and most recently the use of the Internet as a new channel for the proliferation of these forms of abuse and exploitation. This report presents an analysis and compilation of the recommendations produced by the first cycle of interventions of the International Tribunal for Children's Rights in France, Brazil and Sri Lanka. The recommendations cover a wide array of measures aimed at better protecting children from sexual exploitation and ensuring that their abusers are properly prosecuted and convicted, all over the world. Details: Montreal: International Bureau for Children's Rights, 1999. 116p. Source: Year: 1999 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 102426 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseHuman TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: O'Briain, Muireann Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Tourism Summary: Efforts to combat the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism have been ongoing for almost 30 years. Since the early awareness-raising campaigns, work has developed into multi-stakeholder, multi-sectoral programs including training, developing and implementing codes of conduct, and building an ethic of personal responsibility. However, the demand for children and young people as sexual partners remains, fed by poverty and social exclusion. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2008. 62p. Source: Year: 2008 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 114866 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex TourismSex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: Thomas, Frederic Title: Who Are the Child Sex Tourists in Cambodia? Summary: The purpose of this research is to gain a better understanding of the demand factors that drive the child sex tourism industry in Cambodia. It presents an insight into who the child sex tourists to Cambodia are and their modus operandi. Details: South Melbourne, Australia: Child Wise, 2006. 53p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Cambodia URL: Shelf Number: 118323 Keywords: Child Sex Tourism (Cambodia)Child Sexual AbuseSexual Exploitation, Children |
Author: O'Brien, Wendy Title: Problem Sexual Behaviour in Children: A Review of the Literature Summary: This literature review presents an analysis of publicly available information on the problem of sexual behavior among Australian children, and outlines social and economic conditions that are likely to increase the prevalence of this problem. Problem sexual behavior refers to aggressive or coercive sexual activity between children and occurs amongst children from varied economic and social backgrounds. Details: Canberra: Australian Crime Commission, 2010. 56p. Source: Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: Shelf Number: 117723 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Australia)Cruelty to ChildrenSocioeconomic Status |
Author: Kaye, Mike Title: Contemporary Forms of Slavery in Argentina Summary: This report provides information and anlaysis in relation to slavery practices in Argentina, with a particular focus on trafficking of people for both labor and sexual exploitaton and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Details: London: Anti-Slavery International, 2006. 17p. Source: Year: 2006 Country: Argentina URL: Shelf Number: 118400 Keywords: Child LaborChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking (Argentina) |
Author: Renault, Raphael Title: Survey on Street-Based Child Sexual Exploitation in Cambodia: Overview of 7 Provinces Summary: Child sexual exploitation has been increasing in Cambodia since the 1990's, with sexual predators coming from abroad as short-term tourists or as long-term residents. Usually, travelling sex offenders visiting Cambodia operate in two different ways, either by visiting brothels or by preying on children in the streets, the markets, the beaches or other public areas. On-going observations in Phnom Penh led to the conclusion that pedophile-related behaviors were changing in the capital. It was suspected that travelling sex offenders were moving into more remote areas as a result of the strengthening of law enforcement activities with respect to child abuse in Phnom Penh. The objectives of this study are: 1) To provide an overview of street-based child sexual exploitation perpetrated outside phnom Penh; 2) To gain an understanding of the underlying factors that make street-based child sexual exploitation possible in countryside Cambodia; and 3) To obtain information on the profile of victims and sex-offenders. Details: Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Action pour les Enfants, 2006. 43p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2006 Country: Cambodia URL: Shelf Number: 118727 Keywords: (Cambodia)Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbusePedophilesSex OffendersSex Tourism (Cambodia) |
Author: Beaulieu, Catherine Title: Strengthening Laws Addressing Child Sexual Exploitation: A Practical Guide Summary: This guide was developed for international and non-governmental organizations, government institutions, professionals and all those working to end the sexual exploitation of children. Its purpose is three-fold: 1) to serve as a practical tool in the assessment of national child protection frameworks; 2) to inform the process of harmonizing and strengthening legislation; and 30 to support advocacy for legal reform to better protect children. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2008. 145p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 118828 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Paillard, Helene Title: Study on Cambodia's Criminal Justice System with Focusing on Prosecuting Foreign Child Sex Offenders Summary: This survey deals with the Cambodian criminal justice system, with focus on prosecuting child sex offenders. The analysis includes: 1) the Cambodian laws that are used in the prosecution of child sex offenders; 2) the implementation of those laws in practice; 3) the limits of, and burdens on, the criminal justice system; and 4) the connections between Cambodia and other countries regarding the prosecution of child sex offenders. Details: Phnom Penh: Action pour les Enfants, 2006. 53 p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2006 Country: Cambodia URL: Shelf Number: 119166 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild TraffickingProsecution, Sex OffendersSex Offenders (Cambodia)Sex Tourism |
Author: Great Britain. Taskforce on the Health Aspects of Violence Against Women and Children Title: Responding to Violence Against Women and Children - The Role of NHS Summary: The violence and abuse experienced by women and children every day in the U.K. is an urgent problem that must be addressed by all, and by our institutions - including the National Health Service. This report describes the key issues identified by women and children themselves, and by National Health Service staff as well as by experts from a wide range of interested bodies, and sets out a number of recommendations to address these issues. To support the work of the taskforce steering group, four sub-groups were set up covering: domestic violence; sexual violence against women; child sexual abuse; and harmful ttraditional practices such a forced marriage, female genital mutilation, honour-based violence and human trafficking. The reports from these sub-groups are included. Details: London: The Taskforce, 2010. 64p.; supplements Source: Internet Resource Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: Shelf Number: 119183 Keywords: Child AbuseChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseDomestic ViolenceFamily ViolenceHealth ServicesVictims of Crimes, Services ForViolence Against Women (U.K.) |
Author: Csaky, Corinna Title: No One to Turn To: The Under-Reporting of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by Aid Workers and Peacekeepers Summary: This report focuses on ways to improve the international community's response to the sexual exploitation nd abuse of children by aid workers, peacekeepers and others acting on their behalf in emergencies. The report draws particular attention to the problem of the under-reporting of such abuse and addresses a range of related issues. Details: London: Save the Children, 2008. 28p. Source: Internet Resource Year: 2008 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 114313 Keywords: Child AbuseChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Honomichi, Ryan Title: An Evaluation of the Child Abuser Vertical Prosecution Program Summary: This report is an evaluation of the Child Abuser Vertical Prosecution (CAVP) Program that is funded by the State of California. The goals of the program are to enhance prosecution efforts in felony child sexual abuse cases and to reduce the emotional trauma and secondary victimization related to the legal process for young victims and their families. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine if there was an impact on prosecution practices and outcomes as a result of CAVP Program funding and to determine whether the program accomplished its goals in a cost effective manner. Details: Sacramento: California Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning, Program Evaluation Division, 2002. 69p. Source: Year: 2002 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119364 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstProsecution (California )Sex Offenders |
Author: Adams, William Title: Effects of Federal Legislation on the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: Each year, as many as 300,000 children become victims of commercial sexual exploitation in the United States. Such victimization can have devastating effects on a child's physical and mental health and well-being. In an effort to stop the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), Congress enacted the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act (TVPA) in 2000. As the seminal legislation in America's efforts to end CSEC, the Act criminalizes human trafficking on a federal level. This bulletin describes the results of a study funded by OJJDP to examine TVPA's impact on the prosecution of CSEC cases. The authors draw on CSEC cases processed in federal courts between 1998 and 2005 to examine how current laws addressing CSEC are enforced, indicate key features of successful CSEC prosecutions, and describe how legislation has affected sentences imposed on CSEC perpetrators, as well as legislation's effects on the provision of services to victims. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2010. 11p. Source: Internet Resource; Juvenile Justice Bulletin, July 2010 Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: Shelf Number: 119477 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstSexual Exploitation |
Author: U.S. Department of Justice Title: The National Strategy for Child Prevention and Interdiction: A Report to Congress Summary: "The sexual abuse and exploitation of children rob the victims of their childhood, irrevocably interfering with their emotional and psychological development. Ensuring that all children come of age without being disturbed by sexual trauma or exploitation is more than a criminal justice issue, it is a societal issue. Despite efforts to date, the threat of child sexual exploitation remains very real, whether it takes place in the home, on the street, over the Internet, or in a foreign land. Because the sexual abuse and exploitation of children strikes at the very foundation of our society, it will take our entire society to combat this affront to the public welfare. Therefore, this National Strategy lays out a comprehensive response to protect the right of children to be free from sexual abuse and to protect society from the cost imposed by this crime. In the broadest terms, the goal of this National Strategy is to prevent child sexual exploitation from occurring in the first place, in order to protect every child’s opportunity and right to have a childhood that is free from sexual abuse, trauma, and exploitation so that they can become the adults they were meant to be. This Strategy will accomplish that goal by efficiently leveraging assets across the federal government in a coordinated manner. All entities with a stake in the fight against child exploitation—from federal agencies and investigators and prosecutors, to social service providers, educators, medical professionals, academics, non-governmental organizations, and members of industry, as well as parents, caregivers, and the threatened children themselves—are called upon to do their part to prevent these crimes, care for the victims, and rehabilitate the offenders." Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2010. 280p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 10, 2010 at http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.projectsafechildhood.gov/docs/natstrategyreport.pdf Shelf Number: 119589 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesInternet Safety |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview on Child Sexual Abuse Images through the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine Summary: "In the framework of consolidating knowledge on commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in the CIS region, and in order to guide ECPAT’s strategies and priority actions for the protection of children, ECPAT International collaborated with its affiliate members in Belarus, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine to document evidence on the sexual exploitation of children through the use of ICTs in the region, especially the production and distribution of child sexual abuse images. This regional report, based on literature reviews and detailed case analyses, explores the risks for children to be increasingly sexually exploited in relation to the development of ICTs in the region." Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2008. 100p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 13, 2010 at http://lastradainternational.org/lsidocs/Regional_Overview.pdf Year: 2008 Country: Europe URL: http://lastradainternational.org/lsidocs/Regional_Overview.pdf Shelf Number: 119590 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet PornographyOrganized Crime |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Creating a United Front Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism Summary: "While much progress has been made in combating the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (also known as child-sex tourism or CST) and other forms of sexual exploitation of children, there is a need to identify and develop measures to address new trends and further improve concerted, multi-stakeholder action to effectively combat this exploitation. It must also be noted that while CST involves child prostitution, it is not limited to it. Technological progress and the rapid spread of digital cameras and camcorders now often make the production of child pornography (or child abuse imagery) an ancillary activity of the former. Trafficking in children for sexual exploitation, in turn, is known to play a significant role in the supply of victims to a market demand that has not shown any sign of abatement over the past few years. The reports in this journal look at general trends in the development of child-sex tourism and identify the gaps in child protection against commercial sexual exploitation. They discuss key initiatives to address the issues and recommend specific actions by governments that are urgently needed to tackle the problem. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT Interntaional, 2009. 66p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 13, 2010 at http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/Journals/ECPATJournalJune2009.pdf Shelf Number: 119592 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Child Abuse Images and Sexual Exploitation of Children Online Summary: "In this publication, global experts working in various related fields - law enforcement, research, rehabilitation of victims, advocacy, technology, etc. - share their knowledge and highlight the issues that need to be urgently addressed to more effectively counter child abuse imagery and the sexual exploitation of children online. The papers presented here stemmed from The Preparatory Expert Meeting on Child Abuse Images and Sexual Exploitation of Children Online, which was held in Bangkok, Thailand on 14-15 August 2008." Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2009. 82p. Source: Internet Resource; Accessed August 13, 2010 at http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/ICT/ICT.pdf Year: 2009 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Publications/ICT/ICT.pdf Shelf Number: 119593 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet Pornography |
Author: Keesbury, Jill Title: Comprehensive Responses to Gender Based Violence in Low-Resource Settings: Lessons Learned from Implementation Summary: From 2006-2009, the Population Council undertook a program of technical assistance and research to strengthen the evidence base on gender-based violence (SGBV) programming in sub-Saharan Africa. This project created an active network of implementers and researchers across sub-Saharan Africa, all of whom were charged with developing, implementing and evaluating core elements of a comprehensive, multisectoral model for strengthening responses for survivors of SGBV, especially survivors of sexual violence. The comprehensive model includes health, criminal justice, and psychosocial services required by survivors, and works to strengthen the linkages between these sectors. Seven organizations in six countries (Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia and Senegal) partnered with the Population Council to implement the comprehensive model in part or in whole, and an additional thirteen organizations actively participated in the South-South technical assistance network. Based on the experiences of these partners, this document reviews the findings, lessons learned, and promising practices in the provision of comprehensive SGBV services in sub- Saharan Africa. It draws on the data generated by the network partners to identify core issues in the provision of quality, comprehensive care for survivors of SGBV. These findings are intended to serve as a resource for programmers and policymakers throughout the region, and contribute to the emerging evidence-base on such program strategies. Details: Lusaka, Zambia: Population Council, 2010. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 28, 2010 at: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2010RH_CompRespGBV.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2010RH_CompRespGBV.pdf Shelf Number: 119690 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseGender-Based ViolenceSexual ViolenceViolence Against WomenViolent Crime |
Author: Finkelhor, David Title: Children's Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey Summary: This Bulletin describes the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV), a nationwide survey of the incidence and prevalence of children's exposure to violence. NatSCEV estimated both past-year and lifetime exposure to violence across a number of categories, including physical assault, bullying, sexual victimization, child maltreatment, dating violence, and witnessed and indirect victimization. The NatSCEV study showed high levels of exposure to violence among a nationally representative sample of youth. More than three in five reported being direct or indirect victims of violence in the past year, and of those, nearly two-thirds were victimized more than once. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2009. 11p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2010 at: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227744.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United States URL: http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/227744.pdf Shelf Number: 119807 Keywords: Abused ChildrenBullyingChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstDomestic ViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Raphael, Jody Title: From Victims to Victimizers: Interviews with 25 Ex-Pimps in Chicago Summary: A new study of ex-pimps and madams in the Chicago area shows that most of them were victims of prostitution prior to becoming pimps and had family members involved in the illegal sex trade. Of the 25 pimps and madams interviewed, 68 percent had themselves been prostituted prior to pimping. Their average age of entry into prostitution was 15, and 60 percent had family members who were involved in prostitution. Details: Chicago: De Paul College of Law, Schiller DuCanto & Fleck Family Law Center, 2010. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 13, 2010 at: http://newsroom.depaul.edu/PDF/FAMILY_LAW_CENTER_REPORT-final.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://newsroom.depaul.edu/PDF/FAMILY_LAW_CENTER_REPORT-final.pdf Shelf Number: 119952 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseProstitution |
Author: Chan, Vanessa Title: Evaluation of the Sex Offender Community Disclosure Pilot Summary: In June 2007, the Home Office published its Review of the Protection of Children from Sex Offenders. One of the conclusions was that more information should be shared with the public about specific Registered Sex Offenders (RSOs) who may pose a threat to particular children. A disclosure scheme was piloted in four English police force areas in 2008/9. In parallel to these developments, the Scottish Government decided to pilot a similar disclosure scheme in the Tayside Police force area between September 2009 and May 2010. The pilot involved a dedicated Disclosure Team being set up to deal with enquiries from parents about specific individuals perceived to pose a threat to their children. For each enquiry, the Disclosure Team conducted a comprehensive risk assessment using the information provided by the applicants and existing information on Police, Social Work and NHS systems. Depending on the outcome of the risk assessment, the team had the option to disclose information and/or trigger existing mechanisms to deal with child protection and the management of sex offenders. This report presents the findings of an independent evaluation of the pilot conducted on behalf of the Scottish Government by Ipsos MORI Scotland in collaboration with Beth Weaver of the University of Strathclyde. The overall aim of the evaluation was to explore the extent to which the pilot enhanced child protection beyond what would happen anyway under existing child protection measures and Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. The evaluation also focused on how the scheme might be refined and improved before being implemented more widely. The evaluation was conducted primarily through in-depth interviews with a range of stakeholder groups (including applicants, professionals involved in administering the pilot, practitioners, RSOs and national stakeholders). The evaluation also comprised analysis of data on the type of enquiries handled by the pilot, financial resources related to the pilot and the movement of RSOs in Tayside. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2010. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 25, 2010 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/328113/0106001.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/328113/0106001.pdf Shelf Number: 120079 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenders |
Author: American Bar Association. Latin America & Caribbean Law Initiative Title: Trafficking in Persons in Ecuador: Assessment One, September to December 2004 Summary: In June 2004 the American Bar Association’s Latin America Law Initiative (ABA/LALIC) held a conference on Trafficking in Persons in Cuenca, Ecuador, with support from the U.S. Embassy and co-sponsorship from the Supreme Court of Ecuador and the National Council of the Judiciary. The results collected from the discussions in the break out groups and the plenary sessions all demonstrated the need, as expressed by the conference attendees, for a practical assessment of the situation in country. The Ecuadorians suggested that the assessment focus on: 1) How the problem is defined and perceived; 2) the realities and challenges facing Ecuador; 3) planning guidelines and priorities, and 4) strategies for a workable plan. This project set out to conduct an assessment that will serve as a guide for the development and planning of the project. The major goals of this assessment are to: 1) identify organizations around the country working on trafficking and trafficking related issues; 2) identify the major trends/themes in the trafficking and anti-trafficking activities; 3) identify gaps in service, public policy and see how they relate to the existing legislative framework, and finally to 4) develop recommendations for the project. With this in mind, the report is divided into three main components: Part I of the assessment looks at the economic and social underpinnings of the country to give context to the reasons why trafficking in persons is gaining strength in Ecuador. Part II of the assessment discusses important themes that surround the actual trafficking in persons. These themes include the nature of the problem; where trafficking is most prevalent and why; defining who is a victim; pinpointing some of the underlying causes; and exploring the legislative gaps that hamstring effective prosecution. Part III of the assessment takes the information gathered and presented in this document and sets out the recommendations according to the three “p’s” (Prevention, Prosecution and Protection). Details: Chicago: Latin America & Caribbean Law Initiative, 2005(?). 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2010 at: http://www.abanet.org/rol/publications/ecuador_tips_assessment_final.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Ecuador URL: http://www.abanet.org/rol/publications/ecuador_tips_assessment_final.pdf Shelf Number: 120271 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking (Ecuador)Sexual AbuseSexual Exploitation |
Author: Frederick, John Title: Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Boys in South Asia: A Review of Research Findings, Legislation, Policy and Programme Responses Summary: This paper provides an overview of research findings, legislation, policy and programme responses to prevent and respond to the sexual abuse and exploitation of boys in South Asia. The background to the paper is based on the findings from previously conducted UNICEF IRC research on child trafficking in the region, in which it was indicated that boys enjoy less legal protection than girls from sexual abuse and exploitation and less access to service for victims. While it is seen that the majority of legislation and policies that address ‘children’ adequately address ‘boys’, this paper notes areas in which the rights and needs of boys require greater focus. Among the concerns is the absence of legal commentary on legislation regarding boys’ issues and an absence of advocacy efforts to take action and amend laws to provide equal protection to boys. In some cases legislation covers only girls and women. And, although research shows that boys face nearly the same degree of sexual abuse and exploitation as girls, programming throughout the region is overwhelmingly directed at girls and women. Evidence-based information is lacking on the sexual abuse of both boys and girls and on the sexual exploitation of boys. The majority of studies to date have emphasized trafficking for sexual exploitation and have been focused on women and girls. Research on trafficking has concentrated on recruitment, transportation and sale of victims; little research has been conducted on the subsequent situations of exploitation into which children are trafficked. Some countries in South Asia are beginning to fill the knowledge gap regarding both child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of boys. The information that is presented was mainly gathered in 2008, but it remains limited by the sources available, some of which date back several years previously. The findings are however considered to be relatively robust and consistent. The report presents concrete recommendations for strengthening legislation, policy and programmes to address this issue from a child rights based approach. It highlights that listening to boys and girls and learning from their experiences and recommendations are key to designing and implementing effective preventive and protective mechanisms. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Center, 2010. 165p. Source: Internet Resource: Innocenti Working Paper No. 2010-02: Accessed February 9, 2011 at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2010_02.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/pdf/iwp_2010_02.pdf Shelf Number: 120726 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale VictimsSex Tourism |
Author: Davidson, Julia Title: Current Practice and Research into Internet Sex Offending Summary: This report seeks to explore the current and recent practice of Scottish, English, Welsh and international governments, organisations and agencies in assessing risk and managing and treating internet sex offenders. The research aims were addressed via a literature review, documentary analysis of key legislation, policy and practice documents and semi-structured interviews with a small number of key respondents with expertise in the area and representatives from criminal justice agencies (N=15). Details: Paisley, Scotland: Risk Management Authority, 2007. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2011 at: http://www.rmascotland.gov.uk/try/research-papers/ Year: 2007 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rmascotland.gov.uk/try/research-papers/ Shelf Number: 120822 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInternet CrimesInternet SafetyOnline VictimizationSex Offenders |
Author: Loughlin, Jennifer Title: Child Luring Through the Internet Summary: The Internet is a virtual world filled with an abundance of information and endless sources of entertainment. While an extraordinary tool, the Internet comes with risks. For children these risks include the dangers of sexual exploitation, such as luring through the Internet. In 2002, the Canadian Criminal Code was amended to include new offences that would help combat the luring of individuals under the age of 18, by making it "illegal to communicate with children over the Internet for the purpose of committing a sexual offence". Accordingly, police services across Canada began collecting and reporting child luring incidents that come to their attention under this new legislative amendment. Presently, there is little data available on child luring. The information that does exist represents only those incidents that have been reported to the police. Therefore, it is difficult to quantify the full extent and nature of child luring offences in Canada. Nonetheless, using the first available police-reported data on child luring, this article presents a snapshot of the characteristics of this relatively new criminal offence and the people accused of committing it, as well as an examination of court cases and decisions for child luring offences. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2009. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat, vol. 19, no. 1: Accessed April 1, 2011 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2009001/article/10783-eng.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2009001/article/10783-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 121217 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseComputer CrimesCrime StatisticsInternet CrimesSex Crimes (Canada)Sex Offenders |
Author: Mizzi, Pierrette Title: Sentencing Offenders Convicted of Child Pornography and Child Abuse Material Offences Summary: One of the more difficult sentencing tasks is to sentence an offender convicted of a child pornography offence. This applies whether the offence is a Commonwealth or State offence, or the offender is dealt with summarily or on indictment. This monograph examines the practical difficulties faced by NSW judicial officers at sentence relating to the fact-finding process and the problems that can be encountered in assessing the seriousness of a given offence. Most child pornography offenders are prosecuted in the Local Court and a large proportion of these offenders are prosecuted for offences involving the possession of child pornography. Details: Sydney: Judicial Comnmission of New South Wales, 2010. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Monograph NO. 34: Accessed April 4, 2011 at: http://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/research-monographs-1/research-monograph-34/Monograph34.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Australia URL: http://www.judcom.nsw.gov.au/publications/research-monographs-1/research-monograph-34/Monograph34.pdf Shelf Number: 121234 Keywords: Child Pornography (Australia)Child Sexual AbuseSentencingSex Offenders |
Author: Pearce, Hannah Title: Off the Radar: Protecting Children from British Sex Offenders Who Travel Summary: ECPAT UK has been working to end the sexual exploitation of children overseas by British nationals for almost 20 years and we have documented over 120 cases of Britons accused of such crimes during this period. In 2010, ECPAT UK was made aware of over a dozen cases committed in countries including India, Cambodia and Romania. This report provides details of five of these cases which are used to illustrate success stories and the existing gaps and challenges. We are deeply concerned that despite improvements to legislation and some notable efforts on the part of individual police forces, British nationals continue to travel abroad to abuse children. Despite their ongoing risk to children and the fact that many of these individuals are known to authorities both in the UK and in the country in which the abuse took place, these individuals often fall off the radar. In particular, we are concerned about the vulnerability of children in international schools and orphanages because of the lack of information sharing between jurisdictions, and the fact that international organisations are unable to access the criminal records checking procedures that would be expected as standard procedure by UK institutions. There is evidence to suggest that serious sex offenders who are known to authorities in the UK seek out teaching or volunteer jobs abroad where they feel they can abuse freely without detection. Conversely, perpetrators who have been convicted abroad for child sex offences can easily slip back into the UK undetected. This creates an unacceptable risk to British children because there is no legal mandate that compels perpetrators to disclose these offences immediately upon their return to the UK and seemingly little management of international data when it comes to light. Details: London: ECPAT UK, 2011. 25p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 7, 2011 at: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/off_the_radar_-_protecting_children_from_british_sex_offenders_who_travel.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Europe URL: http://www.ecpat.org.uk/sites/default/files/off_the_radar_-_protecting_children_from_british_sex_offenders_who_travel.pdf Shelf Number: 121261 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex Offenders (U.K.) |
Author: Allardyce, Stuart Title: The Risks of Young People Abusing Sexually at Home, In the Community or Both: A Comparative Study of 34 Boys in Edinburgh with Harmful Sexual Behaviour Summary: This study sought to establish whether it is meaningful to think about sibling incest as a discrete type of adolescent sexual abuse and whether a boy who has abused his younger sibling might then also be considered a risk to the wider community and vice versa. The study, therefore, was undertaken to begin to find ways towards answering some of these questions around risk assessment, seeking to determine whether or not it is in fact meaningful to think about sibling incest as a discrete type of adolescent sexual abuse and in particular to answer the following questions: When a child has abused a younger sibling, what factors may be associated with an increase or decrease in the likelihood that he will go on to abuse more widely in the community? When a child has abused in the community, what factors may be associated with an increase or decrease in the likelihood that he may pose a risk to his younger sibling? Details: Edinburgh: Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland, 2009. 17p. Source: Internet Resource: Towards Effective Practice, Paper No. 8: Accessed April 28, 2011 at: http://lx.iriss.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/The%20risks%20of%20young%20people.pdf Year: 2009 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://lx.iriss.org.uk/sites/default/files/resources/The%20risks%20of%20young%20people.pdf Shelf Number: 121568 Keywords: Acolescent Sex OffendersChild Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse (Scotland)Sibling AbuseSibling Incest |
Author: Contreras, Juan Manuel Title: Sexual Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Desk Review Summary: The World Health Organization defines sexual violence as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work”. A limited but growing body of evidence suggests that sexual violence is a serious problem throughout Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) – both as a public health problem and a violation of human rights. This document reviews what is known about sexual violence in the LAC region. It aims to explore the magnitude, patterns and risk factors associated with sexual violence, as well as the legal and policy frameworks, women’s responses to sexual violence, access to services and service responses, promising interventions, research gaps and priorities for future research. Over two hundred published and unpublished documents were reviewed to prepare this document. Grey literature was identified through internet-based searches and from experts working in the region. The scope of this review is primarily based on research produced between 2000 and the present. While an effort has been made to cover the entire Latin American and Caribbean region, research is not available for all countries in the region. As such, this document should be considered the first phase in an ongoing process of consolidating the existing evidence and identifying research gaps and priorities for this culturally, racially and geographically diverse region. Details: Pretoria, South Africa: Sexual Violence Research Initiative, Gender and Health Research Unit. Medical Research Council, 2010.92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 16, 2011 at: http://www.svri.org/SexualViolenceLACaribbean.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Central America URL: http://www.svri.org/SexualViolenceLACaribbean.pdf Shelf Number: 121723 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseDomestic ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeSexual AssaultSexual Violence (Latin America and Caribbean) |
Author: Terry, Karen J. Title: The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010 Summary: This report outlines the results of an empirically based study of the causes and context of the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests in the United States between 1950 and 2010. The study sought to understand why the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests occurred as it did by integrating research from sociocultural, psychological, situational, and organizational perspectives. Details: Washington, DC: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2011. 152p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 19, 2011 at: http://www.usccb.org/mr/causes-and-context-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-in-the-united-states-1950-2010.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.usccb.org/mr/causes-and-context-of-sexual-abuse-of-minors-by-catholic-priests-in-the-united-states-1950-2010.pdf Shelf Number: 121758 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseClergyReligionSexual Abuse |
Author: Caponera, Betty Title: Sex Crime Trends in New Mexica: An Analysis of Data from The New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository 2005-2009 Summary: This report includes an analysis of 2009 sex crimes data from the New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository, which includes findings from law enforcement, service providers and statewide Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) units. It also includes findings of a four-year trend analysis on data from law enforcement and service provider agencies, and a first-time five-year trends analysis on data from statewide SANE programs. Details: Albuquerque, NM: New Mexico Interpersonal Violence Data Central Repository, 2010. 248p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 30, 2011 at: http://www.cvrc.state.nm.us/pdf/Sex%20Crimes%202009%20Report%20Aug2010.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.cvrc.state.nm.us/pdf/Sex%20Crimes%202009%20Report%20Aug2010.pdf Shelf Number: 121921 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseInterpersonal ViolenceSex Offenses (New Mexico)Sexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Child Maltreatment: Strengthening National Data on Child Fatalities Could Aid in Prevention Summary: Children's deaths from maltreatment are especially distressing because they involve a failure on the part of adults who were responsible for protecting them. Questions have been raised as to whether the federal National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS), which is based on voluntary state reports to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), fully captures the number or circumstances of child fatalities from maltreatment. GAO was asked to examine (1) the extent to which HHS collects and reports comprehensive information on child fatalities from maltreatment, (2) the challenges states face in collecting and reporting this information to HHS, and (3) the assistance HHS provides to states in collecting and reporting data on child maltreatment fatalities. GAO analyzed 2009 NCANDS data--the latest data available--conducted a nationwide Web-based survey of state child welfare administrators, visited three states, interviewed HHS and other officials, and reviewed research and relevant federal laws and regulations. More children have likely died from maltreatment than are counted in NCANDS, and HHS does not take full advantage of available information on the circumstances surrounding child maltreatment deaths. NCANDS estimated that 1,770 children in the United States died from maltreatment in fiscal year 2009. According to GAO's survey, nearly half of states included data only from child welfare agencies in reporting child maltreatment fatalities to NCANDS, yet not all children who die from maltreatment have had contact with these agencies, possibly leading to incomplete counts. HHS also collects but does not report some information on the circumstances surrounding child maltreatment fatalities that could be useful for prevention, such as perpetrators' previous maltreatment of children. The National Center for Child Death Review (NCCDR), a nongovernmental organization funded by HHS, collects more detailed data on circumstances from 39 states, but these data on child maltreatment deaths have not yet been synthesized or published. States face numerous challenges in collecting child maltreatment fatality data and reporting to NCANDS. At the local level, lack of evidence and inconsistent interpretations of maltreatment challenge investigators--such as law enforcement, medical examiners, and child welfare officials--in determining whether a child's death was caused by maltreatment. Without medical evidence, it can be difficult to determine that a child's death was caused by abuse or neglect, such as in cases of shaken baby syndrome, when external injuries may not be readily visible. At the state level, limited coordination among jurisdictions and state agencies, in part due to confidentiality or privacy constraints, poses challenges for reporting data to NCANDS. HHS provides assistance to help states report child maltreatment fatalities, although states would like additional help. For example, HHS hosts an annual NCANDS technical assistance conference, provides individual state assistance, and, through NCCDR, has developed resources to help states collect information on child deaths. However, there has been limited collaboration between HHS and NCCDR on child maltreatment fatality information or prevention strategies to date. State officials indicated a need for additional information on how to coordinate across state agencies to collect more complete information on child maltreatment fatalities. States are also increasingly interested in collecting and using information on near fatalities from maltreatment. GAO recommends that the Secretary of HHS take steps to further strengthen data quality, expand available information on child fatalities, improve information sharing, and estimate the costs and benefits of collecting national data on near fatalities. In its comments, HHS agreed with GAO's findings and recommendations and provided technical comments, which GAO incorporated as appropriate. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Government Accountability Office, 2011. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-11-599; Accessed July 13, 2011 at: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11599.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d11599.pdf Shelf Number: 122043 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Maltreatment (U.S.)Child Sexual AbuseChild Welfare |
Author: Munro, Emily R. Title: Scoping Review to Draw Together Data on Child Injury and Safeguarding and to Compare the Position of England with That in Other Countries Summary: Statistical data on the proportion of children identified as likely to suffer significant harm, cases of substantiated abuse and neglect and the number placed in public care vary between regions and countries, as do placement types and service responses. Comparing the situation in England with that elsewhere and exploring similarities and differences in the approaches adopted to safeguard children from harm allows current policy and practice to be benchmarked against others. To make meaningful comparisons of data on child death, injury and safeguarding, it is first necessary to ascertain what data are already routinely collected by different countries and how comparable these datasets are. This report presents the findings from a small scale scoping review undertaken between July and December 2010 to explore some of these issues. The overarching aim of the study is to scope the existing international data on safeguarding children from physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to intimate partner violence and from child death and injury. The objective is to consider how different institutional and cultural approaches to safeguarding children and different forms of provision and support may influence trends in the incidence and nature of abuse and neglect and similarities and differences in the responses of public authorities. The study focuses on ascertaining the availability of data on preventable child death and injury and safeguarding; and identification of a core set of variables to facilitate exploration of the comparability of these data. Details: London: Department for Education, 2011. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report DFE-RR083: Accessed July 27, 2011 at: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/RSG/AllPublications/Page1/DFE-RR083 Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/RSG/AllPublications/Page1/DFE-RR083 Shelf Number: 122181 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (U.K.)Child MaltreatmentChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Lanning, Kenneth V. Title: Child Molesters: A Behavioral Analysis For Professionals Investigating the Sexual Exploitation of Children. 5th ed. Summary: The sexual victimization of children involves varied and diverse dynamics. It can range from one-on-one intrafamilial abuse to multioffender/multivictim extrafamilial sex rings and from nonfamily abduction of toddlers to prostitution of teenagers. Sexual victimization of children can run the gamut of “normal” sexual acts from fondling to intercourse. The victimization can also include deviant sexual behavior involving more unusual conduct (e.g., urination, defecation, playing dead) that often goes unrecognized, including by statutes, as possibly being sexual in nature. There are, therefore, no step-by-step, rigid investigative standards that are applicable to every case or circumstance. Investigative approaches and procedures have to be adjusted based on the dynamics of the case. Larger law-enforcement agencies tend to have more specialized investigative units that investigate the different types of cases. One unit might investigate intrafamilial, child-abuse cases; another might investigate missing-, abducted-, or murdered-children cases; and another might investigate extrafamilial, sexual-exploitation cases. Offenders, however, sometimes cross these investigative categories. For example a father might produce and distribute child pornography images of his own child or might molest other children in addition to his own. Investigators have to be trained and prepared to address these diverse realities. This discussion will focus primarily on the behavioral aspects of the sexual exploitation of children perpetrated by adult offenders who have an acquaintance relationship (i.e., not strangers or family members) with their child victims. Some of the information, however, could have application to acquaintance juvenile offenders and other types of child-molestation cases. Although some legal and technical aspects involved in these cases will be discussed, those are not my areas of expertise. The law and emerging technology can change rapidly and significantly in a short time. Experts in those areas should be consulted before applying this information, but underlying human behavior tends to remain the same. The concept of the acquaintance molester and other related terms will be defined and insight will be provided into the behavioral patterns of offenders and victims in such cases. For purposes of this publication, investigation is defined as any objective, fact-finding process. This certainly includes the work of law enforcement and prosecutors, but may also sometimes include the work of other professionals such as social workers, forensic mental-health or medical personnel, and youth-serving organizations. One major goal of this publication is to increase objectivity and professionalism in these investigations. This is the fifth edition of this publication. Details: Alexandria, VA: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, 2010. 212p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed July 28, 2011 at: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC70.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/publications/NC70.pdf Shelf Number: 122223 Keywords: Child MolestationChild PornographyChild Sexual AbuseCriminal InvestigationMissing ChildrenMissing Persons (U.S.)Sex OffendersSex Offenses |
Author: Wainer, Lisa Title: Understanding the Extent and Nature of Serious Sexual Violence in the London Borough of Hackney Summary: Recent increases in the levels of serious sexual violence (SSV) in the London Borough of Hackney prompted its Community Safety Partnership (CSP) to commission – with financial assistance from the Home Office – a research project to look at this crime problem in more detail. More specifically, we were tasked to find out more about the real extent and nature of these offences in the Borough, through the analysis of various data sources. The main concern was that, due to high levels of under-reporting, any information that could be gathered from police recorded data alone would be limited. This is why we combined the analysis of these data with information provided by various partner agencies, who not only gave us an insight into the type of scenarios they were dealing with (and how often these occurred – sometimes supplemented with their own recorded data) but also offered their views as to what the barriers to reporting may be. This document, the final report, summarises the findings from these analyses. First, a brief overview of the literature is provided, which aims to set the research in context and give an indication of what is already known about this crime problem and why it is often under-reported. We then describe the data sources employed in the research, within the Methodology section. After this, the findings from the analyses of, first, the police recorded crime data and, second, the interviews are presented. The last section of the report offers a set of summary and conclusions, which incorporate recommendations for policy and practice. Details: London: UCL Department of Security and Crime Science Jill Dando Institute, 2011. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2011 at: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/scs/publications/downloads/hackney-march2011.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/scs/publications/downloads/hackney-march2011.pdf Shelf Number: 122745 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseProstitutesProstitutionSexual AssaultsSexual Violence (London)Violence Against Women |
Author: United Nations Children’s Fund Title: Violence Against Children in Tanzania: Findings from a National Survey 2009 Summary: Violence against children is a serious human rights, social and public health issue in many parts of the world and its consequences can be devastating. No country is immune, whether rich or poor. Violence erodes the strong foundation that children need for leading healthy and productive lives, and violates the fundamental right of children to a safe childhood. Violence against children is never justifiable. Nor is it inevitable. If its underlying causes are identified and addressed, violence against children is entirely preventable. The United Nations Secretary-General’s (UNSG) World Report on Violence against Children (2006) was the first and most comprehensive global study on all forms of violence against children. The aim of the study was to research, report, and make recommendations on violence in the multiple settings where children live and survive — including the home and family, in schools, care and justice systems, the workplace and the community. Overarching recommendations from this global study included the need to ‘develop and implement systematic national data collection and research’ urging States to improve data collection and information systems in order to identify the most vulnerable children, inform policy and programming at all levels and track progress towards the goal of preventing violence against children. Tanzania is the first country in Africa to undertake A National Study on Violence against Children – for the first time measuring all forms of violence (sexual, physical and emotional) amongst girls and boys and giving national estimates of the prevalence of violence. The results of this study which you are about to read indicate that sexual, physical and emotional violence are common for children growing up in Tanzania, and the perpetrators of this violence are often near and known to the children. This report provides, for the first time, national estimates which describe the magnitude and nature of violence experienced by both girls and boys in Tanzania. It highlights the particular vulnerability of girls to sexual violence and the negative health consequences of these experiences in their childhoods and beyond. Violence against children is a major threat to national development and our work to achieve the vision laid out in MKUKUTA and to reach the Millennium Development Goals. We will not achieve quality primary and secondary education unless children are safe in school. The spread of HIV/AIDS will not be halted until we stop sexual violence that helps to fuel the pandemic. We will not reduce the incidence and costs of mental and physical health problems if we do not address all forms of violence against children. We will not challenge the social and cultural legitimacy of violence in Tanzania without understanding its circumstances. The obligation for all States to work toward the elimination of all forms of violence against children is recognized by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratifi ed by Tanzania in 1990. Efforts to prevent violence form part of the government’s national commitment to uphold the right of each child to his or her human dignity and physical integrity. This commitment is refl ected in the Tanzanian Law of the Child Act (2009) - the national legal and regulatory framework to protect children. The results of this study will help the Government of Tanzania, through the Multi-Sector Task Force that has coordinated the Study, to enhance efforts to break the silence around violence against children and establish a stronger foundation for both prevention and response, nested within a nationally supported Child Protection System in line with the Law of the Child Act (2009). What is critical now is to move the Study from research to action. Responses are required across all sectors – including health, social welfare, education, justice – and at all levels - national, regional, district and lower levels. Civil society groups and individual citizens all have important roles to play. Details: Dar es Salaam: UNICEF Tanzania, 2011. 152p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 16, 2011 at: http://www.unicef.org/media/files/VIOLENCE_AGAINST_CHILDREN_IN_TANZANIA_REPORT.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Tanzania URL: http://www.unicef.org/media/files/VIOLENCE_AGAINST_CHILDREN_IN_TANZANIA_REPORT.pdf Shelf Number: 122754 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (Tanzania)Child MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstViolence Against Children |
Author: Generation Five Title: Toward Transformative Justice: A Liberatory Approach to Child Sexual Abuse and other forms of Intimate and Community Violence. A Call to Action for the Left and the Sexual and Domestic Violence Sectors Summary: This paper offers a substantive discussion on the liberatory politic of Transformative Justice. Transformative Justice, as defined in this paper, is premised on the idea that individual justice and collective liberation are equally important, mutually supportive, and fundamentally intertwined — the achievement of one is impossible without the achievement of the other. We believe that Transformative Justice presents us with a politic and model to heal the trauma of past violence, reduce the level of violence we experience, and mobilize masses of people. Transformative Justice is a response to the State’s inability to provide justice on either individual or collective levels. Therefore, in this paper, we propose a model that responds to experiences of violence without relying on current State systems. We believe this to be a liberating politic that creates opportunities for healing and transformation rather than retribution and punishment. Transformative Justice moves us toward equity and liberation rather than maintaining the inequality that the current State and systems maintain. The development of the Transformative Justice model is rooted in Generation FIVE’s substantive work on the personal and the political realities of child sexual abuse. One of the most intimate, stigmatized, and demonized forms of violence, child sexual abuse continues to be pervasive and persistent across nations, ‘race’, class, religions, and cultures. For a variety of reasons, including the State’s inability to create solutions that families and communities will use, people rarely report child sexual abuse. When they do report, they do not get the justice, safety, or change they seek. In addition to the State’s inability to address the needs of those who have been sexually abused, future violence is not prevented due to the lack of opportunities for transformation of individuals, relationships, families, or communities. As a result of this and the lack of viable alternatives, rates of child sexual abuse remain epidemic. This paper focuses on ways to secure both individual and social justice in cases of child sexual abuse. We assert that Transformative Justice is a way not only to address incidents of abuse but also to prevent further abuse by working on the social conditions that perpetuate and are perpetuated by child sexual abuse. Transformative Justice is also about building the capacity of individuals and collectives to address larger conditions of inequality and injustice as well as to challenge State violence. Section One explains Transformative Justice and argues the need for liberatory approaches to violence, in particular child sexual abuse. This section speaks to the urgency of addressing child sexual abuse as part of our liberation struggles, both as a specific form of violence that reflects and perpetuates multiple forms of oppression and as one that is exploited by the Right. A liberatory approach to child sexual abuse uniquely positions us to resist this exploitation. Section Two describes in detail the core principles of a Transformative Justice model. These include: liberation, shifting power, safety, accountability, collective action, honoring diversity and sustainability. Section Three proposes a set of practices to address child sexual abuse in a transformative way. Practices of Transformative Justice include: building a Collective, preparation and capacity building, naming and defining child sexual abuse, conducting assessment, developing a safety strategy, supporting healing and resilience, holding accountability, working for community transformation as well as strengthening collective resistance. The Conclusion offers next steps toward integrating Transformative Justice into intimate, activist and community networks, as well as mass-base and community organizations and the sexual and domestic violence sectors. Details: San Francisco: Generation Five, 2007. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 20, 2011 at: http://www.generationfive.org/downloads/G5_Toward_Transformative_Justice.pdf Year: 2007 Country: United States URL: http://www.generationfive.org/downloads/G5_Toward_Transformative_Justice.pdf Shelf Number: 122798 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseRestorative JusticeSexual AbuseTransformative JusticeVictims of Sexual Abuse |
Author: Wei, Weixiao Title: Online Child Sexual Abuse Content: The Development of a Comprehensive, Transferable International Internet Notice and Takedown System Summary: This report establishes the value of an international ‘notice and takedown’ system, through the examination of the legislative and regulatory approaches in eight countries. The report found that there is compelling evidence that the ‘notice and takedown’ system already used in some countries is effective in removing child sexual abuse content at source, while still allowing law enforcement authorities to capture evidence for investigations aimed at prosecuting offenders and where possible, the rescue of child victims. The report makes recommendations on how these methods could be implemented internationally. Details: Cambridge, UK: Internet Watch Foundation, 2011. 131p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2011 at: Year: 2011 Country: International URL: Shelf Number: 122886 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseComputer CrimesInternet CrimesInternet SafetyOnline Victimization |
Author: Richards, Kelly Title: Misperceptions About Child Sex Offenders Summary: Sexual offending against children is a highly emotive issue. It is nonetheless important that public policy initiatives to prevent and/or respond to child sexual abuse are based on the available evidence about child sex offenders. This paper addresses five common misperceptions about the perpetrators of sexual offences against children. Specifically, the issues addressed include whether all child sex offenders are ‘paedophiles’, who sexually abuse children, whether most child sex offenders were victims of sexual abuse themselves, rates of recidivism among child sex offenders and the number of children sex offenders typically abuse before they are detected by police. The evidence outlined in this paper highlights that there are few black and white answers to these questions. Perpetrators of sexual crimes against children are not, contrary to widespread opinion, a homogenous group. Rather, there are a number of varied offending profiles that characterise child sex offenders. Gaining an understanding of the nuances of this offender population is critical if children are to be protected from sexual abuse. Details: Sydney: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2011. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice no.429: Accessed September 30, 2011 at: http://aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/421-440/tandi429.aspx Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://aic.gov.au/publications/current%20series/tandi/421-440/tandi429.aspx Shelf Number: 122953 Keywords: Child Sexual AbusePedophiliaSex Offenders |
Author: Holohan, Carole Title: In Plain Sight: Responding to Ferns, Ryan, Murphy and Cloyne Reports Summary: The report looks at the abuse and exploitation of Irish children in State funded institutions. The five key findings established were: 1. No clear lines of responsibility make true accountability impossible. 2. The law must protect and apply to all members of society equally. 3. Recognition of children’s human rights must be strengthened. 4. Public attitudes matter. Individual attitudes matter. 5. The State must operate on behalf of the people, not on behalf of interest groups. In 'Lessons for Today', the report highlights some issues which relate directly to the work of IPRT, including how successive governments have failed to address inhuman and degrading conditions in Irish prisons despite being criticised by the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture, Visiting Committees and the UN Committee against Torture. The research also points out that the UN Committee against Torture has expressed grave concerns over the continued detention of 16 and 17 year old boys at St. Patrick's Institution and calls on the Government to allow the Ombudsman for Children to receive individual complaints from children held in St. Patrick's. Also concerning St. Patrick's Institution, Dr. Holohan expressed that: "There needs to be clearer lines of accountability for decisions taken by the executive government – including decisions not to implement commitments previously made." She then questions how the Government can justify their decision to indefinitely delay the building of a new detention facility for children which will bring an end to the detention of 16 and 17 year olds in prison. Dr. Holohan's research shows that Ireland does not have a formal juvenile penal policy, and there is little preventive or early intervention work done with children who display offending behaviour. As an example, the report cites research which has found that among males aged 21-30 years, early school leavers have an imprisonment rate of 46.6 per 1,000 compared with 1.6 per 1,000 for those who completed their Leaving Certificate. In Plain Sight also highlights a 2007 study of 18-25 year olds experiencing homelessness carried out by the Children's Research Centre at Trinity College, Dublin. This study established that one of the main ways of a young person becoming homeless was leaving a State care system, for example a residential setting for young offenders. The report goes on to state that mental health services in the youth justice system are shown to be lacking. Despite the fact that children in the youth justice system and children in State care are among those at high risk of experiencing mental health issues, reports show that access to child and adolescent mental health services for these children remains inadequate. Details: Dublin: Amnesty International Dublin, 2011. 436p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2011 at: http://www.amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/INPLAINSIGHT%20%28WEB_VERSION%29.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.amnesty.ie/sites/default/files/INPLAINSIGHT%20%28WEB_VERSION%29.pdf Shelf Number: 122971 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild AbuseChild Sexual AbuseHuman RightsJuvenile Detention (Ireland)Juvenile Offenders |
Author: Covell, Katherine Title: Five Years On: A Global Update on Violence Against Children Summary: In 2001, the UN General Assembly, acting on the recommendation of the Committee on the Rights of the Child, requested the UN Secretary-General to undertake an in-depth study on violence against children. The Study provided the first global report on the extent, causes, and effects of violence against children — in the home, the school, institutions, the workplace, and the community. It was also the first United Nations report to be based on widespread collaboration among the OHCHR, UNICEF, the WHO, non-governmental organizations, national human rights institutions, and direct consultation with children themselves. The report found that millions of children across the world were victims of sexual, physical and/or, emotional violence, many on a daily basis. Societal acceptance of violence against children appeared to be the norm and to be a key obstacle to its elimination. The UN Study put forward 12 overarching recommendations for action. It urged states and other stakeholders to strengthen international, national, and local commitments to end violence against children; to prohibit all violence against children in national law; to promote non-violent values and awareness raising; to enhance the capacity of those who work with or for children; to ensure accountability and end impunity; and to take a range of other actions to prevent violence against children and to respond to it effectively if it occurs. The ultimate goal of the recommendations was to establish conditions that would end all forms of violence against all children. The UN Study concluded, “No violence against children is justifiable; all violence against children is preventable.” When the report of the UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children (UN Study) was presented in 2006, it revealed that despite extensive international human rights obligations, children globally experience staggering levels of violence. The magnitude of violence against children documented by the UN Study represented an urgent call to action, and the Study presented clear and concrete recommendations on how states should respond. Five years later, we find that violence, including severe violence, continues against millions of children globally. There has been some progress on some of the Study’s recommendations – but concerted action to prohibit and eliminate violence against children is as urgently needed today as when the report was submitted to the General Assembly (GA) in 2006. Details: NGO Advisory Council, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 18, 2011 at: http://www.crin.org/docs/Five_Years_On.pdf Year: 2011 Country: International URL: http://www.crin.org/docs/Five_Years_On.pdf Shelf Number: 123050 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstViolence Against Children |
Author: Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation Title: Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne Summary: The Dublin Archdiocese Commission of Investigation was established in March 2006 to report on the handling by Church and State authorities of a representative sample of allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse against clerics operating under the aegis of the Archdiocese of Dublin over the period 1975 - 2004. The report of the Commission was published (with some redaction as a result of court orders) in November 2009. Towards the end of its remit, on 31 March 2009, the Government asked the Commission to carry out a similar investigation into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. During the Cloyne investigation the Commission examined all complaints, allegations, concerns and suspicions of child sexual abuse by relevant clerics made to the diocesan and other Catholic Church authorities and public and State authorities in the period 1 January 1996 – 1 February 2009. This report deals with the outcome of the Cloyne investigation. In Chapters 2 – 8, the report outlines how the Commission conducted the investigation; the organisational structures of the Diocese of Cloyne and the relevant State authorities, that is, the Gardaí, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and the health authorities; and the general background to the handling of complaints including an outline of the canon law and procedures involved and the financing of the costs involved. Chapters 9 – 26 describe the cases of 19 clerics about whom there were complaints, allegations or concerns in the period 1 January 1996 – 1 February 2009. Details: Dublin: Stationery Office, 2011. 421p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 18, 2011 at: http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/cloyne/index.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.irishtimes.com/indepth/cloyne/index.pdf Shelf Number: 123054 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Abuse by Clergy |
Author: Thwaites, Greg Title: An Assessment of the Potential Savings from Barnardo’s Interventions for Young People Who Have Been Sexually Exploited Summary: This report presents the findings from research undertaken by Pro Bono Economics on behalf of Barnardo’s into the potential savings from Barnardo’s interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited. The research sought to determine the effectiveness of Barnardo’s interventions in reducing the risk of sexual exploitation and associated risk factors, and estimated the fiscal rate of return of such interventions – that is, the saving to the taxpayer for every pound spent by Barnardo’s on the intervention. Statistical methods were employed to measure the effect of Barnardo’s interventions on the severity of sexual exploitation and its associated risk factors. The cost of sexual exploitation was estimated for varying degrees of severity using a range of secondary sources. These estimates were then combined to calculate the gross financial benefit of the intervention, and compared to the cost of the intervention to give an overall fiscal rate of return. Two models are presented – one which assumes that the level of risk remains unchanged in the absence of the intervention, and one which provides an estimate of how the level of risk changes in the absence of an intervention. Both highlight that the benefits to the taxpayer of Barnardo's interventions for young people who have been sexually exploited substantially outweigh the costs, with a potential saving of either £6 or £12 for every £1 spent depending on the assumptions made, in addition to a substantial (non-costed) reduction in the risk of sexual exploitation. Details: London: Pro Bono Economics; Barnardo's, 2011. 45p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 20, 2011 at: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.probonoeconomics.com/wp-content/uploads/Barnados-report-final.pdf Shelf Number: 123057 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseOrganized CrimeSex OffensesSexual Exploitation, Children (U.K.) |
Author: Reza, Avid Title: Violence Against Children in Swaziland: Findings from a National Survey on Violence Against Children in Swaziland, May 15 – June 16, 2007 Summary: Violence against children is a significant global health and human rights problem, and a growing concern in sub-Saharan Africa. The problem of violence against children spans geographical boundaries, culture, race, class, and religion. It can be expressed in the form of physical or sexual assault or abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, and deprivation or neglect. Violence against children is a profound violation of human rights and has devastating short- and long-term mental and physical health consequences. This report focuses primarily on sexual violence against female children. According to the World Report on Violence and Health, sexual violence is defined as “any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed, against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting, including but not limited to home and work.” Existing research shows that sexual violence is a major health problem throughout the world. Although nationally representative studies on child sexual violence are limited in sub-Saharan Africa, available data show that sexual violence against children is an important problem in the region. Sexual violence is preventable. However, in order to develop and implement effective prevention strategies, timely and more complete data are needed. To the best of our knowledge, this survey provides, for the first time, national population based estimates that describe the magnitude and nature of the problem of violence experienced by female children in Swaziland. The objectives of this survey were to (1) describe the epidemiologic patterns of sexual violence and other forms of violence; (2) identify potential risk and protective factors for sexual violence; (3) assess the knowledge and utilization of health services available for victims of sexual violence and other forms of violence; (4) identify areas for further research; (5) raise awareness about violence as an important health problem; and (6) make recommendations on improving and enhancing interventions to better identify, treat and prevent sexual violence against children and its health-related consequences. This report will address all of the above listed objectives, with the exception of identifying risk and protective factors for sexual violence and areas for future research which will be presented in future publications. Details: Swaziland: Swaziland United Nations Children's Fund; Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2007. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2011 at: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/sz_publications_2007violenceagainstchildren.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Swaziland URL: http://www.unicef.org/swaziland/sz_publications_2007violenceagainstchildren.pdf Shelf Number: 123213 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (Swaziland)Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstSexual Violence |
Author: Finkelhor, David Title: Polyvictimization: Children’s Exposure to Multiple Types of Violence, Crime, and Abuse Summary: All too often, children are victims of violence, crime, and abuse. This victimization may take the form of physical assault, child maltreatment, sexual abuse, or bullying. They may also witness such events in their homes, schools, and communities. Some children suffer several different kinds of such victimization even over a relatively brief timespan. These children and youth are at particularly high risk for lasting physical, mental, and emotional harm. The National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV) was the first comprehensive national survey to look at the entire spectrum of children’s exposure to violence, crime, and abuse across all ages, settings, and timeframes. NatSCEV examined past-year and lifetime exposure to physical and emotional violence through both direct victimization and indirect exposure to violence (either as an eyewitness or through other knowledge). A focus of NatSCEV was multiple and cumulative exposures to violence. A large proportion of children surveyed (38.7 percent) reported in the previous year more than one type of direct victimization (a victimization directed toward the child, as opposed to an incident that the child witnessed, heard, or was otherwise exposed to). Of those who reported any direct victimization, nearly two-thirds (64.5 percent) reported more than one type. A significant number of children reported high levels of exposure to different types of violence in the past year: more than 1 in 10 (10.9 percent) reported 5 or more direct exposures to different types of violence, and 1.4 percent reported 10 or more direct victimizations. Children who were exposed to even one type of violence, both within the past year and over their lifetimes, were at far greater risk of experiencing other types of violence. For example, a child who was physically assaulted in the past year would be five times as likely also to have been sexually victimized and more than four times as likely also to have been maltreated during that period. Similarly, a child who was physically assaulted during his or her lifetime would be more than six times as likely to have been sexually victimized and more than five times as likely to have been maltreated during his or her lifetime (Finkelhor, Turner, Ormrod, Hamby, and Kracke, 2009). This helps explain why victimizations cumulate. More attention needs to be paid to children who are exposed to multiple types of violence, crime, and abuse. Most research has looked only at individual forms of child victimization — such as sexual abuse or bullying — without investigating the other exposures these same children may face. A new emphasis on the study of what is being called “polyvictimization” offers to help teachers, counselors, medical professionals, psychologists, child welfare advocates, law enforcement, juvenile justice system personnel, and others who work with children identify the most endangered children and youth and protect them from additional harm. This bulletin summarizes some of the key findings on polyvictimized youth, based on NatSCEV (see “History of the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence”) and the closely related Developmental Victimization Survey (DVS) (see “Methodology”). Among the key findings: 8 percent of all youth in the nationally representative NatSCEV sample had seven or more different kinds of victimization or exposures to violence, crime, and abuse in the past year. These polyvictimized youth had a disproportionate share of the most serious kinds of victimizations, such as sexual victimization and parental maltreatment. They also had more life adversities and were more likely to manifest symptoms of psychological distress. Polyvictimization tended to persist over time. It was most likely to start near the beginning of grade school and the beginning of high school, and was associated with a cluster of four prior circumstances or pathways: living in a violent family, living in a distressed and chaotic family, living in a violent neighborhood, and having preexisting psychological symptoms. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, 2011. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Juvenile Justice Bulletin: Accessed November 7, 2011 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/232273.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/232273.pdf Shelf Number: 123247 Keywords: BullyingChild Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild VictimizationChildren, Crimes Against (U.S.) |
Author: Wolak, Janis Title: Sexting: A Typology Summary: This bulletin presents a typology of sexting episodes based on a review of over 550 cases obtained from a national survey of law enforcement agencies. The cases all involved “youth‐produced sexual images,” defined as images of minors created by minors that could qualify as child pornography under applicable criminal statutes. The episodes could be broadly divided into two categories, which we termed ‘Aggravated’ and ‘Experimental’. Aggravated incidents involved criminal or abusive elements beyond the creation, sending or possession of youth‐produced sexual images. These additional elements included 1) adult involvement; or 2) criminal or abusive behavior by minors such as sexual abuse, extortion, threats; malicious conduct arising from interpersonal conflicts; or creation or sending or showing of images without the knowledge or against the will of a minor who was pictured. In Experimental incidents, by contrast, youth took pictures of themselves to send to established boy‐ or girlfriends, to create romantic interest in other youth, or for reasons such as attention‐seeking, but there was no criminal behavior beyond the creation or sending of images, no apparent malice and no lack of willing participation by youth who were pictured. Details: Durham, NH: Crimes Against Children Research Center, University of New Hampshire, 2011. 11p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 21, 2012 at http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV231_Sexting%20Typology%20Bulletin_4-6-11_revised.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV231_Sexting%20Typology%20Bulletin_4-6-11_revised.pdf Shelf Number: 123714 Keywords: Adult OffendersChild Sexual AbuseJuvenile OffendersSexting |
Author: Helweg-Larsen, Karin Title: Framework for Nordic youth surveys on child sexual abuse and exposure to violence outside and in the family. Summary: In June 2007 the Danish Crime Prevention Council (Det Kriminalpræventive Råd, DKR) engaged a group of Nordic researchers in a dialogue on the feasibility of setting up a framework for future surveys on violence and sexual abuse during childhood and early adolescence. The major objective was to promote research networking in order to create a basis for comparable studies in the five Nordic countries as a part of a joint Nordic project on violence "Violence and its reduction in the Nordic countries" (Våld och våldsreducering i Norden). Thereby, a solid foundation for prevention of sexual abuse and other violence against children would be achieved. By establishing a research network for a youth survey in different aspects of child violence in the Nordic countries, the aim was to encourage a joint Nordic framework. The Nordic researchers have agreed upon a survey model that may describe the current prevalence and character of child abuse and have tried to ensure future joint research projects on risk factors of child violence and abuse in the different Nordic countries based on comparable data. The present report describes the planning of a framework for youth surveys. In the report is documented the background for setting up school based youth surveys and the decisions taken by a working group. Details: Copenhagen, Denmark: Nordic Council of Ministers, TemaNord, 2009. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed on January 23, 2012 at http://www.norden.org/en/publications/publikationer/2009-540/at_download/publicationfile Year: 2009 Country: Denmark URL: http://www.norden.org/en/publications/publikationer/2009-540/at_download/publicationfile Shelf Number: 123750 Keywords: Child AbuseChild Sexual AbuseDenmarkFinlandIcelandNorwaySwedenVictimization SurveysViolence |
Author: Peters, Heather A. Title: Sex, sun and heritage: Tourism threats and opportunities in South East Asia Summary: This study is the first of two recommended studies which were requested as part of the Sub-Regional Plan of Action (SPA) for the COMMIT Process. The objective of the study is to: Compile and analyze selected “best practice” of Cambodia and Thailand in dealing with trafficking and the tourism services sector. Based upon advice from a wide range of international experts, many developing countries take the tourism industry as a primary economic growth engine. Countries such as Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar have little industrial development within their borders, and few domestic products to export to their neighbors or the rest of the world. With encouragement from large international institutions such as the World Bank and the ADB, leaders in these countries have come to the conclusion that their most important resources are their natural assets; i.e., their environment and traditional culture(s) – hence, their reliance on the tourism industry to bring economic prosperity to their small economies. Despite set-backs caused by the Iraq war, followed by Sars, the tourism industry is booming. In 2004, more than 700 million tourists were recorded world wide; 119.1 million of these went to the Asia Pacific Region; and 17.8 million visited the GMS. Tourism is promoted by its advocates as a “clean” industry and one which can serve to preserve both traditional cultures and the environment. The reality is far more complex. The truth of tourism development is that while it can bring real economic benefits to local communities, underscore and strengthen local cultural traditions, draw attention to and even assist environmental protection, the potential exists for tourism to erode the very resources on which it depends. Tourism is, in essence, an external dynamic force which brings hitherto unknown and unpredictable elements into people’s lives and societies. Despite the successes of several tourism projects, the reality of tourism bringing economic benefits to poor local communities, supporting traditional cultures and protecting the environment is still an elusive ideal. For example, leakages in the GMS – except for Thailand – range between 25-40% (2005 GMS Tourism Strategy Report), a situation which indicates that the local communities are not the primary beneficiaries of tourism dollars. A circuit tour of the region’s primary World Heritage Sites, i.e. Lijiang in Yunnan, Luang Prabang in Laos, Angkor Wat in Cambodia, reveals the extreme stress the high volumes of tourists place on traditional culture. The on-going quest to increase numbers of visitors to sites is, in fact, eroding the very cultural and historical values for which the sites were inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites in the first place. Tourism, thus, can introduce serious negative social impacts – impacts which are not an intrinsic part of tourism development, but which sadly accompany the kinds of tourism that are expanding rapidly in the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. These serious negative social impacts include sex tourism and especially child sex tourism (CST). Both of these impacts can be linked with trafficking. The study investigates and analyzes a wide range of antitrafficking projects and activities implemented by government agencies, international agencies, non-governmental agencies and the private sector to address the “three Ps”, i.e. prevention, protection and prosecution. Because a large amount of trafficking is not directly or indirectly linked with tourism, the study concentrates on those projects which tackle the problem of Child Sex Tourism and its related solution, Child Safe Tourism. Although Child Sex Tourism is not the only form of trafficking found within the tourism industry, it is the most heinous, and is found in both Thailand and Cambodia. The study found that there were a wide range of specific stakeholders in both Thailand and Cambodia involved with tackling this problem. Details: Monrovia, CA: World Vision, 2007. 72p. Source: A report on best "practices" on tourism and traffikcing: Internet Resource: Accessed February 14, 2012 at http://wvasiapacific.org/downloads/publications/sunsexheritage.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Asia URL: http://wvasiapacific.org/downloads/publications/sunsexheritage.pdf Shelf Number: 117608 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex Tourism (South East Asia)Sex TraffickingSexual Exploitation |
Author: North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University Title: North Dakota Statewide Child Abuse and Neglect Study: 2005 Survey Results Summary: This study reports findings from a follow-up survey of North Dakota public opinion regarding child abuse and neglect issues. The original baseline survey was conducted in the spring of 2002. The follow-up survey was conducted the spring of 2005. A campaign targeting sexual abuse took place between the two surveys. The overall purpose of these public opinion surveys is to gain insight into residents’ attitudes and perceptions regarding child abuse and neglect issues in North Dakota in an attempt to develop effective prevention strategies. In addition, the results provide valuable information that can be used in evaluating educational and programmatic campaigns targeting child abuse and neglect. The 2002 and 2005 reports are available online at http://www.ndsu.edu/sdc/publications.htm. Details: Fargo, ND: North Dakota State Data Center at North Dakota State University, 2005. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2012 at http://www.ndsu.edu/sdc/publications/childabuseneglect/ChildAbuseNeglect2005.pdf Year: 2005 Country: United States URL: http://www.ndsu.edu/sdc/publications/childabuseneglect/ChildAbuseNeglect2005.pdf Shelf Number: 124318 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (North Dakota)Child Sexual AbusePublic Opinion |
Author: Barrett, Alan Title: Childhood Sexual Abuse and Later-Life Economic Consequences Summary: The impact of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on later-life health outcomes has been studied extensively and links with depression, anxiety and self-harm have been established. However, there has been relatively little research undertaken on the possible impact of CSA on later-life economic outcomes. Here, we explore whether older men who report having experienced CSA have weaker labour force attachment and lower incomes compared to other men. We use data from the first wave of the new Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing (TILDA) which is a nationally-representative survey of people aged 50 and over. We find that male victims of CSA are almost four times more likely to be out of the labour force due to sickness and disability. They also spent a higher proportion of their potential working lives out of the labour force for these reasons and have lower incomes. These effects remain even when we control for mental health difficulties and negative health behaviors. Among the policy implications are the need to be more aware of the complex effects of CSA when designing labour market activation strategies such as training for the unemployed. The results are also relevant in the legal context where compensation awards are determined. Details: Bonn, Germany: IZA (The Institute for the Study of Labor), 2012. Source: IZA Discussion Paper No. 6332: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2012 at http://ftp.iza.org/dp6332.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Europe URL: http://ftp.iza.org/dp6332.pdf Shelf Number: 124365 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseEconomicsEmploymentVicitms of Crime |
Author: Heiberg, Turid, ed. Title: Ten Essential Learning Points: Listen and Speak Out against Sexual Abuse of Girls and Boys Summary: The UN Secretary General’s Study on Violence against Children offers an opportunity to speak out against sexual abuse of girls and boys and to identify ways of tackling this serious violation of children’s human rights. Two world congresses have paved the way for governments and the public to acknowledge the sexual exploitation of children, and the time is ripe for concerted actions to effectively protect children against all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation. The issue of child sexual abuse deserves to be taken seriously by the world community. It is an invasion of the child’s most intimate zone, a violation of the child’s physical and psychological integrity and a transgression of the moral norms of the child and the society. It creates fear in the boy or girl, who may be harmed for life physically and mentally. The stigma and shame surrounding child sexual abuse in all societies usually leaves the child to face the harm in solitude. Disclosure of the abuse seldom leads to a conviction of the abuser – rather it is the child who is blamed and judged. International law, in particular the Convention on the Rights of the Child, does set high standards for protection of children against all kinds of violence, but national laws, customary laws, traditional practices, systems of justice and child welfare systems do not adequately protect children. Implementing children’s rights, including their rights to protection, are as a rule not prioritised and overlooked in many places and situations. Children are as a consequence, denied full enjoyment of their rights, the development of their abilities and meaningful participation in society. Save the Children's report on sexual abuse is based on consultations carried out in Canada, Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, Romania, Spain, Mozambique, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Nepal, Nicaragua and Syria. The report is a contribution to the UN Study on Violence against Children, a study which was requested by the UN General Assembly in 2001. This report is one of three global thematic submissions to the UN Study; the other two focus on Physical and Humiliating Punishment and Children in Conflict with the Law. Details: London: The International Save the Children Alliance, 2005. 146p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 26, 2012 at: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/listen-and-speak-out-against-sexual-abuse-boys-and-girls-10-essential-lear Year: 2005 Country: International URL: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/listen-and-speak-out-against-sexual-abuse-boys-and-girls-10-essential-lear Shelf Number: 125067 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSexual Exploitation, ChildrenViolence Against Children |
Author: Netherlands. National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings Title: Child Pornography: First Report of the Dutch National Rapporteur Summary: The aim of this initial report is to provide some insight into the phenomenon of child pornography. The current state of affairs is also broadly analysed. The core theme within the analysis is that the approach towards tackling child pornography is inextricably linked to the overall approach towards tackling sexual violence against children, and must form part of this. At the present time, ample attention is already being paid to the structure of the policy on child pornography, specifically with regard to the repressive strategy. Considerations are being made regarding the most effective way of allocating the police capacity involved in the programme of measures, at a central and regional level, as described in the section ondetection in Chapter 3. However, an effective programme consists of more than just repressive action alone. Bodies other than the police and the judicial authorities have responsibilities in this area, as well; these other bodies will also be discussed in the following chapters. Contents: Chapter 1 ‘The phenomenon of child pornography’. This chapter forms the response to an extensive literature study, which enabled us to gain an insight into the complexity of the phenomenon. Chapter 2 ‘The government agenda’. This chapter analyses the manner in which the government has responded in terms of policymaking to the phenomenon of child pornography as it manifested itself as a social phenomenon and isstill continuing to do so. In view of the fact that child pornography forms part of the wider context of sexual violence against children, this report will look at aspects including the question as to whether the specific characteristics of child pornography that are shown in Chapter 1 have been taken into account in the policy initiatives in that area over the past two decades. It also examines current policy initiatives from the perspective of international developments and conventions, in which Articles 19 and 34 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Lanzarote Convention in particular have served as the guideline. Chapter 3 ‘Implementation’. The central question in this chapter relates to the way in which the means of implementation in practice contribute to the strategy to tackle child pornography within the wider context of protecting children from sexual violence. The processes that form part of the implementation policy that will be discussed include prevention, identification and registration, the repressive approach – consisting of detection, prosecution and trial and (after-care for and) monitoring of convicted sex offenders – and the provision of care to victims. This report also devotes special attention to the public-private sector partnership, which is essential in tackling child pornography. Chapter 4 ‘Conclusions and recommendations’. Finally, the report states which conclusions can be drawn from the previous chapters and what recommendations must be associated with these. Details: The Hague: Bureau of the Dutch National Rapporteur, 2011. 342p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 24, 2012 at: www.bnrm.nl/Images/child-pornography_tcm63-426858.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Netherlands URL: Shelf Number: 125747 Keywords: Child Pornography (The Netherlands)Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP Title: Report of the Special Investigative Counsel Regarding the Actions of the Pennsylvania State University Related to the Child Sexual Abuse Committed by Gerald A. Sandusky Summary: This report presents the findings of the investigation of the alleged failure of Pennsylvania State University personnel to respond to, and report to the appropriate authroities, the sexual abuse of children by former University football coach Gerald A. Sandusky and the circumstances under which such abuse could occur in University facilities or under the auspices of University programs for youth. Details: Wilmington, DE: Freeh Sporkin & Sullivan, LLP, 2012. 267p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 24, 2012 at: http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/files/freeh_report.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://i.turner.ncaa.com/dr/ncaa/ncaa/release/sites/default/files/files/freeh_report.pdf Shelf Number: 125746 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseJerry SanduskyPennsylvania State University |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). Innocenti Research Centre Title: Assessing 'The Code of Conduct' for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism: Discussion Paper Summary: The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism ('The Code') was established in 1998 by ECPAT Sweden with the assistance of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Since 2004 there has been no comprehensive assessment of the impact of The Code. In addition, no performance monitoring system has been put in place.This assessment was designed to review the current performance of The Code, and to propose a set of criteria based on rights-based principles for measuring the impact and effectiveness of The Code at global and country levels. Details: Florence, Italy: UNICEF Innocenti Research Centre, 2012. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2012 at: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/662 Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/662 Shelf Number: 125769 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationTourism and Crime |
Author: Nobody's Children Foundation 2009 - 2010 Title: "Sexual violence against children": Study of the phenomenon and dimensions of the violence against children raised in the residential institutions Summary: The project “Sexual Abuse of Children in Residential Institutions“ is aimed at examining the extent and scope of child sexual abuse in residential institutions in five European Union member states. The ultimate objective of the project is to promote the making of both national and European policies that prevent sexual abuse of institutionalized children. The use of uni-form research methodology will allow for the comparison of research results in different countries and sharing the experiences of good practices. The project was carried out in Bulgaria, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. The characteristics of children who grow up in residential institutions (parental alcohol abuse, family pathology, child neglect, etc.) provide grounds for the hypothesis that the experience of sexual contact with adults may be more common in the population of institutionalized chil-dren than in the general child population. Emotional neglect by the loved ones may motivate these children to seek emotional bonds with other grown-ups. Such children are especially likely to fall victim to paedophilia. Moreover, when the child is neglected and there are no close relationships between the child and his/her family, it becomes significantly less likely for the child to disclose the abuse and for the family members to notice symptoms of abuse in the child. Additionally, the very fact of growing up in an institution may increase the risk of sexual abuse. Many such institutions have a “second life”, focusing on the development and maintenance of a hierarchy of status and power among the residing children. Forced sex (when older and stronger residents force younger children to sexual activity), rape, etc. may serve as instruments of this “second life”. The problem of victimization of children living in residential care in Poland, including sexual abuse, was examined in 2005, when the Nobody’s Children Foundation conducted a survey (within its research programme) of 495 children selected from a representative na-tional sample of residential care institutions. Institutional staff were also included in the study. The 2009 study presented in this report helped to determine the scale (or prevalence) of such traumatic experiences among children living in residential institutions in Warsaw, and the scope of help available to them in such cases. The study used the methodology of the 2005 survey, making it possible to relate the findings about the Warsaw subjects to the national data. Details: Warsaw: Nobody's Children Foundation, 2010. 70p. Source: Internet REsource: Accessed August 30, 2012 at http://www.sapibg.org/attachments/article/1253/Poland%20%28EN%29.pdf Year: 2010 Country: Poland URL: http://www.sapibg.org/attachments/article/1253/Poland%20%28EN%29.pdf Shelf Number: 126176 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstResidential Institutions Child Abuse |
Author: United Children's Fund (UNICEF) Title: Child Maltreatment: Prevalence, Incidence and Consequences in East Asia and the Pacific. A Systematic Review of Research Summary: Child maltreatment – the physical, sexual and emotional abuse, exploitation and neglect of children – has been shown through the World Report on Violence and Health (2002) and the UN Secretary-General’s Study on Violence against Children (2006) to be widely prevalent in all societies. According to recent global data, more than one in four children worldwide reported having experienced severe and frequent physical abuse, while child sexual abuse was experienced by nearly one in five females and one in eleven males. Maltreatment can have profound and damaging consequences during childhood and adolescence and throughout adult life. Children who have experienced abuse or neglect are more likely to have poorer physical and/or mental health outcomes; social difficulties, such as insecure attachments with caregivers and problematic relationships with peers, and as adults later in life; cognitive dysfunction, attributable to the negative impact of excessive stress on brain development; high-risk behaviours, such as drug and alcohol abuse, early sexual activity and resulting teenage parenting; and behavioural problems, including aggression and adult criminality. In addition to addressing these crucial dimensions of children’s rights, investing in protecting children has a direct positive impact on a country’s human capital and economic growth and reduces the burden of government spending on the long-term consequences of abuse. National child protection systems are recognized as the most effective and sustainable means to protect children from all forms of maltreatment. The absence of such a system frequently leads to incomplete coverage, and to individual violations being addressed as separate, unrelated problems. UNICEF is strongly committed to working with partners to prevent and respond to child maltreatment. The Strengthening Child Protection System Series is a package of evidence and tools to support this effort in the East Asia and Pacific Region. It provides information and guidance on the scale and nature of child maltreatment, the immediate and long-term costs of such maltreatment to individuals, families and society, and effective and sustainable policies and programmes for child protection. The series is intended to contribute to an enhanced evidence base for rights-based interventions and the development of strong child protection systems in countries across the region. This publication, number 1 in the series, presents the findings of a systematic review of research over the last decade on the prevalence, incidence and consequences of child maltreatment in the region. While qualitative studies on particular forms of child abuse and exploitation in the region are numerous, scientific research on the overall extent of child maltreatment is severely lacking. This review has applied a rigorous methodology in identifying and analysing peer reviewed research as well as grey literature on the scale and nature of child maltreatment in the region to provide as reliable a picture as possible of current knowledge and understanding. The findings are intended to support the development of a model to estimate costs of child maltreatment, as a credible means of estimating the minimum, lifetime direct and indirect costs of child maltreatment across countries in East Asia and the Pacific. Such a model can demonstrate the potential economic savings to governments and society that would accrue from effective, evidence-based policies and programmes for the prevention of child maltreatment. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: UNICEF East Asia and Pacific Regional Office, 2012. 232-. Source: Internet Resource: Strengthening Child Protection Systems Series: No 1: Accessed September 10, 2012 at: http://www.unicef.org/eapro/Child_Maltreatment.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Asia URL: http://www.unicef.org/eapro/Child_Maltreatment.pdf Shelf Number: 126289 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Maltreatment (Asia)Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes Against |
Author: Macdonald, Geraldine Title: Cognitive-Behavioural Interventions for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused Summary: The sexual abuse of children is a substantial social problem that affects large numbers of children and young people worldwide. For many children, though not all, it can result in a range of psychological and behavioural problems, some of which can continue into adulthood. Knowing what is most likely to benefit children already traumatised by these events is important. This review aimed to find out if cognitive-behavioural approaches (CBT) help reduce the negative impact of sexual abuse on children. Ten studies, in which a total of 847 children participated, met the inclusion criteria for the review. The reporting of studies was poor, and there appear to be significant weaknesses in study quality. The evidence suggests that CBT may have a positive impact on the effects of child sexual abuse, including depression, post-traumatic stress and anxiety, but the results were generally modest. Implications for practice and further research are noted. Details: Oslo, Norway: Campbell Collaboration, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Campbell Systematic Review 2012:14: Accessed September 13, 2012 at: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001930.pub3/pdf Year: 2012 Country: International URL: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001930.pub3/pdf Shelf Number: 126330 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCognitive-Behavioral TherapyTreatment Programs |
Author: Hevanamage, Veyoma Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Thailand. 2nd Edition Summary: The Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children provides a detailed framework and categories of actions to be taken by governments in partnership with civil society organizations and other relevant actors for combating commercial sexual crimes against children. Broadly, these actions are focused on: 1) Coordination and Cooperation; 2) Prevention; 3) Protection; 4) Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration; and 5) Child Participation. The Agenda for Action is thus the formal and guiding structure used by governments that have adopted it and committed to work against CSEC. As such, the Agenda for Action is also the main organising framework for reporting on the status of implementation of the Agenda as seen in the World Congress II of 2001, the Mid-Term Review meetings held between 2004 and 2005 and the World Congress III in 2008. It has been used in the same way to structure and guide the research, analysis and preparation of information presented in these reports on the status of implementation of the Agenda in the individual countries. Preparatory work for this 2nd Edition report involved a review of the literature available on sexual exploitation for each of the countries where ECPAT works. A number of tools were prepared, such as a detailed glossary of CSEC terms, explanatory literature on more difficult themes and concepts and a guide to relevant CSEC related research tools, to assist researchers in their work and to ensure consistency in the gathering, interpreting and analysing of information from different sources and parts of the world. Desktop research has shown a continuing lack of information in the areas of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. After extensive efforts to collect information relevant to these areas for each of the countries covered, it was decided that as this information was not consistently available, the reports thus focus only on those areas of the Agenda for Action where verifiable information can be obtained. Thus, the report covers: Coordination and Cooperation; Prevention; Protection and Child and Youth Participation, and where information on recovery, rehabilitaton and reintegration, was available, it has been included under the country overview. These 2nd Edition Reports also reflect a greater focus on integrated and inter-sector collaboration for the realisation of the right of the child to protection from sexual exploitation, including the need nationally for comprehensive child protection systems. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2011. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/PDF/EAP/A4A2011_EAP_Thailand_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Thailand URL: http://www.ecpat.net/A4A_2005/PDF/EAP/A4A2011_EAP_Thailand_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 126549 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Thailand)Sex Tourism |
Author: Hevamange, Veyoma Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Japan. 2nd Edition Summary: The Agenda for Action against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children provides a detailed framework and categories of actions to be taken by governments in partnership with civil society organizations and other relevant actors for combating commercial sexual crimes against children. Broadly, these actions are focused on: 1) Coordination and Cooperation; 2) Prevention; 3) Protection; 4) Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration; and 5) Child Participation. The Agenda for Action is thus the formal and guiding structure used by governments that have adopted it and committed to work against CSEC. As such, the Agenda for Action is also the main organising framework for reporting on the status of implementation of the Agenda as seen in the World Congress II of 2001, the Mid-Term Review meetings held between 2004 and 2005 and the World Congress III in 2008. It has been used in the same way to structure and guide the research, analysis and preparation of information presented in these reports on the status of implementation of the Agenda in the individual countries. Preparatory work for this 2nd Edition report involved a review of the literature available on sexual exploitation for each of the countries where ECPAT works. A number of tools were prepared, such as a detailed glossary of CSEC terms, explanatory literature on more difficult themes and concepts and a guide to relevant CSEC related research tools, to assist researchers in their work and to ensure consistency in the gathering, interpreting and analysing of information from different sources and parts of the world. Desktop research has shown a continuing lack of information in the areas of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Reintegration. After extensive efforts to collect information relevant to these areas for each of the countries covered, it was decided that as this information was not consistently available, the reports thus focus only on those areas of the Agenda for Action where verifiable information can be obtained. Thus, the report covers: Coordination and Cooperation; Prevention; Protection and Child and Youth Participation, and where information on recovery, rehabilitaton and reintegration, was available, it has been included under the country overview. These 2nd Edition Reports also reflect a greater focus on integrated and inter-sector collaboration for the realisation of the right of the child to protection from sexual exploitation, including the need nationally for comprehensive child protection systems. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A2011_EAP_Japan_FINAL.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Japan URL: http://ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A2011_EAP_Japan_FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 126550 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Japan) |
Author: Cox, Lisa Title: Global Monitoring Status of Action Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Canada. 2nd Edition Summary: While childa prostitution is present throughout Canada, it is most visible in larger urban centres, such as Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, where small organised crime groups often control prostitution rings involving children. It is estimated that the average age of children entering prostitution in Canada is 13 to 18. Despite this problem, there are extremely limited services to support sexually exploited children. Experts in the field note that the single biggest challenge is securing safe housing for these child victims, as organisations providing shelter and focused services struggle to find funding to provide the full array of services needed. Several distinct groups of children are at particular risk of becoming involved in the sex trade in Canada. Those vulnerable groups include runaways, unwanted children, youth living independently, and children using Internet communications to solicit clients for sex. These children generally lack supervision and are developmentally unprepared to deal with the dangers associated with the sex trade. Canada is a source, transit, and destination country for children subjected to trafficking in persons. Across the country Canadian women and girls, particularly from Aboriginal communities, and foreign women and children, primarily from Asia and Eastern Europe, have been identified as victims of sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Victims of sex trafficking have been identified from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, Fiji, Taiwan, South Korea, the Philippines, Romania, Ukraine and Moldova. It is reported that Asian victims are found primarily in Vancouver and Western Canada while victims from Eastern Europe are primarily sent to Toronto, Montreal and Eastern Canada. Authorities also report Canadian lawmakers continue to grapple with the pressures and complexities of new technologies that increase the availability of child pornography. In the past several years, investigators in Canada have reported an increase in the number of videos available that depict child sexual abuse, as well as an increase in the size of personal collections that organised crime units are often involved and that many of the victims, especially ones from South Korea, were “in-transit” to the United States. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2012. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 3, 2012 at: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_CANADA.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Canada URL: http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Pdf/A4A_II/A4A_V2_AM_CANADA.pdf Shelf Number: 126551 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Canada)Child TraffickingHuman TraffickingOrganized Crime |
Author: Canada. Parliament. Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights Title: The Sexual Exploitation of Children in Canada: the Need for National Action Summary: The exploitation of children through prostitution, child pornography, the luring of children over the Internet and any sexual abuse of a child are all forms of sexual exploitation. The common thread that runs through these crimes is that a child‘s inherent human dignity has been violated for the sexual gratification of adults. Whether these adults are referred to as sexual predators, sex offenders, or child abusers, they are taking advantage of Canada‘s most vulnerable members, its children, and abusing the trust that children place in adults to protect them and to help them identify what is in their best interest. The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (the committee) began its study in 2009 of ―the issue of the sexual exploitation of children in Canada, with a particular emphasis on understanding the scope and prevalence of the problem of the sexual exploitation of children across the country and in particularly affected communities.‖ It had previously drawn attention to the pressing need for action by the Government of Canada in response to the commercial sexual exploitation of children in its 2007 report, Children: The Silenced Citizens, Effective Implementation of Canada’s International Obligations with Respect to the Rights of Children. Over the course of the present study, the committee learned from witnesses that the sexual exploitation of children is all too prevalent and that much more needs to be done to provide appropriate help to children who find themselves in these situations. The committee heard from many Canadians who are working to reduce the incidence of sexual exploitation in Canada and to assist those children who have been sexually exploited. These witnesses have a wealth of experience, creative initiative and commitment to contribute and we applaud their dedication. It became clear from their testimony, however, that many organisations across Canada do not have the funding, resources and support necessary to allow them to share experiences among themselves and to build upon each others‘ strengths. Witnesses also emphasized that there is currently a limited understanding of the scope and extent of sexual exploitation in Canada, of the challenges facing children in this regard, of the root causes that make some children more vulnerable to abuse, and of the various methods being used to lure children into exploitive situations. This lack of knowledge only serves to help the perpetrators who sexually exploit children. In this report, the committee provides its recommendations for how the federal government can develop well-informed policies, programs and services to help children avoid, escape or heal from the harms of sexual exploitation. Immediate action is also needed to ensure that an adequate and consistent level of services is available across the country to all Canadian children. By supporting the work of government agencies and non-government organisations through the national gathering of appropriate data and research, performing the appropriate analyses, and thereby leading the way to the development of better programs, the Government of Canada can lay the foundation for rebuilding children‘s trust that Canada can truly help them. Details: Ottawa: Canadian Parliament, 2011. 101p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 5, 2012 at: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/ridr/rep/rep03nov11-e.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Canada URL: http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/SEN/Committee/411/ridr/rep/rep03nov11-e.pdf Shelf Number: 126560 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Canada) |
Author: Tabachnick, Joan Title: A Reasoned Approach: Reshaping Sex Offender Policy to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Summary: It is only in the last 30 years that society has begun to fully recognize child sexual abuse as the devastating problem that it is, to portray the trauma of sexual abuse in the media, and to seek ways to prevent and eliminate sexual violence. As communities have begun to demand a response to sexual abuse, legislators have passed an increasing number of policies directed at the people who sexually abuse. In 2007 and 2008 alone, more than 1500 sex offender-related bills were proposed in state legislatures and over 275 new laws were enacted. Nearly all of these laws and policies follow two key trends: 1) they increase the length of sex offender incarceration and 2) they monitor, track, and restrict individuals convicted of sexual offenses upon their return to communities. While the intent of these laws is to protect communities from those who abuse, to improve responses to allegations of abuse, and to prevent child sexual abuse, the broad application of these laws has unintended consequences which may make our children and communities less safe. Research from the last decade has highlighted some of the unintended negative impacts these laws may be having on our ability to prevent sexual abuse before it is perpetrated and to prevent re-offense by individuals returning to communities. When a convicted abuser returns to a community, current sex offender management policy may cause the offender to face housing, employment, and financial instability, as well as social isolation and despair — all risk factors for re-offense. The resulting instability may also reduce the ability of law enforcement and probation and parole systems to supervise the offender and ensure that s/he has access to the specialized treatment and services necessary for full accountability. In creating a legislative policy environment that may inhibit the willingness of individuals, families, and communities to face, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse, our society does a disservice to its children. If no hopeful, rehabilitative solutions are available and made publicly known, people who witness signs of risk for victimization and/or perpetration may be less motivated to take the steps necessary to prevent child sexual abuse, intervene in situations of risk, and come forward when a child is sexually abused. Experts agree that a criminal justice response alone cannot prevent sexual abuse or keep communities safe. Yet, tougher sentencing and increased monitoring of sex offenders are fully funded in many states, while victim services and prevention programs are woefully underfunded. Furthermore, with the majority of child sexual abuse unreported (report rates are as low as 12 percent), laws and policies are unable to ensure accountability for those who abuse or to address the needs of victims. Even with these concerns there is reason for hope. Emerging research about people who sexually abuse has begun to inform new policies. Innovative state-based policies, and policies and programs within organizations and communities, are taking a comprehensive approach toward safety by focusing on the prevention of the perpetration of child sexual abuse, encouraging a range of options for holding abusers accountable, and offering incentives for abusers and families to reach out for help. And new collaborative models encourage cross-disciplinary professional partners to work together to craft new policies that prevent abuse before it is perpetrated and re-offense. Details: Beaverton, OR: Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, 2011. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2012 at http://www.atsa.com/sites/default/files/ppReasonedApproach.pdf Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://www.atsa.com/sites/default/files/ppReasonedApproach.pdf Shelf Number: 126572 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCrime PreventionCriminal Justice PolicyLegislationOffender ManagementSex Offenders |
Author: Ospina, Maria Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children and Youth Over the Internet: A Rapid Review of the Scientific Literature Summary: The role of the Internet in the health and wellbeing of children and youth is just beginning to emerge as a priority topic in the public health research agenda. Public policy attention has recently focused on the impact of this medium on the attitudes, behaviour, and health of young people. Among the potential risks, the sexual exploitation and abuse of children and youth over the Internet is of substantial concern. Children and youth can be abused over the Internet in many ways: Internet-initiated grooming for purposes of sexual abuse (that is, online sexual solicitation), the possession, production, and distribution of Internet-based abuse images of children and youth, Internet-based receipt by children and youth of abuse images, and Internet-initiated incitement of or conspiracy to commit sexual abuse of children and youth through activities such as sex tourism and prostitution. These Internet-related sexual exploitation activities directly or indirectly result in offline situations of sexual abuse directed toward children. The need exists to identify the most vulnerable population of children and youth who are at risk of online sexual exploitation over the Internet, and to determine whether prevention and intervention programs for online sexual exploitation have been evaluated in the scientific literature. The objectives of this rapid review were: 1) to provide a descriptive overview and synthesis of information regarding the state of research on the frequency, effects, and risk factors for sexual exploitation of children and youth over the Internet; 2) to identify and evaluate the evidence available in the scientific literature on the assessment tools for children and youth who have been sexually exploited via the Internet; 3) to identify and evaluate the evidence available in the scientific literature on the safety, efficacy, effectiveness, economic, social, legal, or ethical aspects of prevention and therapeutic strategies for sexual exploitation of children and youth via the Internet; and 4) to map the health care, educational, and community resources available in Alberta and Canada regarding Internet safety and prevention of child and youth abuse and exploitation via the Internet. Details: Edmonton, AB, Canada: Institute of Health Economics, 2010. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2012 at: http://www.ihe.ca/documents/Online%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Year: 2010 Country: International URL: http://www.ihe.ca/documents/Online%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Shelf Number: 126666 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesPornographySex Tourism |
Author: Koleva, Desislava Title: Comprehensive Response to Child Pornography: Thematic Study on the System for Prevention of Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in Bulgaria Summary: This study set out to explore the existing system and practices in Bulgaria and Eastern Europe for prevention and fighting child pornography. In the course of work the authors identified the need to provide an overview of the subject of online sexual exploitation and abuse of children and not just its manifestation in child pornography production and distribution. The Comprehensive Response to Child Pornography project is implemented by Save the Children Norway SEE Regional Office in cooperation with the Office of the State Coordinator for Anti-trafficking in Human Beings and Illegal Immigration in Bosnia and Herzegovina which invested financial and human resources in addressing this problem. The project is also financially supported by OAK Foundation. This study was conducted by the Centre for Inclusive Education which is partnering Save the Children in the first phase of the project with the main task to provide an overview of the situation in Bulgaria and identify and recommend good practices. The overarching goal of this study is to present a comprehensive perspective to the problem of sexual exploitation and abuse of children in cyberspace by outlining the main aspects and consequences of this crime, analyzing what has been achieved and what else can be done to improve the coordination of the fragmented approach taken so far. The specific objectives of the study were as following: - to study the existing system, procedures and capacities for prevention and fighting online sexual abuse and exploitation of children through child pornography in Bulgaria; - to understand and, if possible, suggest recommendations for addressing the challenges and improving the system; - to identify good practices that can be adopted and transferred by civil society organizations and public authorities in BiH. Why focusing on child pornography? The partners in this project have recognized that crimes against children are changing because of the advance in technology, particularly the Internet and information and communication technologies (ICTs). For the past decade most efforts have been focused on anti-child trafficking systems while also touching on other often accompanying manifestations of child sexual exploitation. Child trafficking for sexual purposes and prostitution are undoubtedly priority areas for prevention work in SEE countries. However, the spread of online sexual exploitation, including child pornography, through the advancement of ICTs which has been so far not in the spot light, should also be addressed as a priority in child protection policies. This research focuses on online sexual exploitation of children in its manifestation through child pornography materials but discusses also other ensuing aspects and dangers of the use of such materials in ‘grooming’ or enticing children over the Internet for sexually-oriented interactions that often spill over from cyberspace into real life. It attempts to present a more comprehensive picture of the harms involved in the exposure or involvement of children with child pornography. It argues that child pornography is not less harmful than physical violation. Child pornography is a fundamental abuse, not just a by-product of physical sexual abuse. Recent studies suggest that the use of children to make pornography ‘adds value’ to a commercial sexual exchange and assists in facilitating a child’s submission into other forms of commercial sex or sexual abuse. Early desktop study of official documents and research of secondary sources revealed a lack of up-todate data and scarce analysis materials regarding the situation and existing practices with regards to online sexual exploitation of children in Bulgaria. Despite these limitations, sufficient information was gathered to provide a broad overview of the situation in the country. The field research and round table discussion proved to be invaluable for analysis. They also served as a measure for validating information as different actors offered their perspective based on their practice. While the recommendations and main findings of this study are aimed primarily at Bulgarian and BiH civil society actors and decision makers, they will also be disseminated to relevant stakeholders and the broader public in order to achieve involvement and support of society in the fight against this form of child abuse. Details: Oslo: Centre for Exclusive Education & Save the Children Norway, 2009. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed october 11, 2012 at: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/comprehensive-response-child-pornography-thematic-study-system-prevention- Year: 2009 Country: Bulgaria URL: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/comprehensive-response-child-pornography-thematic-study-system-prevention- Shelf Number: 126679 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Bulgaria)Computer CrimesInternet Crimes |
Author: Binazzi Daniel, Alice Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents in Travel and Tourism in the Dominican Republic - An Anthropological Perspective Summary: The present study is part of a reflection of a wider field research work carried out in the Dominican Republic on exploitation phenomena of children and adolescents. This research is based on a three-month field work and on a retrospective ethnography of previously acquired local meanings. The formulated hypothesis was that the eventual existence of stereotypes and discriminations experienced in local society, could lead to the exploitation of children and adolescents. The objective of this study particularly focuses on identifying and interpreting local social norms and cultural flows, involving children and adolescents, which can contribute, together with other root-causes, to the creation of the pre-conditions for sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in prostitution and, in particular, in travel and tourism. Also, a deeper understanding of local cultural flows can strongly support and enhance aid effectiveness. This study has been carried out according to an anthropological approach that intends to go beyond the statistical investigation by sample method and provides an in-depth qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis of the anthropological approach, through its ethnographic field work, often has the merit of contributing to integrate further quantitative research approaches. Details: Stockholm: Save the Children Sweden, 2011. 22p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 16, 2012 at: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/sexual-exploitation-children-and-adolescents-travel-and-tourism-dominican- Year: 2011 Country: Dominican Republic URL: http://resourcecentre.savethechildren.se/content/library/documents/sexual-exploitation-children-and-adolescents-travel-and-tourism-dominican- Shelf Number: 126709 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Dominican Republic)Child TraffickingSex Tourism |
Author: Delaney, Stephanie Title: Protecting Children from Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Violence in Disaster and Emergency Situations Summary: This manual is about how to protect children from sexual violence and sexual exploitation, specifically in disaster and emergency situations. It is not intended to be an academic, rather a practical guide that will be of use to people working directly in the field. The aim is to provide fundamental information to assist personnel working in emergency situations in responding to protect children, in terms of what can be done before disaster strikes (which might be called ‘mitigation’ efforts), in the immediate aftermath and in the longer term reconstruction phase. It also includes recommended actions and key considerations to be taken into account in the event of sexual violence or sexual exploitation. Details: Bangkok: End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT), 2006. 119p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2012 at: http://www.preventionweb.net/files/2709_protectingchildren.pdf Year: 2006 Country: International URL: http://www.preventionweb.net/files/2709_protectingchildren.pdf Shelf Number: 126733 Keywords: Child AbuseChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationDisasters and Emergencies |
Author: Lynch, Darlene C. Title: Addressing the “Demand” Side of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: Review of Federal and State Laws for Prosecuting Offenders Summary: Hundreds of children are commercially sexually exploited through prostitution in Georgia every month.i Atlanta is a hub for this activity and has been identified by federal law enforcement officials as one of the fourteen U.S. cities with the highest rates of child prostitution.ii However, the problem is not confined to the Atlanta area; children are being commercially sexually exploited throughout the state.iii Commercially sexually exploiting children through prostitution violates a number of federal and state criminal statutes related to sex trafficking, pimping, and pandering.iv However, these crimes rarely occur in isolation. Often, the exploitation of children is part of a broader criminal enterprise such as a street gang or human trafficking ring.v Whether or not such an enterprise is involved, exploited children may be kidnapped, beaten, raped, threatened, or provided drugs to ensure compliance.vi Efforts to identify, arrest, and prosecute those who commercially sexually exploit children will be more effective and produce longer sentences if they take into account this broad range of related criminal activity. There are some limitations. When a single act, such as the sexual assault of a child, gives rise to more than one offense, the constitutional prohibition against double jeopardy may prevent multiple convictions.vii A defendant cannot, for example, be convicted of a greater offense and a lesser included offense at the same time.viii On the other hand, he may be convicted of multiple offenses when those offenses differ slightly, with each requiring proof of a fact that the other does not.ix For example, he may be convicted of rape and statutory rape based on the same sexual act, because rape requires proof of force which statutory rape does not, and statutory rape requires proof of the victim’s age which rape does not.x Additionally, when an act is a crime under two separate jurisdictions’ laws – for example when the act is both a federal and a state crime – it does not violate double jeopardy to prosecute the offender under both systems.xi Thus, a defendant can be convicted under Georgia’s sex trafficking lawxii and under the federal sex trafficking lawxiii for the exact same act without violating the defendant’s constitutional rights. Further, when the defendant commits a series of separate acts during the exploitation of a child, double jeopardy rules do not prevent him from being charged, convicted and punished for a range of offenses based on the different types of conduct that occurred.xiv Finally, in Georgia, certain offenses, such as sex trafficking, kidnapping and possession of firearm during a felony, are always treated as separate offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of these crimes regardless of any related convictions.xv This report provides a comprehensive list of Georgia and federal criminal laws that are commonly violated during the commercial sexual exploitation of children (“CSEC”). It includes a detailed chart explaining how different types of crimes relate to CSEC, outlining the elements of each crime and the associated penalties, and providing citations to the criminal statutes and any relevant case law interpreting those statutes. Finally, it analyzes the existing state statutes to identify opportunities to amend Georgia law to better deter those who would exploit children and punish those who have. Details: Atlanta, GA: Barton Child Law and Policy Clinic Emory University School of Law, 2010. 80p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 15, 2012 at: http://children.georgia.gov/sites/children.georgia.gov/files/imported/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/45/16/158888649GOFCDemandProject.pdf Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://children.georgia.gov/sites/children.georgia.gov/files/imported/vgn/images/portal/cit_1210/45/16/158888649GOFCDemandProject.pdf Shelf Number: 126734 Keywords: Child MolestationChild PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.S.)Commercial Sexual Exploitation of ChildrenSex Offenses, Prosecution |
Author: Brodie, Isabelle Title: Exploring the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Exploitation in Scotland Summary: The report provides a summary of known evidence about the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland, based on existing statistics and research and workshops with practitioner experts. The study had three aims: to review existing research, policy and practice literature from the UK regarding the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation, and trafficking for sexual exploitation, focusing on Scotland; to review key Scottish statistics regarding the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland; and to gather preliminary and exploratory information from key professionals regarding their perceptions of the scale and nature of child sexual exploitation in Scotland. Establishing the prevalence of sexual exploitation is very difficult. The problem is not visible, and its existence is difficult to uncover. Specific problems include: growing but still limited awareness of the issue; differences in the ways in which the issue is defined by young people, parents and carers and professionals; and differences in the way in which policy and practice is developed at local level. UK studies of child sexual exploitation have highlighted a number of difficulties associated with establishing prevalence, including different levels of awareness resulting in varying expertise in identifying the issue and a lack of local scoping exercises. The research evidence indicates vulnerability across a range of deprived groups, including those excluded from school, those looked after and those who are delinquent or gang-involved. Details: Edinburgh: Scottish Government Social Research, 2012. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2012 at: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/9300 Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2012/10/9300 Shelf Number: 126811 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Scotland)Child Trafficking |
Author: New Zealand. Ministry of Women's Affairs Title: Lightning Does Strike Twice: Preventing Sexual Revictimisation Summary: In 2009, the Ministry of Women's Affairs (MWA) published the findings from a cross-departmental research project on effective interventions for adult victim/survivors of sexual violence. The prevalence and impacts of repeat sexual victimisation (or sexual revictimisation) emerged as an issue of critical importance: preventing it could go a long way to addressing the costs of violence against women to individuals and society. On the basis of that evidence, MWA undertook some early discussions with government agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs), about their understandings of and responses to sexual revictimisation. The discussions indicated that understanding varied and that responses tend to focus on mitigating the impacts of sexual violence, rather than preventing it from happening again. Agencies also indicated that they would welcome an accessible summary of the research literature on sexual revictimisation. This report establishes a platform for identifying the policy and practice implications of sexual revictimisation and other forms of gender-based violence. It summarises key themes in the research literature on sexual revictimisation and includes insights and feedback obtained from workshops to discuss the research findings with representatives of key government agencies and NGOs in the sexual and family violence sectors. Overall the report presents a complex picture of sexual violence and revictimisation, as experienced by many women across the life course. It strengthens our understanding of the profound and far-reaching impacts of sexual victimisation in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. While sexual revictimisation of women is the main focus, the evidence highlights the links between sexual violence and other forms of gender-based violence, including men’s violence against their female intimate partners (IPV), childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and other types of child maltreatment. It underscores the importance of early identification of repeat victim/survivors, the need to break the cycle of repeat victimisation, and to provide consistent and appropriate support for survivors and their families and whānau, at a systemic level. Details: Wellington, NZ: Ministry of Women's Affairs, 2012. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 9, 2012 at: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Year: 2012 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.mwa.govt.nz/news-and-pubs/publications/lightning-does-strike-twice-preventing-revictimisation.pdf Shelf Number: 126914 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFamily ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceRapeRepeat Victimization (New Zealand)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Sibling Sexual Abuse Summary: Sibling sexual abuse is a hidden and often under-reported form of sexual abuse. Studies indicate that sibling sexual abuse is more prevalent than other types of intra-familial sexual abuse. Due to the mostly close relationship and physical proximity between siblings, sibling sexual abuse is considered an opportunistic form of abuse. Abusive siblings are often displaying problematic sexual behaviours or developmentally inappropriate behaviours that may be the result of victimisation they have encountered themselves - either witnessed or experienced. Abused siblings often do not disclose being abused due, among other things, to fear of not being believed, fear of upsetting parents, or confusion over their role in the abuse. Current therapeutic frameworks suggest providing counselling for the whole family. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assualt, Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2012. 18p. Source: ACSSA Research Summary: Internet Resource: Accessed November 12, 2012 at http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum3/ressum3.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aifs.gov.au/acssa/pubs/researchsummary/ressum3/ressum3.pdf Shelf Number: 126923 Keywords: Acolescent Sex OffendersChild Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse (Australia)Sibling AbuseSibling Incest |
Author: Dabney, Jonathan Dickinson Title: Identifying Victims of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking in a Juvenile Custody Setting Summary: Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking (DMST) is a severe form of child sexual exploitation. Thus far, DMST studies have been qualitative or relied on secondary data. There has been no quantitative attempt to directly identify victims in a methodical way in order to determine the prevalence of DMST at a local level or the nature and strengths of its correlates. The present study used a three-tiered screening process to identify victims of DMST in a juvenile detention center. All youth taken into custody over a three and a half month period (N = 738) received a short assessment to identify those most at risk and in need of additional screening. During the study, six youth were identified as DMST victims and statistically significant differences were found between youth referred for additional screening (N = 47) and youth who were not. The results suggest that detention and probation staff identified the presence of DMST risk factors in youth screen interviews and were making referral decisions based on the presence of those risk factors. Practical implications of the findings are discussed along with suggestions for future research. Details: Portland, OR: Portland State University, 2011. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed December 10, 2012 at: http://dr.archives.pdx.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/psu/7010/Dabney_psu_0180E_10259.pdf?sequence=1 Year: 2011 Country: United States URL: http://dr.archives.pdx.edu/xmlui/bitstream/handle/psu/7010/Dabney_psu_0180E_10259.pdf?sequence=1 Shelf Number: 127207 Keywords: Child Sex Trafficking (U.S.)Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Idaho State Police, Statistical Analysis Center Title: Violent Crimes Against Children in Idaho as Reported to Law Enforcement: 1998-2011 Summary: This is a report on violent crimes against children as reported to the police in Idaho from 1998 through 2011. Data comes from police agencies participating in the Idaho State Incident-Based Reporting (IIBR) program. The IIBR is a subset of the National Incident Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which collects crime data from law enforcement agencies throughout the United States. Violent crimes include murder/non-negligent manslaughter, negligent manslaughter, aggravated assault, simple assault, intimidation, and sexual assaults (forcible rape and sodomy, forcible fondling, and sexual assault with an object). Trends -- The rates of violent crime against both children and adults are down nationally and in Idaho. In Idaho, violent crimes against children decreased at a greater rate than violent crimes against adults from 1998 to 2011 (-43% versus -27%). Aggravated assaults of children and abductions of children decreased the most since 1998 (-56% and -61% respectively). Details: Meridian, ID: Idaho State Police, 2012. 19p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 29, 2013 at: http://www.jrsa.org/ibrrc/background-status/Idaho/ID_JuvenileVictims.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.jrsa.org/ibrrc/background-status/Idaho/ID_JuvenileVictims.pdf Shelf Number: 127425 Keywords: Child Abuse (Idaho)Child MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseCrime Against ChildrenFamily ViolenceViolent Crimes |
Author: U.S. Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Title: Defending Childhood. Protect. Heal. Thrive. Summary: Exposure to violence is a national crisis that affects approximately two out of every three of our children. Of the 76 million children currently residing in the United States, an estimated 46 million can expect to have their lives touched by violence, crime, abuse, and psychological trauma this year. In 1979, U.S. Surgeon General Julius B. Richmond declared violence a public health crisis of the highest priority, and yet 33 years later that crisis remains. Whether the violence occurs in children’s homes, neighborhoods, schools, playgrounds or playing fields, locker rooms, places of worship, shelters, streets, or in juvenile detention centers, the exposure of children to violence is a uniquely traumatic experience that has the potential to profoundly derail the child’s security, health, happiness, and ability to grow and learn — with effects lasting well into adulthood. Exposure to violence in any form harms children, and different forms of violence have different negative impacts. Sexual abuse places children at high risk for serious and chronic health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicidality, eating disorders, sleep disorders, substance abuse, and deviant sexual behavior. Sexually abused children often become hypervigilant about the possibility of future sexual violation, experience feelings of betrayal by the adults who failed to care for and protect them. Physical abuse puts children at high risk for lifelong problems with medical illness, PTSD, suicidality, eating disorders, substance abuse, and deviant sexual behavior. Physically abused children are at heightened risk for cognitive and developmental impairments, which can lead to violent behavior as a form of self-protection and control. These children often feel powerless when faced with physical intimidation, threats, or conflict and may compensate by becoming isolated (through truancy or hiding) or aggressive (by bullying or joining gangs for protection). Physically abused children are at risk for significant impairment in memory processing and problem solving and for developing defensive behaviors that lead to consistent avoidance of intimacy. Intimate partner violence within families puts children at high risk for severe and potentially lifelong problems with physical health, mental health, and school and peer relationships as well as for disruptive behavior. Witnessing or living with domestic or intimate partner violence often burdens children with a sense of loss or profound guilt and shame because of their mistaken assumption that they should have intervened or prevented the violence or, tragically, that they caused the violence. They frequently castigate themselves for having failed in what they assume to be their duty to protect a parent or sibling(s) from being harmed, for not having taken the place of their horribly injured or killed family member, or for having caused the offender to be violent. Children exposed to intimate partner violence often experience a sense of terror and dread that they will lose an essential caregiver through permanent injury or death. They also fear losing their relationship with the offending parent, who may be removed from the home, incarcerated, or even executed. Children will mistakenly blame themselves for having caused the batterer to be violent. If no one identifies these children and helps them heal and recover, they may bring this uncertainty, fear, grief, anger, shame, and sense of betrayal into all of their important relationships for the rest of their lives. Community violence in neighborhoods can result in children witnessing assaults and even killings of family members, peers, trusted adults, innocent bystanders, and perpetrators of violence. Violence in the community can prevent children from feeling safe in their own schools and neighborhoods. Violence and ensuing psychological trauma can lead children to adopt an attitude of hypervigilance, to become experts at detecting threat or perceived threat — never able to let down their guard in order to be ready for the next outbreak of violence. They may come to believe that violence is “normal,” that violence is “here to stay,” and that relationships are too fragile to trust because one never knows when violence will take the life of a friend or loved one. They may turn to gangs or criminal activities to prevent others from viewing them as weak and to counteract feelings of despair and powerlessness, perpetuating the cycle of violence and increasing their risk of incarceration. They are also at risk for becoming victims of intimate partner violence in adolescence and in adulthood. The picture becomes even more complex when children are “polyvictims” (exposed to multiple types of violence). As many as 1 in 10 children in this country are polyvictims, according to the Department of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s groundbreaking National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV). The toxic combination of exposure to intimate partner violence, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or exposure to community violence increases the risk and severity of posttraumatic injuries and mental health disorders by at least twofold and up to as much as tenfold. Polyvictimized children are at very high risk for losing the fundamental capacities necessary for normal development, successful learning, and a productive adulthood. The financial costs of children’s exposure to violence are astronomical. The financial burden on other public systems, including child welfare, social services, law enforcement, juvenile justice, and, in particular, education, is staggering when combined with the loss of productivity over children’s lifetimes. It is time to ensure that our nation’s past inadequate response to children’s exposure to violence does not negatively affect children’s lives any further. We must not allow violence to deny any children their right to physical and mental health services or to the pathways necessary for maturation into successful students, productive workers, responsible family members, and parents and citizens. The findings and recommendations of the task force are organized into six chapters. The first chapter provides an overview of the problem and sets forth 10 foundational recommendations. The next two chapters offer a series of recommendations to ensure that we reliably identify, screen, and assess all children exposed to violence and thereafter give them support, treatment, and other services designed to address their needs. In the fourth and fifth chapters, the task force focuses on prevention and emphasizes the importance of effectively integrating prevention, intervention, and resilience across systems by nurturing children through warm, supportive, loving, and nonviolent relationships in our homes and communities. In the sixth and final chapter of this report, the task force calls for a new approach to juvenile justice, one that acknowledges that the vast majority of the children involved in that system have been exposed to violence, necessitating the prioritization of services that promote their healing. Details: Washington, DC: The Task Force, 2012. 183p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 30, 2013 at: http://www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood/cev-rpt-full.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood/cev-rpt-full.pdf Shelf Number: 127452 Keywords: Child AbuseChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Exposure to Violence (U.S.)Community ViolenceIntimate Partner ViolenceViolenceViolent Crime |
Author: Keesbury, Jill, Onyango-Ouma, W. Title: A Review and Evaluation of Multi-Sectoral Response Services (One-Stop Centers) for Gender-Based Violence in Kenya and Zambia Summary: While data are very limited on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Africa, estimates suggest that SGBV is a major health, human rights, and development issue in the region, as it is globally. Approximately half of the women aged 15-49 (48%) in Zambia have experienced physical violence, and one in five women have experienced sexual violence (Zambia DHS, 2007). In Kenya, 39% of women aged 15-49 have ever experienced physical violence since the age of 15, and one in five (21%) reported sexual violence. Given complicated stigma and reporting issues, it is likely that these national Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) underestimate the true prevalence and incidence of violence. Children are not immune to this epidemic. A global school-based survey found that 31% of girls and 30% of boys aged 13-15 in Zambia had been forced to have sex (Brown et al., 2009). Results of the study based on responses from males and females aged 18 to 24 indicate that lifetime exposure to childhood violence is exceedingly and unacceptably high in Kenya. Nearly one in three females and one in five males experience at least one episode of sexual violence before reaching age 18 – an experience that can shape their futures in terms of their attitudes towards violence, their adoption of risky behaviors and their emotional health. The figures for physical violence were even more startling, with two in three females and three in four males suffering at least one episode of physical violence. This was defined as slapping, pushing, punching, kicking, whipping, or being beaten with an object (UNICEF et al., 2012). An increasingly popular strategy for addressing SGBV is through the establishment of 'one-stop centers‘ (OSCs), which provide integrated, multi-disciplinary services in a single physical location. The basic services of the OSC model in low resource settings in East and Southern Africa comprise health care (including psychosocial support), police and justice sector responses, and ongoing social support (Population Council, 2008; Keesbury & Askew, 2010). These are often provided within the context of a health facility due to the highly medicalized nature of the initial response services. Although a number of variations exist, at the core of this approach is a system of integrated medico-legal and counseling services. This system can either be physically co-located or can consist of a referral network that links the sectors. The goals of this assessment were two-fold: First, to assess the effectiveness of different OSC models in terms of health and legal outcomes for survivors, and the cost-effectiveness of these models; and second, to identify lessons learned in OSC implementation with recommendations for both start-up and scale-up. The assessment was conducted in three sites in Zambia and two in Kenya using a comparative case study approach to address the objectives. Three distinct OSC models were examined to determine the core strengths and weaknesses of each. Each OSC was considered as a "case" and multiple data sources were triangulated to assess their individual effectiveness, as well as the comparative effectiveness across sites. Fieldwork took place in Zambia from July-August 2011 and in Kenya from September-December 2011. Data were collected through: facility inventories (including cost data); client record reviews; court transcript reviews; and key informant interviews with survivors and local stakeholders. Details: Nairobi, Kenya: Population Council, 2012. 89p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 31, 2013 at: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_SGBV_OSCRevEval.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Africa URL: http://www.popcouncil.org/pdfs/2012RH_SGBV_OSCRevEval.pdf Shelf Number: 127461 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseGender-Based Violence (Kenya and Zambia)Sexual ViolenceVictim ServicesViolence Against Women |
Author: Sharp, Nicola Title: Still Hidden? Going Missing as an Indicator of Child Sexual Exploitation Summary: In 2011-12, 128 of the children and young people who contacted Missing People were identified as either experiencing or being at risk of child sexual exploitation. Analysis of the cases for which details of age and gender were known revealed that all the victims were female and the majority were aged between 13 and 17.3 This reflects what is understood nationally about the profile of sexually exploited children and young people (CEOP, 2011; Jago et al. 2011; Berelowitz et al. 2012). The experiences of exploited young people further reflect recognised methods of coercion, including being coerced by people and/or by circumstances to exchange sexual acts for accommodation, grooming and use of the internet. Exploitation was initiated by strangers, older ‘boyfriends’, relatives and networks of perpetrators. The number of children and young people affected by child sexual exploitation and receiving support from the charity is almost certainly an underestimate. As Jago et al. (2011) note, sexually exploited young people are often described as ‘hidden’. Their experiences can go unrecognised or be misunderstood, particularly in the case of older teenagers. This is because the coercive nature of exploitative relationships may hide or confuse what is really going on for practitioners and young people alike. In addition, the exploitative process may lead young people to display behaviour that masks their vulnerability. As a consequence, a key principle in responding to the exploitation of children and young people is to take a proactive approach (Pearce, 2009; Jago et al. 2011). This includes increasing recognition of the indicators of child sexual exploitation and being able to respond appropriately. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England notes this in its interim report on chid sexual exploitation in gangs and groups and urges that immediate action is taken in relation to circulating details of the warning signs to all professionals who come into contact with children and young people (Berelowitz et al. 2012). Of the 11 warning signs identified by the inquiry report, ‘missing from home or care’ is noted as representing ‘particular concern’. Details: London: Missing People, 2012. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 7, 2013 at: https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/missing-people/latest-news/missing-people-launches-report-to-safeguard-vulnerable-children Year: 2012 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.missingpeople.org.uk/missing-people/latest-news/missing-people-launches-report-to-safeguard-vulnerable-children Shelf Number: 127853 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMissing Children (U.K.)Runaways |
Author: Gurung, Sundip Title: Silent Sufferers: Street Children, Drugs, and Sexual Abuse in Kathmandu, Nepal Summary: Objective: To observe socio-demographic distribution among street children in Kathmandu, and to identify associations between drug use and sexual abuse with regards to socio-demographic variables and predictive variables. Design and participants: A cross sectional study was conducted among 248 street children in Kathmandu, Nepal in 2009. Children were recruited on purposive sampling method and were asked about socio-demographic factors, drug use, sexual abuse, visits to/contact with family, gang involvement, and years spent in the streets. Results: There were significant differences among boys and girls with regard to ethnicity (p=0.002) and main source of income (p=<0.001) as well as with regard to drug use (p=<0.001), gang involvement (p=<0.001), alcohol consumption (p=<0.001), contact with family (p=<0.001), and sexual abuse (p=<0.001). After controlling the potential confounders, an association was observed between drug use and source of income among the boys [begging, OR of 4.9 CI (1.4-17), and thief/pick pocket, OR of 4.8 CI (1.1-24)]. Similarly, there was an association between drug use and alcohol consumption [Casual drinkers, OR of 3.2 CI (1.4-7.4), and regular drinkers, OR of 8.1 CI (2.0-32)]. Conclusion: The study provides important information on how distribution pattern of socio-demographic factors and predictive variables differ among boys and girls in street of Kathmandu. It also provides the information on association of drug use with regards to some of the socio-demographic factors and predictive variables. Details: Umea, Sweden: Umeå International School of Public Health, Epidemiology and Global Health, 2011. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed March 18, 2013 at: http://www.phmed.umu.se/digitalAssets/91/91830_sundip-gurung.pdf Year: 2011 Country: Nepal URL: http://www.phmed.umu.se/digitalAssets/91/91830_sundip-gurung.pdf Shelf Number: 128009 Keywords: BeggingChild Sexual AbuseDrug Abuse and AddictionGangsStreet Children (Nepal) |
Author: Gallagher, Margaret Title: Helpline Highlight: Northern Ireland: A year in review April 2011-March 2012 Summary: The NSPCC has provided a helpline in Northern Ireland for the last 25 years, as part of a UK-wide service. The helpline protects children by providing advice and information to adults and professionals, and by making referrals to trusts and the police when necessary. People can get in touch by telephone, text, email or online. Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can make contact by textphone or webcam. In 2011/121, over 44,000 people across the UK reported concerns about children, a 29 per cent increase on the previous year. This report, however, explores the data available for Northern Ireland. It identifies the numbers of adults in Northern Ireland who contacted the helpline, the nature of the concerns they had about children, the length of time they waited before getting in touch, and the number of cases the helpline had to refer to Northern Ireland children’s services or police. These topline statistics have been supplemented by an in depth review of 200 Northern Ireland contacts that resulted in a referral to social services or police. This report features anonymised quotes from some of these contacts, to provide the reader with a sense of the nature and content of these cases. Key findings • In 2011/12 the helpline responded to 691 contacts from people in Northern Ireland. • This is an increase of 58 per cent on the previous year. • 353 of the contacts in 2011/12 resulted in referrals – involving 717 children – to children’s services or the police in NI (1.7 per cent of all referrals made by the helpline across the UK). • 338 were contacts where helpline counsellors2 provided information or advice, helping an estimated 676 children (1.6 per cent of the total number of advice calls dealt by the helpline across the UK). • Neglect was the leading cause for referrals (138 cases, 39 per cent); it accounted for 12 per cent of cases where we offered advice (40 contacts). • 14 per cent of referrals (50) were about sexual abuse. This is higher than the UK average, which was 10 per cent. • 289 children (45 per cent) involved in referrals were under six years old3. • In total, 138 people contacting us from Northern Ireland reported that they had concerns for more than a month, with 68 of these being so serious we had to make referrals. • In cases where the concerns were so significant we had to make referrals, 41 people (32 per cent)4 had waited more than six months before getting in touch (compared to 26 per cent for the rest of the UK). • The majority of contacts leading to referrals came from members of the public, not from family members or professionals. Details: London: NSPCC, 2013. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 5, 2013 at: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/helpline/helpline-highlight-northern-ireland-pdf_wdf94910.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/Inform/research/helpline/helpline-highlight-northern-ireland-pdf_wdf94910.pdf Shelf Number: 128291 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (Northern Ireland)Child MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Piening, Suzanne Title: From “The Life” to My Life: Sexually Exploited Children Reclaiming Their Futures. Suffolk County Massachusetts’ Response to Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Summary: The commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is a crime of systemized brutality and sexual assault that is deliberately waged on children with prior histories of neglect, abuse, isolation and vulnerability. In recent years, hundreds of girls in the Boston area have been drawn into “the life” of commercial sexual exploitation; countless others remain at risk. These child victims are typically groomed by their exploiters with initial promises of the love and protection that they so deeply crave. Over time, through an incremental process of isolation and abuse, this child becomes the dehumanized possession of her exploiter; repeatedly assaulted physically, sexually and emotionally for her exploiter’s economic gain. This report describes efforts in Suffolk County to identify high risk and sexually exploited children and to provide a path to safety and recovery. Based on interviews and focus groups with professionals from the Boston area’s 35+ agency Support to End Exploitation Now (SEEN) Coalition, this report profiles the problem of CSEC in Suffolk County and describes service models and legislation that are having a positive impact. In addition, it outlines recommendations for continued development, expansion and coordination of these efforts, and the undeniable fiscal constraints that must be surmounted in order for these improvements to be realized. Details: Boston: Children's Advocacy Center of Suffolk County, 2012. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2013 at: http://www.suffolkcac.org/assets/pdf/From_the_Life_to_My_Life_Suffolk_Countys_Response_to_CSEC_June_2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.suffolkcac.org/assets/pdf/From_the_Life_to_My_Life_Suffolk_Countys_Response_to_CSEC_June_2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128655 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.S.) |
Author: Asian Centre for Human Rights Title: Nobody’s Children: Juveniles of Conflict Affected Districts of India Summary: In the wake of the gruesome rape of a young woman on 16th December 2012 in Delhi, a heated debate has been raging at national level with respect to lowering the age of juveniles to 16 years. However, there are 184 districts (58 districts notified as “disturbed” under the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and 106 districts declared as Left Wing Extremism affected, the edifice of juvenile justice do not exist. In 140 out of the 184 districts i.e. 76% of the total conflict afflicted districts do not have Observation Homes and Special Homes implying that juveniles who are taken into custody are kept in police lock up or camps of the army and para-military forces in clear violation of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 [JJ(C&PC) Act] and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Juvenile Justice Boards exist only paper as funds are siphoned off. In the meanwhile, arbitrary arrest, detention, torture, extrajudicial executions, and sexual assault on the girls continue unabated. Details: New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights, 2013. 83p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 6, 2013 at: http://www.achrweb.org/reports/india/JJ-Nobodys_Children2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: India URL: http://www.achrweb.org/reports/india/JJ-Nobodys_Children2013.pdf Shelf Number: 128668 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseJuvenile DetentionJuvenile Justice Systems (India) |
Author: War Child Title: An Unwanted Truth? FOCUSING THE G8: Shining a Spotlight on Sexual Violence against Children in Conflict Summary: This report warns that international governments are failing to take seriously the scale of sexual abuse against children in conflict. According to War Child, G8 countries, whose foreign ministers are meeting today in London, have a “once in a lifetime chance” to stop sexual violence against children. According to An Unwanted Truth? millions of children around the world are regularly subjected to sexual abuse: Every day, over 600,000 children around the world are estimated to be raped or suffer sexual violence: more children than live in Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and Sheffield combined. In some war-torn countries, including the Central African Republic, over 50% of children surveyed reported having been victims of sexual abuse or exploitation. Over 51% of cases of sexual violence in the post-election crisis in Côte d’Ivoire were children. Despite this, the report says that international governments, including the G8 of leading nations, have overlooked child victims of abuse and instead focused on sexual violence as a women’s issue and on more visible aspects of humanitarian disasters. The report says it is crucial that G8 foreign ministers meeting in London this week commit to using their international influence and finance to stop this child abuse. Download the report below. Details: London: War Child, 2013. 25p. Source: Internet Resosurce: Accessed May 9, 2013 at: http://cdn.warchild.org.uk/sites/default/files/An-Unwanted-Truth-April-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://cdn.warchild.org.uk/sites/default/files/An-Unwanted-Truth-April-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 128693 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseSexual Violence |
Author: Young-Hauser, Amanda M. Title: Conversing with ‘Monsters’? Narratives about men who sexually abuse(d) children Summary: This research has examined multiperspectival narratives told about and by men who sexually abuse(d) children. Drawing on institutional, public and private narratives, I have explored how men who sexually abuse(d) children are characterised, how meanings about these men are created, and how their reintegrative prospects are understood. The project has encompassed five research elements: historical narratives evident in archival materials; media narratives evident in news articles; public discourse reflected in five focus groups; the accounts of support people of men who sexually abused reflected in one focus group; and the stories of ten men imprisoned for sexually abusing children elicited through pre-release and post-release conversations. These multiple levels of narration have allowed me to look within and across these settings to establish links and to demarcate points of convergence and departure of these diverse narratives. Results have suggested a mismatch between narratives about men who offend(ed) with those evident in the stories of support persons and the men themselves. The latter are anchored in, but contest the former; in particular the narrow representations of these men as inherently evil and not rehabilitatable. Subtle disruptions that question commonly held assumptions about men who sexually abuse(d) children and tell of alternative possibilities are evident in some narratives. My research shows that narratives can accumulate and reinforce assumptions over time and in many respects be discriminatory and exclusionary as well as being liberatory, enveloped in healing and open to change. By locating these men in their social environment and contextualising the crime, I examine the issues of child sex abuse from various angles. This research offers a more inclusive perspective on men who offend(ed) against children that can contribute to broadening public dialogue regarding the characterizations of these men, issues of community reintegration and repairing people’s lives. Details: Hamilton, New Zealand: University of Waikato, 2010. 414p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 15, 2013 at: http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/4450 Year: 2010 Country: New Zealand URL: http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/4450 Shelf Number: 128744 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex OffendersSexual Abuse |
Author: d’Adesky, Anne-Christine Title: Beyond Shock: Charting the landscape of sexual violence in post-quake Haiti: Progress, Challenges & Emerging Trends 2010-2012 Summary: Beyond Shock provides a comprehensive report about the broad and sectorial field progress made by frontline providers of services to sexual violence survivors since Haiti’s historic January 2010 earthquake. The report also looks at the shifting landscape of actors, both established and new, Haitian and foreign, who have raced to respond to the crisis. It highlights groups, individuals, programs, and approaches that are making a difference in the field and captures emergent trends in this landscape. It offers hope for the future while revealing a very difficult situation in the present. A major focus of the report is an examination of access to holistic services for victims. Beyond Shock examines progress in the areas of security, housing, reporting, research, post-quake health care, legal justice, prevention, education, advocacy, and the impact on vulnerable populations, as well as the role of men and boys, and what has been learned about perpetrators. Beyond Shock addresses the big-picture questions many have asked since the flurry of news reports about rape in Haiti in early 2010. How bad is the problem of sexual violence in Haiti and how is it changing? Has the situation improved? How do we measure this progress? The report both confirms and challenges prior findings on gender-based violence (GBV) and rape in Haiti. It reveals that less than 1% of international bank funding has been dedicated to fighting sexual violence, limiting an otherwise robust and expanding effort by grassroots groups and Haiti's government to fight gender-based violence. It reveals specific gender aftershocks, including a post-quake wave of early unwanted pregnancy, and subsequent abortions, in adolescents linked to sexual violence and survival sex – that have been overlooked by the media and relief groups. The report identifies youth and economic vulnerability, along with gender, as the broad risk factors for sexual violence. Specific factors include lack of housing for women-headed households and poor families with adolescent girls, lack of safe housing for GBV victims, rising food insecurity, and a 2012 surge in urban violent crime and gang activity – all reflections of a worsening economic picture that impacts on both genders and is a key engine of sexual violence. The economic situation has been exacerbated by chronic natural disasters, including hurricanes Sandy and Isaac, and a cholera epidemic. Beyond Shock documents how Haitian civil society has coped and led despite herculean obstacles. The report offers a portrait of the rebuilding of Haiti’s feminist movement and profiles grassroots women’s and GBV leaders that provide a range of voices, perspectives, and reflections on the post-quake period. Report Team: Beyond Shock was produced by Haitian and US members of the PotoFanm+Fi coalition, a post-quake advocacy group that champions Haitian women’s voices, leadership, and recovery in Haiti. The report was coordinated and written by veteran journalist and author Anne-christine d’Adesky, who has family roots in Haiti. She was assisted by Haitian journalists and local partners of PotoFanm+Fi. A number of Haitian scholars and professionals in technical sectors provided expert review of the report. Haitian author Edwidge Danticat wrote the foreword to the report. Photographer Nadia Todres contributed a special photo essay about Girls in Haiti’s camps. PotoFi Survey: Beyond Shock builds upon new research on sexual violence and pregnancy in over 2000 Haitian adolescents and families by PotoFanm+Fi’s pilot PotoFi Haiti Girls Initiative (“PotoFi”), a parallel participatory field research project begun in October 2011 with seven main Haitian local partners in the Port-au-Prince and Jacmel zones. Details: Haiti: PotoFanm+Fi, 2012. 228p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 25, 2013 at: http://potofi.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/beyond-shock-abridged-version-haiti-gbv-progress-report-nov-2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Haiti URL: http://potofi.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/beyond-shock-abridged-version-haiti-gbv-progress-report-nov-2012.pdf Shelf Number: 128829 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Violence (Haiti) |
Author: U.S. Attorney General's National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Title: Report of the Attorney General’s National Task Force on Children Exposed to Violence Summary: Exposure to violence is a national crisis that affects approximately two out of every three of our children. Of the 76 million children currently residing in the United States, an estimated 46 million can expect to have their lives touched by violence, crime, abuse, and psychological trauma this year. In 1979, U.S. Surgeon General Julius B. Richmond declared violence a public health crisis of the highest priority, and yet 33 years later that crisis remains. Whether the violence occurs in children’s homes, neighborhoods, schools, playgrounds or playing fields, locker rooms, places of worship, shelters, streets, or in juvenile detention centers, the exposure of children to violence is a uniquely traumatic experience that has the potential to profoundly derail the child’s security, health, happiness, and ability to grow and learn — with effects lasting well into adulthood. Exposure to violence in any form harms children, and different forms of violence have different negative impacts. Sexual abuse places children at high risk for serious and chronic health problems, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, suicidality, eating dis-orders, sleep disorders, substance abuse, and deviant sexual behavior. Sexually abused children often become hypervigilant about the possibility of future sexual violation, experience feelings of betrayal by the adults who failed to care for and protect them. Physical abuse puts children at high risk for lifelong problems with medical illness, PTSD, suicidality, eating disorders, substance abuse, and deviant sexual behavior. Physically abused children are at heightened risk for cognitive and developmental impairments, which can lead to violent behavior as a form of self-protection and control. These children often feel powerless when faced with physical intimidation, threats, or conflict and may compensate by becoming isolated (through truancy or hiding) or aggressive (by bullying or joining gangs for protection). Physically abused children are at risk for significant impairment in memory processing and problem solving and for developing defensive behaviors that lead to consistent avoidance of intimacy. Intimate partner violence within families puts children at high risk for severe and potentially lifelong problems with physical health, mental health, and school and peer relationships as well as for disruptive behavior. Witnessing or living with domestic or intimate partner violence often burdens children with a sense of loss or profound guilt and shame because of their mistaken assumption that they should have intervened or prevented the violence or, tragically, that they caused the violence. They frequently castigate themselves for having failed in what they assume to be their duty to protect a parent or sibling(s) from being harmed, for not having taken the place of their horribly injured or killed family member, or for having caused the offender to be violent. Children exposed to intimate partner violence often experience a sense of terror and dread that they will lose an essential caregiver through permanent injury or death. They also fear losing their relationship with the offending parent, who may be removed from the home, incarcerated, or even executed. Children will mistakenly blame themselves for having caused the batterer to be violent. If no one identifies these children and helps them heal and recover, they may bring this uncertainty, fear, grief, anger, shame, and sense of betrayal into all of their important relationships for the rest of their lives. Community violence in neighborhoods can result in children witnessing assaults and even killings of family members, peers, trusted adults, innocent bystanders, and perpetrators of violence. Violence in the community can prevent children from feeling safe in their own schools and neighborhoods. Violence and ensuing psychological trauma can lead children to adopt an attitude of hypervigilance, to become experts at detecting threat or perceived threat — never able to let down their guard in order to be ready for the next outbreak of violence. They may come to believe that violence is “normal,” that violence is “here to stay,” and that relationships are too fragile to trust because one never knows when violence will take the life of a friend or loved one. They may turn to gangs or criminal activities to prevent others from viewing them as weak and to counteract feelings of despair and powerlessness, perpetuating the cycle of violence and increasing their risk of incarceration. They are also at risk for becoming victims of intimate partner violence in adolescence and in adulthood. Details: Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Justice, 2012. 256p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 3, 2013 at: http://www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood/cev-rpt-full.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.justice.gov/defendingchildhood/cev-rpt-full.pdf Shelf Number: 129237 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChildren and ViolenceChildren, Crime AgainstCommunity ViolenceFamily ViolenceViolenceViolence Against Children (U.S.) |
Author: Victoria (Australia). Department of Justice Title: Review of Sexual Offences: Consultation Paper Summary: Many of Victoria's sexual offence laws are complex, inconsistent and unclear. Nowhere is this problem worse than with the offence of rape. These problems make it extremely difficult, if not impossible, for a judge to explain the law to a jury in a clear and intelligible manner and for the jury to understand and apply the law to the facts in the case. These problems have resulted in numerous appeals, convictions being set aside and retrials being ordered, most notably in Worsnop v The Queen (2010) 28 VR 187 and Getachew v The Queen [2011] VSCA 164. There have been many calls for significant reform of Victoria's rape laws since these decisions. These calls have emanated from the judiciary, lawyers, academics, victim/survivor support groups and the media. The Attorney-General has publicly committed to reforming sexual offence laws and jury directions in order to address the current complexity, inconsistency and uncertainty. Victoria's sexual offence laws are also failing to respond adequately to the problem of persistent sexual abuse of a child. The current approach does not work effectively for child victims/survivors who, because of the repeated and systematic nature of the offending against them, are unable to distinguish between the different instances of abuse. A fresh approach to this problem is needed. While rape laws have been frequently amended in the last 20 years, other sexual offences have not received the same attention. As a consequence, some have become outdated, inconsistent and unclear in their scope, structure and terminology. Other offences fail to recognise that sexual offences can be committed in new ways through advances in technology. This review examines rape and other sexual offences in the Crimes Act 1958, focussing not only on policy issues, but also on the structure and components of each offence. This practical focus is essential for effective reform. Our aim is to make sexual offences as clear, simple, consistent and effective as possible. Simpler and clearer offences will assist judges to direct juries, and juries to understand and apply the law. This will help to reduce successful appeals against conviction for a sexual offence. A better functioning criminal justice system will help to improve the experience of victims/survivors who report a sexual offence to the police. The County Court is Victoria's principal trial court. Almost 50% of all trials that go to verdict in the County Court are sexual offence trials. In 2002/03 only 36% of all trials were sexual offence trials. Over the last 10 years there has been an 81% increase in the number of sexual offence trials. This reflects an increase in the proportion of sexual offence cases as well as an increase in the overall number of trials conducted. Better laws will deliver substantive justice in individual cases and, in combination with other proposed reforms to jury directions, will assist in reducing delay. This paper contains 49 proposals for, and 10 questions about, reform of Victoria's most important sexual offences and procedure. The paper also contains a number of options and questions about possible reforms. The Department of Justice seeks feedback on each of the proposals, options and questions in this paper in order to provide advice to the government on how best to reform sexual offences. Details: Melbourne: Victoria Department of Justice, Criminal Law Review, 2013. 225p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2013 at: https://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/justice/resources/2b77afcd-3c35-4a89-913a-54ced67529c3/reviewofsexualoffencesconsultationpaper2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: https://assets.justice.vic.gov.au/justice/resources/2b77afcd-3c35-4a89-913a-54ced67529c3/reviewofsexualoffencesconsultationpaper2013.pdf Shelf Number: 131509 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseRapeSex OffendersSex Offenses (Australia |
Author: Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation (Pace) Title: Are Parents in the Picture? Professional and parental perspectives of child sexual exploitation Summary: Educating children in secondary school and providing parental support and information are considered the top ways of preventing cases of CSE. Professionals consider a lack of parental knowledge as the main barrier in identifying and preventing cases of CSE with half of professionals (51%) disagreeing that parents have the right information and knowledge they need to safeguard their children from CSE. For a minority of children in England, parents are the individuals that a child needs to be protected from; but for the majority of children their parents are their main safeguarders from risks including sexual exploitation. These survey results are important as parents are currently on the peripheries of statutory safeguarding strategies with often only passing mention to them in recommendations. For children to be protected from sexual exploitation parents need to brought more into the centre of the prevention picture. Working through schools, community groups and local public campaigns, parents with age appropriate children can be effectively and efficiently identified and provided with information that will enable them to safeguard their children. At least 70% of the parents interviewed said they would attend such a briefing at their child's school. Families with children already identified at particular risk could be given extra support and information to assist in safeguarding their child. Parental awareness of child sexual exploitation -- 1. Six out of ten of parents (63%) and professionals (60%) think that society in the UK acknowledges CSE but it should be more openly discussed. 2. Parents continue to focus more on stranger danger than risks from family or friends. 3. Six out of ten parents know 'something' about CSE and would most likely turn first to the police for support and advice. One in ten (13%) admit that they know 'not very much' about the dangers of CSE. Over half of parents (56%) are concerned that cases of CSE may occur in their local area. 4. It appears parents are aware of sexual exploitation but over half (53%) of professionals think that parents do not understand what CSE is. This professional concern is supported by the fact that 40% of parents stated that they would not be confident in recognising the difference between indicators of child sexual exploitation and normal challenging adolescent behaviour. Details: London: YouGov, 2013. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 23, 2013 at: http://www.paceuk.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/YouGovReport-Parents-in-the-Picture-FINAL-for-release-19112013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.paceuk.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/YouGovReport-Parents-in-the-Picture-FINAL-for-release-19112013.pdf Shelf Number: 131663 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.) |
Author: McDonald, Susan Title: Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Assault: Their Experiences Summary: Over the past three decades, the Canadian criminal law on sexual assault and other sexual offences has changed quite significantly through both the courts and parliament. It is now recognized that males, both as children and as adults, can be victims and survivors of sexual abuse and sexual assault. The majority of victims of sexual assault are female and there is a significant body of research from many disciplines examining the criminal and civil justice system responses, impacts, treatment, etc. The body of research on male victims is much more limited likely due to the smaller numbers and challenges recruiting representative samples. This research study examines the experiences of male survivors of both child sexual abuse (CSA) and adult sexual assault (ASA). In Canada, statistics come from police-reported and self-reported data. The police-reported data for 2010 show that males accounted for 12% of sexual assault victims (Levels 1, 2 and 3) (Brennan 2012). In nearly half (47%) of police-reported sexual assaults against male victims in 2008, the accused was someone known to the victim (e.g., friend, acquaintance, or current/former dating partner), but was not a family member. In 2009, the self-reported sexual assault victimization rate for males was half the rate for females (15 vs. 34 per 1,000) (Perrault and Brennan 2010, 22) and it is estimated that the majority of sexual assaults against males and females (88%) are not reported to police (Perreault and Brennan 2010, 14). Researchers worked closely with staff at two men's support centres. Staff provided input on the survey tool, helped recruit participants and provided follow-up counseling to participants if requested. Letters of information and consent were provided to participants. Interviewers conducted a total of 59 semi-structured interviews, each interview lasting on average 45 minutes. The sampling for this research project was purposive and non-random and thus the findings reflect the experiences of the participants and cannot be generalized to all male sexual abuse/assault victims. The findings section is organized by themes including demographics of the sample, supports, effects, coping strategies and suggestions. Details: Ottawa: Department of Justice Canada, 2013. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rr13_8/rr13_8.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Canada URL: http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/cj-jp/victim/rr13_8/rr13_8.pdf Shelf Number: 131850 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse, Male VictimsSexual Assault, Male VictimsSexual Violence, Male Victims |
Author: Rape Crisis Network Ireland Title: The Older Child and Sexual Violence Summary: One in five girls and one in six boys (aged 0-17) experience contact sexual abuse. There is increasing evidence that children from 13 to 17 years of age experience sexual violence in a way that is significantly different to the younger child in terms of nature, context, relationship to abuser and duration of abuse. This was most recently evidenced in the RCNI's Hearing Child Survivors of Sexual Violence report, (Oct., 2013), regarding children attending specialist sexual violence services in Ireland. This report found that the under 13 child was most likely to experience sexual assault in their own home or the abusers, by a male family member over a period of years. However, the child between 13 and 18 years old was most likely to experience rape, by a friend, acquaintance or neighbour, with the violence lasting for hours and taking place in outdoor or location other than the home. These stark differences demand differences in responses and prevention. With statutory responsibility for children dispersed across a wide range of statutory agencies it has become critical to ask if we are confident that the specific needs of the older child are being fully understood and met. This question is not confined to the Irish context a set of recommendations at European level have been developed by stakeholders, including the RCNI, and are included in the recent Youth Sexual Aggression and Victimisation Report of 2013. When we live in a culture highly sensitised to protecting our children from the less-common 'stranger danger' and the older predator, it can leave the child being threatened and abused in other ways, for example, by a peer, isolated and vulnerable. Ireland is gaining a new understanding of these different experiences of sexual victimisation dependent on age and gender of the child. In general, it can be said, Irish child protection infrastructure is a response to the needs of the younger child. It therefore struggles to respond to the different nature and context of abuse of the teenage child. It is imperative to undertake a comprehensive review of Irish child protection infrastructure and services with regards to the older child. Three critical questions to stimulate discussion and engagement are: 1. How well informed are we about the older child's social realities? 2. Is our child protection infrastructure sufficiently joined up to ensure an appropriate response to teenagers who may experience abuse that more commonly reflects adult experiences than the younger child? 3. Does Ireland's child protection response need a specific 13 to 18 year old focused response? Details: Galway: Rape Crisis Network Ireland, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 28, 2014 at: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Older-Child-Policy-Document-FINAL.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Ireland URL: http://www.rcni.ie/wp-content/uploads/Older-Child-Policy-Document-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 132004 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseRapeTeenagers |
Author: Ritter, Amber Title: The Predictive Validity of MACI Derived Clusters for Juvenile Sex Offenders Summary: The Millon Adolescent Clinical Inventory scores from 648 juvenile sex offenders aged 12 - 19 (M = 15.88, SD = 1.43) were examined using cluster analysis in order to replicate five personality-based clusters identified in a previous study (Loper 2008). However, only three of the five clusters were able to be replicated in the population. The current cluster analysis identified the following five clusters: the Anxious/Submissive/Passive cluster, the Disorganized Disturbed cluster, the Dysthymic/Shame-Based/Negative Self-Image cluster, the Narcissistic/Delinquent cluster, and the Situational Offender cluster. Significant differences were observed between the clusters regarding history of sexual abuse, history of physical abuse, history of neglect, history of trauma, mental health treatment, previous and current psychotropic medication, the gender of the victim in the index offense, the victim's age relative to the offender's age in the index offense, and the age of the first victim. Cluster membership was unrelated to the perpetrator's relationship with the victim in the index offense, physical intrusiveness involved in the index offense, use of restraints in the index offense, age of the juvenile sex offender, juvenile sex offender's age at first sexual abuse and physical abuse, and the number of victims. The recidivism data were collected from between 1 to 10.5 years (M = 4.55, SD = 2.77). However, no significant differences were found between the Kaplan-Meier survival curve estimates for non-violent, violent, or sexual re-arrest. Details: Auburn, AL: Auburn University, 2013. 131p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed March 28, 2014 at: http://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/3820/Dissertation%20Final%202013.pdf?sequence=2 Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://etd.auburn.edu/bitstream/handle/10415/3820/Dissertation%20Final%202013.pdf?sequence=2 Shelf Number: 132012 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseJuvenile Sex OffendersRecidivism |
Author: Shuker, Lucie Title: Evaluation of Barnardo's Safe Accommodation Project for Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People Summary: - The Safe Accommodation Project piloted the use of specialist foster placements for young people at risk, or victims, of sexual exploitation and/or trafficking, for the first time in England,as well as providing training to foster carers and associated professionals, and 1-1 support to young people in other care settings. - Warm, trusting relationships are at the heart of creating safe and stable specialist foster placements. These take time to develop but unlock a series of other positive outcomes. - Effective specialist placements are supported by a team around the child which shares a common safeguarding approach and attitude toward a young person's level of risk. - There is clear potential for specialist placements to be cost-effective, particularly where they deter young people from unstable care pathways and being referred to residential care. - Where specialist placements are offered in line with the model developed in the evaluation, sexually exploited and/or trafficked young people can be effectively protected and can continue to go on to recover from abuse. - Specialist placements appear to be meeting a need amongst young people at risk, or victims, of sexual exploitation and/or trafficking. As such it is recommended that this model of specialist foster care should continue to be provided, drawing on the learning generated from the evaluation, in order to ensure that more young people can benefit from such specialist provision. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, Institute of Applied Social Research, 2013. 161p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 19, 2014 at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/305314/Barnardo27s-SA-Project-Evaluation-Full-Report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/305314/Barnardo27s-SA-Project-Evaluation-Full-Report.pdf Shelf Number: 132083 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingHuman Trafficking |
Author: U.S. Government Accountability Office Title: Child Welfare: Federal Agencies Can Better Support State Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Abuse by School Personnel Summary: While all child abuse is troubling, sexual abuse by school personnel raises particular concerns because of the trust placed in schools. Federal laws prohibit sexual harassment, including sexual abuse, in federally-funded education programs and set minimum standards for state laws on reporting suspected child abuse. GAO was asked to review efforts to address child sexual abuse by school personnel. GAO examined: (1) states' and school districts' steps to help prevent such abuse, (2) their reporting requirements and approaches for investigating allegations, and (3) federal agencies' efforts to address such abuse. GAO reviewed relevant federal laws, regulations, and guidance; surveyed state educational agencies in 50 states and the District of Columbia; and visited four states and six of their districts. States were selected based on actions taken in response to past allegations of abuse. GAO interviewed state agencies, school districts, local law enforcement and child protective service agencies, and experts identified through a systematic literature review. GAO recommends that Education collaborate with HHS and Justice to compile and disseminate information to states; identify a way to track the prevalence of sexual abuse; and that Education also clarify and disseminate information on how Title IX applies to personnel-to-student sexual abuse in the K-12 setting. Education and HHS provided technical comments and Education concurred with our recommendations. Justice had no comments. Details: Washington, DC: GAO, 2014. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: GAO-14-42: Accessed April 22, 2014 at: http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/660375.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://www.gao.gov/assets/670/660375.pdf Shelf Number: 132124 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseSchool Crime |
Author: Woodley, Alex Title: Breaking the Silence but Keeping Secrets: What Young People Want to Address Sexual Violence Summary: Teen sexual assault and abuse in New Zealand is a significant problem, with nearly one in five New Zealand teens reporting unwanted sexual touching or being made to do sexual things that they did not want to. Statistically, young people aged 15-24 years are at the highest risk of sexual assault in any age group. HELP (Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation) is a specialist organisation that has been providing sexual abuse support services since 1982. It works with women and children in the Auckland area suffering from the effects of sexual abuse, helping them to regain their lives. Tu Wahine Trust is a Kaupapa Maori organisation providing services to Maori sexual abuse survivors, whanau and families. The research has been commissioned by HELP and the Tu Wahine Trust and is funded by the Lotteries Commission. This report, which is part of an overall research project which aims to identify the needs of young people affected by sexual abuse or assault, aims to investigate the psycho-social service needs of young people who have experienced sexual abuse in order to support improvements to services for sexual abuse victims/survivors. Cultural considerations were particularly important in this project. HELP and Tu Wahine partnered on the research approach, design, and methodology of this project. Whilst HELP focused on identifying the pyscho-social service needs of tauiwi (non-Maori) young people, Tu Wahine focused on the needs of rangatahi Maori (Maori young people). The sister organisations then worked together on the parts of the research process that sought the views of rangatahi Maori who had accessed, or might potentially access, mainstream services. The data collection for this report was undertaken in 2012, and comprised: - A literature review - Interviews with refugee and new migrant stakeholders (including GPs, practice nurses, health workers and youth workers) - Twenty-six focus groups, hui and fono with young people, in which 222 young people participated - Three stakeholder hui (organised by Tu Wahine). - Interviews with 16 service providers and stakeholders Details: Auckland, NZ: Tu Wahine Trust and HELP (Auckland Sexual Abuse HELP Foundation, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 24, 2014 at: http://helpauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Breaking-The-Silence-FINAL-FINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: http://helpauckland.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Breaking-The-Silence-FINAL-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 132162 Keywords: AboriginalsChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual AssaultRapeSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Stathopoulos, Mary Title: Sexual Revictimisation: Individual, interpersonal and contextual factors Summary: There is a complex array of variables related to sexual revictimisation. Although prevalence is difficult to ascertain, several studies relate that people who have been sexually abused as children are two to three times more likely to be sexually revictimised in adolescence and/or adulthood. Much of the literature on sexual revictimisation focuses on the individual risk factors for the victim/survivor - their risk perception and emotional dysregulation resulting from initial sexual victimization - and how these create vulnerability for sexual revictimisation. Broader contextual factors beyond the victim/survivor, however, are often ignored. These contextual factors are explored here with a particular emphasis on minority groups, such as people with a disability; gay, lesbian and bisexual people; and Indigenous people. This focus demonstrates that individual risk factors often do not account for how perpetrators may target vulnerable people who have previously been victimised, how community and organizational attitudes and norms may support sexual revictimisation, and how broader social norms create vulnerability for certain groups. A focus on these broader contextual factors helps to inform prevention strategies. Details: Melbourne: Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, 2014. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Summary: Accessed May 14, 2014 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/acssa_sexualrevictimisationindividualinterpersonalandcontextualfactors_may_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 132347 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseIntimate Partner ViolenceMinority GroupsRapeRepeat Victimization (Australia)Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultSexual Violence |
Author: Child Rights International Network Title: Child Sexual abuse and the Holy See: The Need for Justice, Accountability and Reform. A Preliminary Report Summary: The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is seeking detailed information on sexual violence against children by Catholic clergy around the world, its cover up within the Church and the denial of justice and compensation for victims. The scale of the abuse is huge, affecting countless victims around the world. The Holy See is up for review during the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's (CRC) 65th session on 16 January 2014. In a formal communication with the Holy See in July 2013, the CRC, noting "the recognition by the Holy See of sexual violence against children committed by members of the clergy, brothers and nuns in numerous countries around the world, and given the scale of the abuses...", requested detailed information on all cases of child sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy, brothers and nuns or brought to the attention of the Holy See over the reporting but when the Holy See's response to the UN Committee was issued in December 2013,3 it did not provide the full disclosure sought by the Committee. Despite stating that it considers the Convention on the Rights of the Child as "the most important among the rules of international law", it declined to provide this information, stating that the matter did not fall within its jurisdiction and that it is "not the practice of the Holy See to disclose information on the religious discipline". At the heart of the CRC's review of the Holy See are the issues of transparency, access to justice for children and protection from violence - issues which CRIN believes are crucial to securing children's status as individuals with rights. This preliminary global research report maps the scale of child sexual abuse committed by clerics of the Catholic Church and evidence of cover up attempts by the Vatican and Church authorities. It provides an overview of litigation brought by victims of abuse against Catholic clergy seeking remedies for gross violations of their rights. Our aim is to press the Holy See to become more transparent as a State with human rights obligations, and to open it up to further and effective scrutiny by United Nations bodies. We sincerely hope the report will demonstrate solidarity with victims and help to ensure that their voices are heard and acted on by the United Nations as well as the Holy See itself. Details: London: CRIN, 2014. 47p. Source: Internet Resource: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/VAT/INT_CAT_CSS_VAT_17113_E.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://tbinternet.ohchr.org/Treaties/CAT/Shared%20Documents/VAT/INT_CAT_CSS_VAT_17113_E.pdf Shelf Number: 104114 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild Sexual AbuseSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: Terre des hommes Title: Webcam Child Sex Tourism. Becoming Sweetie: A novel approach to stopping the global rise in Webcam Child Sex Tourism Summary: Rising Internet usage rates and persistent poverty in the developing world have fostered the emergence of a rapidly growing new form of online child sexual exploitation. "Webcam Child Sex Tourism" (WCST) takes place when adults pay or offer other rewards in order to direct and view live streaming video footage of children in another country performing sexual acts in front of a webcam. WCST enables predators to sexually abuse children in other countries with ease and frequency using their Internet-connected personal computers. And despite the fact that WCST is prohibited by international laws and most national criminal codes, the enforcement of those laws has so far been lax. Terre des Hommes Netherlands works to end child exploitation and to assist victims around the world. In recent years, we have been overwhelmed by the surging number of child victims of WCST in the Philippines. The psychological damage that exploitation through WCST has on children is profound and permanent. We recognize that victim assistance alone cannot stop the expansion of such a rapidly growing form of child exploitation. That knowledge motivated us to undertake this study in search of a solution that governments around the world can apply to reduce the global demand for WCST. Key facts: The United Nations and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation estimate that there are 750,000 predators connected to the Internet at any moment. Those predators contribute to a vast global demand for WCST. Moreover, an estimate that tens of thousands of children in the Philippines alone are exploited through WCST, suggests that this form of long-distance child abuse appears to take place with great frequency. However, the alarming fact that only six predators have ever been convicted for engaging in WCST should inspire shame and immediate action by governments around the world. This is a problem that urgently needs the world's attention. Insight: The vast global demand for WCST provides incentives for criminals, impoverished parents, and vulnerable children in developing countries to capitalize on the opportunity to raise their income by increasing the "supply" of children who perform webcam sex shows for money or other rewards. Taking targeted action to reduce the global demand for WCST that is sustained by online predators will effectively reduce the growing number of child victims who constitute the "supply" side of the trade. Our research: What started as research into the WCST trade led us to a viable solution to this global problem. We began the research for this report by gathering information about the nature of the phenomenon of WCST: the physical and online environments in which it takes place, the global trends that have fostered its emergence, and the legal status of WCST in international law and in the national criminal and penal codes of 21 countries. We found that the legal framework prohibiting WCST widely exists, but governments are not adequately enforcing their own child protection laws when the victims are located outside of their borders. Highlighting that point is our finding that only six predators worldwide have been convicted for engaging as customers in WCST. That finding led us to wonder how often WCST actually takes place online. Four Terre des Hommes Netherlands researchers spent 10 weeks posing as prepubertal Filipino girls on 19 public chat rooms. During that short period, a total of 20,172 predators from 71 countries committed crimes by soliciting the researchers, whom the predators believed to be minors, for paid webcam sex performances. But 20,172 crimes in a sample of 19 chat rooms likely reflects only a small fraction of the number of crimes actually taking place every day when we consider the US Federal Bureau of Investigation's estimates that there are 40,000 online chat rooms on which predators lurk. Moreover, WCST takes place on social networking sites, adult webcam sites and online dating sites, in addition to chat rooms. It is likely that WCST takes place tens of thousands of times each day. The finding that WCST is such a common crime on public chat rooms led us to investigate whether law enforcement agencies are not adequately enforcing existing child protection laws because they are unable to identify predators engaging in WCST. We found that identifying predators seeking webcam sexual performances from children can be achieved through the use of a proactive investigation technique. During the 10 weeks spent collecting data, the four Terre des Hommes Netherlands researchers identified 1,000 predators seeking webcam sex performance from children on public chat rooms. They were identified using only information available in public online databases and data provided by predators. No computer hacking or illegal methods were applied. Instead, we just asked predators to provide identifying information under the fictional pretext-a technique known as "social hacking." The following report is the most comprehensive study on WCST undertaken to date. However, the findings of our research, while alarming, only provide a small glimpse into how vast the phenomenon of WCST actually is. While we cannot extrapolate conclusions about the global prevalence of WCST, we do prove that there is a very high incidence of predators seeking WCST on 19 public chat rooms in a 10-week period. Furthermore, based on our analysis of trends in technological developments and other forms of child sexual exploitation, we predict that the WCST trade will continue to grow and spread to other countries if governments around the world do not take immediate action. If action is not taken, we fear that WCST will spiral as far out of control as the online child pornography industry, which is now a multi-billion dollar international trade that law enforcement agencies cannot reign in. Call to action: Currently, law enforcement agencies are hobbled by reactive investigation policies-they investigate crimes against child victims of WCST only after children report the crimes. But, for a number of reasons, children do not report these crimes very often. We call on government agencies in charge of justice to immediately adopt proactive law enforcement policies that empower law enforcement agencies to patrol public online spaces known to be hotspots for WCST and to prosecute predators committing these crimes without waiting for children or parents to report them. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes, 2013. 113p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.terredeshommes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Webcam-child-sex-tourism-terre-des-hommes-NL-nov-2013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.terredeshommes.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Webcam-child-sex-tourism-terre-des-hommes-NL-nov-2013.pdf Shelf Number: 132541 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesSex Tourism |
Author: Terre des hommes Title: Fullscreen on View: An exploratory study on the background and psychosocial consequences of webcam child sex tourism in the Philippines Summary: In recent years Terre des Hommes Netherlands observed the steady rise of a new form of child sexual exploitation. One that is enabled and fuelled by rapid technological advances, increasing global connectivity, persisting poverty rates, and growing disparity in the global distribution of resources. Terre des Hommes Netherlands received alarming signals from collaborating project partners from the Philippines that new commercial child exploitation trades are evolving and spreading parallel to rising global Internet access rates and developments in communications technology. In child prostitution 'hotspots', like Cebu City in the Philippines, various forms of commercial child exploitation shifted from offline to online, making child abuse material more accessible and more anonymously consumable for a larger number of offenders around the world. Terre des Hommes Netherlands' project partners reported a shift in child prostitution from the streets, bars, restaurants and other public places to hidden venues where children are engaged in sexual interactions with foreigners through webcams. Those children are not only exposed to and engaged in activities that are illegal, they also fall under the radars of organizations involved in helping these children. Furthermore, parents become harder to reach because of the in-house nature of the activities. Webcam child sex tourism, as Terre des Hommes Netherlands calls this phenomenon, is proliferating in the Philippines and spreading quickly. Through the internet, adults offer payment or other rewards to view and direct live streaming video footage of children in the Philippines performing sexual acts in front of a webcam. Similar to child sex tourism, adults seek contact with vulnerable children in other countries for sexual purposes and in doing so dodge the law in their own countries. All it takes is a computer, Internet connection and a web camera or mobile phone. The fact that webcam child sex tourism operations are organized and configured in many different locations makes them harder to discover and much more difficult for gathering evidence against perpetrators. Webcam child sex tourism remained undiscovered until 2011 when the Philippines successfully prosecuted its first case against two Swedish nationals and three Filipinos (BBC, 2011). Children involved in webcam child sex tourism generally perform webcam sex shows from their home computers, from Internet cafes, or from what are known as "cybersex dens": buildings in which women and children are kept, often against their will, in windowless dungeon-like settings. In the Philippines, police raids against such dens are increasingly common. 40% of the victims of webcam child sex tourism have family members who either are involved in webcam sex operations themselves, or who are aware of the child's involvement in webcam sex. In areas like Cordova and Taguig, both located in Cebu province, webcam sex operations have become widespread and family members are aware that there is a lot of money to be earned from it. A description of the nature and extent of the phenomenon has to date never been completed. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes, 2013. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.terredeshommes.nl/upload/dossier/download/TdH-Fullscreen_on_View-Webversie_DEF.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Philippines URL: http://www.terredeshommes.nl/upload/dossier/download/TdH-Fullscreen_on_View-Webversie_DEF.pdf Shelf Number: 132543 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Sexual Exploitation of Children in Brazil: Putting a spot on the problem Summary: Sexual exploitation of children in Brazil is a problem which causes inconceivable, physical and psychological traumas to the victims, who are at this very moment largely unknown to politicians and the public. The lack of knowledge of the problem makes it difficult for organizations to help the victims, living in the fringes of society, and to prosecute the child abusers, who are largely grown up men, both locals and foreigners. The invisibility of the problem encouraged child protection organizations Terre des Hommes, Plan, ECPAT and Free a Girl to issue a research on the scope and magnitude of the problem of sexual exploitation in Brazil. No such research had been conducted before and figures in reports and articles on the issue vary, leading to guestimates, quite often contradictory to each other. Sexual exploitation of children however seems to exist throughout the country, there is not a town in Brazil that goes without a case of sexual exploitation of children. The information gathered during this research suggests that we still only have the tip of the iceberg in view. Previous research proves that victims of sexual exploitation develop a negative self-image, leading to shame, fear and self-destructive behaviour, ranging from social isolation, promiscuity to even suicide. Besides, the children are often physically molested, which causes permanent physical damage and sexually transmitted diseases, to the extent of HIV. This downward spiral produces generations of sexually exploited children, not capable to fight and overcome their situations, hence the importance of strengthened efforts by the Brazilian government and NGOs to prevent the sexual exploitation of children and to provide adequate legal, social, medical and psychological support to the victims. The urgency of the problem could increase as this summer's FIFA World Cup may exacerbate the sexual exploitation of children by people who seize the opportunity of being anonymous in a foreign country. Moreover, the construction of infrastructure and the construction of stadiums, hotels and shopping malls in the cities where the World Cup will take place attracts workers from all over Brazil, leading to an increased risk of these construction workers turning to commercial sex with minors, before and during the games. Furthermore, displacement of communities and forced evictions for infrastructure development is commonplace. This leads to broken traditional support systems and eventually to the increased vulnerability of children and their families to, amongst others, become victim of sexual exploitation. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT, 2014. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 26, 2014 at: http://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3096.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Brazil URL: http://www.defenceforchildren.nl/images/13/3096.pdf Shelf Number: 132555 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Kloc, Zuzanna Title: Prostitution-Related Crimes and Child Trafficking in Poland: Report from a case-file study Summary: This report presents conclusions from research on prostitution-related crimes and the crime of trafficking in children for commercial sexual exploitation. English translation is the summary of the full version of the report available in Polish. Child trafficking and exploiting children in prostitution are forms of enslavement and abuse that reduce children to the role of sexual objects having specific commercial value. Official statistics reflect only the cases that have been reported or detected. One of the causes of low detectability of such offences is the fact that commercial sexual exploitation of children is a domain of organized criminal groups that use various coercive measures against their victims. Children are intimidated and they fear ostracism and rejection, both by their family and friends and by the society, because they often have a feeling that they have somehow contributed to their exploitation. Variability of methods used to recruit potential victims makes it difficult to estimate the scale of the problem and to describe the characteristics of victims and perpetrators. The case-file study presented in this report was meant to fill the gaps in our knowledge about exploiting children in prostitution, gaps that have to be filled if we are to develop effective preventive and rehabilitation programmes for victims. The future of a child or young person exploited in prostitution depends significantly on the response of the criminal justice authorities, including the correct legal classification of the acts committed by the perpetrators. The research was also meant to determine whether criminal acts that meet the statutory criteria of human trafficking - as defined in the Polish criminal law and international legislation - are classified as such in the judicial practice. Details: Warsaw: Nobody's Children Foundation, 2012. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: http://www.canee.net/files/Prostitution%20related%20crimes&child_trafficking_NCF-1.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Poland URL: http://www.canee.net/files/Prostitution%20related%20crimes&child_trafficking_NCF-1.pdf Shelf Number: 125776 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Gilligan, Robbie Title: Learning from Children Exposed to Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation: Synthesis Report of the Bamboo Project Study on Child Resilience Summary: The Bamboo study was inspired by an interest in exploring the value and relevance of the concept of resilience for understanding children's experience and prospects when faced with the reality or possibility of sexual abuse or exploitation. The study set out to answer the question 'What may be learned from the life experience of children, adults, families and communities and programme practice that contributes to an understanding of resilience in the prevention of and recovery from child sexual abuse and exploitation?'. Following an intensive process of consultation and discussion, the question became the guiding question for the overall project convened and sponsored by Oak Foundation and conducted in three countries - Bulgaria, Ethiopia and Nepal. This report provides a synthesis of the main findings from the overall project based on the three country reports. The term resilience has acquired wide currency in the children's services field in recent years. While it commands a lot of interest, a universal definition remains elusive. While there are some attempts to quantify resilience, most discussion still treats it in a qualitative sense. Rather like beauty, resilience may be said to lie in the eye of the beholder. Even this suggestion, however, is itself potentially controversial since many might assume or assert that resilience resides, where relevant, in the person or grouping being observed. This issue of definitions and understanding remained very live throughout the whole lifetime of this study, from initial scoping work and debates around design, right through to detailed planning and fieldwork activity for the in-country studies. Initial attempts to achieve a singular and precise common definition of resilience (in relation to children and young people) were wisely abandoned after much discussion as the challenges of that effort became clear. It proved possible to proceed on the basis of a 'spacious' understanding of the concept of resilience in relation to children. This saw resilience as a child's capacity to resist and do well in challenging circumstances by drawing on sometimes hidden strengths and resources. The study sought to inquire whether indeed such strengths and resources were present (or could be observed) in the lives of the sample of children to be studied and whether they played a protective and supportive role that was meaningful in influencing the child's prospects. Gradually, over the course of the project, it became clear that the study had to have a wider focus than resilience in the face of sexual abuse/exploitation alone. The wider context of the lives of the children and young people in the study asserted itself very forcefully. It was neither feasible nor desirable to ignore the complexity of this wider backdrop and its influence. The study came to have three dimensions: the children's experience of, or exposure to, sexual abuse and exploitation; the wider social conditions of the children's lives; and the research project's interest in the theme of resilience and its possible relevance in the lives of the children. 'Resilience' thinking influenced the study in terms of the kind of questions and data that were of interest. In planning the project, an important focus was to be on the resources and supports that children found in their lives. Resilience was to be less an explicit topic of conversation with children in research interviews (in which they could be asked questions using the term), and more a lens through which to reflect on data when it arrived back on the desks of the local research teams and eventually reached the members of the Project's International Steering Committee in the form of draft country reports. In practice, this nuanced distinction was hard to maintain, and it is clear that at least some local research team members remained very committed to paying explicit attention to the concept of resilience in discussions with some research participants. Details: Geneva, SWIT: Oak Foundation, 2014. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 7, 2014 at: http://www.oakfnd.org/sites/default/files/Learning%20from%20Children%20Exposed%20to%20Sexual%20Abuse%20and%20Sexual%20Exploitation%20Synthesis%20Report%20of%20the%20Bamboo%20Project%20Study%20on%20Child%20Resilience.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.oakfnd.org/sites/default/files/Learning%20from%20Children%20Exposed%20to%20Sexual%20Abuse%20and%20Sexual%20Exploitation%20Synthesis%20Report%20of%20the%20Bamboo%20Project%20Study%20on%20Child%20Resilience.pdf Shelf Number: 132632 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Ronken, Carol Title: Child Sexual Assault: Facts and Statistics Summary: Determining a definitive estimate of the prevalence of child sexual assault in our society is difficult. Available figures are rare. Goldman and Padayachi (1997) suggest that aside from anecdotal evidence from fragmented sources there are no National, or State data available on child sexual assault in Australia. However, research over the past decade have provided us with an indication of the prevalence and effects of child sexual assault. This document contains statistics and facts on child sexual assault that have been compiled by Bravehearts. Every effort has been made to ensure complete references have been provided. Details: Arundel, QLD: Bravehearts, 2012. 65p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2014 at: http://www.bravehearts.org.au/files/Facts%20and%20Stats_updated141212.pdf Year: 2012 Country: Australia URL: http://www.bravehearts.org.au/files/Facts%20and%20Stats_updated141212.pdf Shelf Number: 132654 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Zurita, Brenda Title: Children in Prostitution: What to Do? Summary: Most people can agree that children caught up in the commercial sex industry need help. How to help those children trapped in the sex industry - and even knowing how many child victims are involved - is often the point at which radically differing opinions enter the conversation. In the past four years, several states - Illinois, Tennessee, Vermont and Connecticut - have passed legislation, commonly called Safe Harbor laws, to decriminalize prostitution for minors. New York and Washington State have laws that divert minors arrested for prostitution into services and rehabilitation programs at the discretion of the judge in New York and at the discretion of the prosecutor in Washington. Massachusetts has the best model for legislation in HB 3808, signed into law in November 2011. In Massachusetts, the law diverts minors found in prostitution into services and treatment but keeps the charges pending against them in place until they successfully complete the rehabilitation programs after which the charges are dropped. Those who push legislation that decriminalizes prostitution for minors contend that arresting these minors further traumatizes them. Proponents of decriminalization want to remove the possibility of arrest. They argue that what the children need are services directed towards restoring their dignity and rehabilitating them out of a life of selling sex. They want this accomplished outside the juvenile justice system. Others strenuously argue that removing the discretion of law enforcement, district attorneys, and judges from the process takes away one of the most effective means of rescuing children; they say that taking law enforcement out of the picture is not the answer. These children's advocates argue that a comprehensive approach is necessary and accomplished by leaving every available option on the table to help these children, including arrest and detention to ensure the evaluation and handling of their situations on a case-by-case basis. Those who advocate the decriminalization of prostitution for minors claim that thousands of minors are arrested every year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Uniform Crime Report shows though that less than two percent of all arrests for prostitution are minors, averaging 1,117 a year. The Human Trafficking Reporting System identified 248 minors 17 years old and younger as victims of sex trafficking during the January 2008-June 2010 reporting period. According to the FBI's Innocence Lost National Initiative, as of April 2011, more than 1,600 children have been rescued since 2003. So how many children are victims of sex trafficking in the United States? It depends on who you ask. There are estimates, all based on guesses, that range from 100,000 to 2.4 million children. The United States Department of Justice uses the number 293,000 as the estimate for youth "at risk" of being commercially sexually exploited. The only hard data available are from the government sources listed above. It is very difficult to make good policy relying on estimates based on questionable methodologies. In 2006, the Government Accounting Office said, "The U.S. government has not yet established an effective mechanism for estimating the number of victims or for conducting ongoing analysis of trafficking related data that resides within government entities." With states moving in the direction of decriminalizing prostitution for minors, are there sufficient shelters to house the minors? According to a 2007 study done for the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, there were only four residential facilities in the United States, with thirty-five beds between them. The Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Acts of 2005 and 2008 authorized funding for shelters for minors, but the money has never been appropriated. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of commercial sexual exploitation of children. Arresting minors in prostitution and sex trafficking, but not making counseling and support services available to them, will leave them without help to create a better future. Decriminalizing prostitution for minors will leave them at the mercy of pimps and johns and without the judicial system to advocate for their treatment and rehabilitation. The collaborative program in Oakland, California, run by the Alameda County District Attorney's office shows that, with proper training, law enforcement can be compassionate, understanding, and provide resources to help; the District Attorney's office can use its discretion as to which cases to charge and which to send to support services outside of the juvenile detention system; and the juvenile detention system can provide counseling and support services for the minors in it. Concerned Women for America (CWA) believes keeping all the tools in place to assist minors found in prostitution and holding the government accountable to fulfill the TVPRA mandates to fund shelters for minors and find out how many minors are involved in prostitution are important steps for eradicating the commercial sexual exploitation of minors. Details: Washington, DC: Concerned Women for America, 2012. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 11, 2014 at: http://www.cwfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CWA_Decriminalization-of-Prostitution-for-Minors2012.pdf Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://www.cwfa.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/CWA_Decriminalization-of-Prostitution-for-Minors2012.pdf Shelf Number: 132655 Keywords: Child Prostitution (U.S.)Child Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Plummer, Carol Title: Using Policies to Promote Child Sexual Abuse Prevention: What is Working? Summary: Taxi drivers in some coastal African cities have been trained in child sex tourism and become part of the prevention network by not connecting tourists with children forced into sex work (cab driver, personal communication, 2008). Similarly, in many countries, large hotel chains and tourist destinations have posted notices that they do not tolerate child sexual exploitation (personal observation and T. Omwenga, personal communication, Kenya, July, 2008,) or have posters greeting tourists at their airports with similar messages (personal observation, Ghana, 2012). Some of these posters explicitly state that employees will not tolerate or accommodate exploitive behavior and will contact police if they suspect it. All of these activities are examples of policy in practice. The general public may understand policy as laws or rules made at a state or national level, instituted by legislation. In practice, policy is much broader than this and includes both formal and informal actions and processes that guide prevention and response. A formal policy is a course of action outlined in writing that guides institutional efforts and management of resources. Formal policies often include pieces of legislation, ordinances, and public rules and regulations. The ways in which formal policies get implemented heavily depend on individuals, communities, and systems. What individuals and organizations actually do, or fail to do, to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse constitutes informal policy. Many policy advocates understand that working to create or improve policy is a two-way street. Policy may be intended to influence the actions of individuals, but individuals also have the ability to influence, adapt, and inspire changes in policy. Even policies like the ones in African business communities described above have their challenges. Innovative policies often prompt a change in tactics for people who sexually offend. In this case, people traveling to commit child sexual exploitation used large bribes to low-income taxi drivers, convincing them to provide information and transportation (C. Maternowski, personal communication, 2012). Similarly, as larger hotels participated in anti-exploitation campaigns, much illegal business has shifted to smaller hotels, necessitating new strategies in policy development. As conditions change, sometimes as a result of good policy work, re-evaluation and design of new tactics is necessary. Every day, policy advocates are working to mandate the implementation of prevention programming as well as institutionalize the prevention of child sexual abuse. This Applied Research paper looks at policies specific to child sexual abuse prevention. A person perpetrates child sexual abuse when he or she exposes a child to sexual acts or behavior (National Sexual Violence Resource Center [NSVRC], 2011). Child sexual abuse may include sexual acts that involve penetration, touching the child's breasts or genitals, making a child touch the perpetrator's breasts or genitals, voyeurism, or commercial sexual exploitation (Finkelhor, Hammer, & Sedlak, 2008). These acts can be performed by adults or by other children. It is important to remember that formal policy definitions of child sexual abuse vary between states. Criminal legal definitions may also vary from those used in child protective services. The field of public health identifies three levels of prevention: primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary prevention of child sexual abuse addresses actions, behaviors and norms before the abuse is ever perpetrated. Secondary and tertiary prevention efforts address issues and responses after abuse has been perpetrated. These reactive efforts promote safety and healthy outcomes for the individuals and communities affected by child sexual abuse and prevent abuse from occurring again in the future. All three types of prevention are equally important and comprehensive child sexual abuse prevention strategies work to address the issue at each level. Policies designed to prevent child sexual abuse can promote or influence all three. Many existing policy efforts address the secondary and tertiary levels of prevention. Our review will focus on available research on existing policies and evidence of effectiveness. We will briefly discuss international policy efforts to prevent child sexual abuse, but particularly focus on reviewing efforts in the United States. We also make recommendations for future policy advocacy work, including ways to expand policy to include primary prevention. Details: Harrisburg, PA: VAWnet, a project of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 2013. 21p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 16, 2014 at: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/AR_CSAPolicies.pdf Shelf Number: 132685 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Aubert, Veronique Title: Unspeakable Crimes Against Children: Sexual Violence in Conflict Summary: The prevalence of rape, sexual exploitation and sexual violence against children in conflict is shocking. In some contexts more than 80% of those affected are children. This report addresses key questions to understanding sexual violence against children in conflict: What's the scale of the problem? Who suffers? Where does it happen? Who are the perpetrators? Why does it happen? What's the impact on children? The report looks at how we can protect children in these situations and identifies gaps in funding. It makes recommendations to G8 countries to tackle these horrific crimes against children. Details: London: Save the Children, 2013. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 21, 2014 at: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/resources/online-library/unspeakable-crimes-against-children Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/resources/online-library/unspeakable-crimes-against-children Shelf Number: 132726 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstConflict Related ViolenceRapeSexual Violence |
Author: Henderson, Emily Title: Expert Witnesses Under Examination in the New Zealand Criminal and Family Courts Summary: This is a qualitative empirical research project examining the experiences of experts who testify in both the criminal and Family Courts in New Zealand regarding child abuse and neglect and sexual assault generally. The study considers whether there is truth in the anecdotal accounts of widespread reluctance amongst experts and it also examines lawyers' and judges' suspicions of bias amongst experts. It considers the areas of the court process which experts find most difficult and proposes a number of solutions. The study group was limited to experts in the field of child abuse and neglect and of sexual assault generally. However, we believe that our findings will be relevant to other areas of expert evidence. This report is divided into three parts: the remainder of this chapter summarises the literature on expert witnesses to date, describing, first, the problems various researchers and commentators have found with expert evidence and, second, outlining the main reform proposals those same writers have put forward. This is not a discussion of the law pertaining to expert evidence, as many legal analyses already exist. The second section contains the empirical part of this project: Chapter Two sets out the project's methodology; Chapter Three describes the findings of the interviews with expert witnesses; Chapter Four describes the smaller companion study of lawyers' opinions. The final chapter recaps the findings of the previous chapters and sets out a number of recommendations for reform. Details: Auckland, NZ: School of Psychology, University of Auckland and New Zealand Law Foundation, 2013. 169p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 4, 2014 at: http://www.lawfoundation.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Final-Research-Report-Henderson-Seymour-Expert-Witnesses-Under-Examination.pdf Year: 2013 Country: New Zealand URL: http://www.lawfoundation.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Final-Research-Report-Henderson-Seymour-Expert-Witnesses-Under-Examination.pdf Shelf Number: 132874 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCriminal CourtsExpert Witnesses (New Zealand)Family CourtsSex CrimesSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Nicholls, Carol McNaughton Title: Research on the sexual exploitation of boys and young men: A UK scoping study summary of findings Summary: Despite growing interest in the UK and internationally in child sexual exploitation (CSE), policy-makers, practitioners, researchers and the media have tended to focus primarily on female victims. Consequently, the sexual exploitation of young males has been largely overlooked: remarkably little is known about this group, their experiences, vulnerabilities or support needs. The purpose of this document is to provide a brief synthesis of key findings from recent exploratory research on the sexual exploitation of young males in the UK. This multi-method study incorporated three complementary strands, together addressing four overarching research objectives: 1. To identify characteristics of known and suspected CSE cases involving male victims and to compare these, where possible, with those of cases involving female victims 2. To explore professionals' views on perpetration and victimisation processes in cases of male-victim CSE 3. To assess male victims' perceived support needs and the nature of existing service provision 4. To help inform future research, policy and practice. While this research represents an important contribution to the limited knowledge base on male-victim CSE, it remains an early exploration of a complex issue. Consequently, the recommendations made are necessarily tentative. These suggestions relate primarily to: n ways in which practitioners might better identify and respond to male CSE victims n future research priorities and how these might be addressed. Details: Barkingside, Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 2, 2014 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cse_young_boys_summary_report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cse_young_boys_summary_report.pdf Shelf Number: 133166 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Male ProstitutionMale Sexual ExploitationMale Victims |
Author: Cockbain, Ella Title: Not just a girl thing: A large-scale comparison of male and female users of child sexual exploitation services in the UK Summary: This report covers the findings from one part of a wider collaborative research programme called "Sexual exploitation of boys and young men: A UK scoping study". This exploratory research was funded by the Nuffield Foundation and conducted by UCL (University College London), the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and Barnardo's. The programme had three complementary components: - A rapid evidence assessment of the international knowledge base on sexual abuse (including exploitation) of boys and young men (Brayley et al, 2014) - A large-scale comparative analysis of male and female child sexual exploitation (CSE) service users (the current report) - In-depth interviews with UK practitioners about their experiences and perceptions of the sexual exploitation of boys and young men (McNaughton Nicholls et al, 2014). In conducting the comparative analysis, our particular aims were: - to assess systematically the commonalities and differences between the characteristics of male and female CSE service users and, in doing so, - to inform future research, policy and practice. Given the general lack of prior research on this topic, we designed the research questions to be broad-based and inclusive. The two interlinked research questions were: 1. What are the characteristics of cases of male CSE service users? 2. How do these compare with the characteristics of cases of female CSE service users? Although gender is a broader construct than a male versus female dichotomy, data limitations meant we were unable to extend the study to incorporate transgender children. The term "characteristics of [CSE] cases" was deliberately broad and designed to capture various attributes related to individual children, exploitation process and official responses. We deliberately use the term "service users" rather than "victims" because the sample featured a diverse set of children supported by Barnardo's due to their involvement in CSE or risk of such involvement. "Involvement" is a broad term that covers high risk of victimisation, actual victimisation and perpetration processes (e.g. peer-on-peer exploitation). A key limitation of the study data was that it was not possible to establish to which of these categories a given child belonged, nor to assess the proportion of the overall sample who were at risk versus already involved (let alone whether they were involved/at risk of involvement in victimisation and/or perpetration processes). Consequently, the common factor uniting all members of the sample is that all can be described as "children affected by CSE" an inclusive term that is used elsewhere in this report. Details: Barkingside, Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2014. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 2, 2014 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/16136_not_just_a_girl_thing_v6.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/16136_not_just_a_girl_thing_v6.pdf Shelf Number: 133167 Keywords: Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation (U.K.) Child Sexual Victimization Male Prostitution Male Sexual Exploitation Male Victims |
Author: Boxall, Hayley Title: Historical review of sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia: 1788-2013 Summary: The report provides an overview of the socio-political factors and events that have influenced the development of Australia's child sexual abuse legislation from 1788-2013. Key developments in relevant legislation during this period which are discussed in detail in the report include: the decriminalisation of homosexual acts between consenting males the removal of gendered language from legislation to enable the law to deal with matters involving male victims, female offenders and same sex offences broadening the definition of sexual intercourse introduction of specific legislation relating to child pornography introduction of mandatory reporting laws. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2014. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Special Report: Accessed September 4, 2014 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/007/Historical-review-sexual-offence-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/007/Historical-review-sexual-offence-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Shelf Number: 133178 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseCriminal Law ReformSex OffendersSexual Violence |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: Hidden in Plain Sight: A statistical analysis of violence against children Summary: Interpersonal violence - in all its forms - has a grave effect on children: Violence undermines children's future potential; damages their physical, psychological and emotional well-being; and in many cases, ends their lives. The report sheds light on the prevalence of different forms of violence against children, with global figures and data from 190 countries. Where relevant, data are disaggregated by age and sex, to provide insights into risk and protective factors Details: New York: UNICEF, 2014. 206p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 9, 2014 at: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_74865.html Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef.org/publications/index_74865.html Shelf Number: 133249 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild HomicideChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseEmotional AbuseFamily ViolenceViolence Against Children |
Author: Watchlist on Children and Armed Conflict Title: "Who Will Care for Us?" - Grave Violations against Children in Northeastern Nigeria Summary: Conflict between the armed group Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad (JAS), commonly known as Boko Haram, Nigerian security forces, and civilian self-defense militias, is ravaging Nigeria's fragile northeast. Over the last few years the level of violence and the scale of violations against children have worsened. While the abduction of over 200 girls from Chibok in Borno State has shed some light on these atrocities, much of the impact of the conflict on children is not well understood or addressed. Following a six-week research mission between March and May 2014, Watchlist found that parties to the conflict have subjected boys and girls to forced recruitment, attacks on their schools, killing and maiming, abductions, rape and sexual violence, and arbitrary detention. The humanitarian response has been slow, fragmented, and unable to meet the fast-growing needs of those affected by the conflict. The government of Nigeria, in collaboration with humanitarian, United Nations, and non-governmental actors, needs to take steps to strengthen data collection and programming to support children affected by conflict, to adopt operating procedures to manage children encountered in armed groups, and to expand and implement strategies to promote school safety and security. Details: New York: Watchlist for Children and Armed Conflict, 2014. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 10, 2014 at: http://watchlist.org/who-will-care-for-us-grave-violations-against-children-in-northeastern-nigeria/ Year: 2014 Country: Nigeria URL: http://watchlist.org/who-will-care-for-us-grave-violations-against-children-in-northeastern-nigeria/ Shelf Number: 133261 Keywords: Child KidnappingChild Sexual AbuseChildren, Crimes AgainstConflict ViolenceHuman Rights AbusesViolence Against Children |
Author: Jay, Alexis Title: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham (1997 - 2013) Summary: No one knows the true scale of child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Rotherham over the years. Our conservative estimate is that approximately 1400 children were sexually exploited over the full Inquiry period, from 1997 to 2013. In just over a third of cases, children affected by sexual exploitation were previously known to services because of child protection and neglect. It is hard to describe the appalling nature of the abuse that child victims suffered. They were raped by multiple perpetrators, trafficked to other towns and cities in the north of England, abducted, beaten, and intimidated. There were examples of children who had been doused in petrol and threatened with being set alight, threatened with guns, made to witness brutally violent rapes and threatened they would be next if they told anyone. Girls as young as 11 were raped by large numbers of male perpetrators. This abuse is not confined to the past but continues to this day. In May 2014, the caseload of the specialist child sexual exploitation team was 51. More CSE cases were held by other children's social care teams. There were 16 looked after children who were identified by children's social care as being at serious risk of sexual exploitation or having been sexually exploited. In 2013, the Police received 157 reports concerning child sexual exploitation in the Borough. Over the first twelve years covered by this Inquiry, the collective failures of political and officer leadership were blatant. From the beginning, there was growing evidence that child sexual exploitation was a serious problem in Rotherham. This came from those working in residential care and from youth workers who knew the young people well. Within social care, the scale and seriousness of the problem was underplayed by senior managers. At an operational level, the Police gave no priority to CSE, regarding many child victims with contempt and failing to act on their abuse as a crime. Further stark evidence came in 2002, 2003 and 2006 with three reports known to the Police and the Council, which could not have been clearer in their description of the situation in Rotherham. The first of these reports was effectively suppressed because some senior officers disbelieved the data it contained. This had led to suggestions of cover-up. The other two reports set out the links between child sexual exploitation and drugs, guns and criminality in the Borough. These reports were ignored and no action was taken to deal with the issues that were identified in them. In the early 2000s, a small group of professionals from key agencies met and monitored large numbers of children known to be involved in CSE or at risk but their managers gave little help or support to their efforts. Some at a senior level in the Police and children's social care continued to think the extent of the problem, as described by youth workers, was exaggerated, and seemed intent on reducing the official numbers of children categorised as CSE. At an operational level, staff appeared to be overwhelmed by the numbers involved. There were improvements in the response of management from about 2007 onwards. By 2009, the children's social care service was acutely understaffed and over stretched, struggling to cope with demand. Seminars for elected members and senior officers in 2004-05 presented the abuse in the most explicit terms. After these events, nobody could say 'we didn't know'. In 2005, the present Council Leader chaired a group to take forward the issues, but there is no record of its meetings or conclusions, apart from one minute. By far the majority of perpetrators were described as 'Asian' by victims, yet throughout the entire period, councillors did not engage directly with the Pakistani-heritage community to discuss how best they could jointly address the issue. Some councillors seemed to think it was a one-off problem, which they hoped would go away. Several staff described their nervousness about identifying the ethnic origins of perpetrators for fear of being thought racist; others remembered clear direction from their managers not to do so. In December 2009, the Minister of State for Children and Families put the Council's children's safeguarding services into intervention, following an extremely critical Ofsted report. The Council was removed from intervention thirteen months later. The Rotherham Safeguarding Children Board and its predecessor oversaw the development of good inter-agency policies and procedures applicable to CSE. The weakness in their approach was that members of the Safeguarding Board rarely checked whether these were being implemented or whether they were working. The challenge and scrutiny function of the Safeguarding Board and of the Council itself was lacking over several years at a time when it was most required. In 2013, the Council Leader, who has held office since 2003, apologised for the quality of the Council's safeguarding services being less than it should have been before 2009. This apology should have been made years earlier, and the issue given the political leadership it needed. There have been many improvements in the last four years by both the Council and the Police. The Police are now well resourced for CSE and well trained, though prosecutions remain low in number. There is a central team in children's social care which works jointly with the Police and deals with child sexual exploitation. This works well but the team struggles to keep pace with the demands of its workload. The Council is facing particular challenges in dealing with increased financial pressures, which inevitably impact on frontline services. The Safeguarding Board has improved its response to child sexual exploitation and holds agencies to account with better systems for file audits and performance reporting. There are still matters for children's social care to address such as good risk assessment, which is absent from too many cases, and there is not enough long-term support for the child victims. Details: Rotherham, UK: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, 2014. 159p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 11, 2014 at: http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.rotherham.gov.uk/downloads/file/1407/independent_inquiry_cse_in_rotherham Shelf Number: 133285 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Rotherham, UK)Child TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: Hughes, Karissa Title: Literature Review: Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Summary: - While various promising program models and strategies for providing services to victims of the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) have been occurring for over a decade, the lack of a current evidence-base related to prevention, identification and interventions available to inform such programs and practices underscores the need for additional work in this area. - Currently, federal (Federal Strategic Action Plan on Services for Victims of Human Trafficking, 2013-2017) and state (the California Child Welfare Council CSEC Action Team) efforts are underway to strategically respond to the existing gaps in knowledge and practice around CSEC, in order to better identify and meet the needs of victims. - In the meantime, while not exhaustive this literature review intends to highlight an array of current efforts and components that merit additional attention when considering residential placement types and the provision of services to this vulnerable population. - The perception that victims of CSEC should be handled in the juvenile justice system as opposed to the child welfare system is changing with evidence supporting the key role child welfare agencies play. Even if child welfare agencies are not currently required to intervene with CSEC victims under the existing California Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) Section 300, the reality is CWS staff are already working with a significant number of victims and survivors of these crimes, whether or not they recognize them as such. Thus two roles emerge, preventing CSEC among populations already involved in child welfare, and identifying/assisting CSEC victims in their care. - Understanding the extreme physical, psychological, emotional and social harms associated with CSEC and the stages of change youth experience as they attempt to exit CSE informs the need for a range of victim services across a number of agencies and a continuum of care model to fully address their spectrum of needs. Therefore broad-based multi-sector response including interagency collaborative approaches/community coalitions should be utilized. - Coordinated communication between service providers is necessary in order to share information on available resources, services and trends which will allow involved systems/agencies/service providers to more efficiently and effectively provide the services needed at any given point in the restoration process. - Based on the literature more support is needed for comprehensive and specialized programs that provide youth with a safe place to stay, positive support networks that address their needs and empower them to make safe choices; and interventions for trauma and behavioral issues that make it difficult for them to function in traditional settings. - Components of promising services and strategies identified by providers who serve CSEC victims include safety planning, collaboration across providers, trust and relationship building to foster consistency, culturally appropriate services, trauma-informed programming, and survivor involvement in the development and implementation of programming. Services for CSEC victims and those at-risk should also be informed by a comprehensive and standardized screening assessment that evaluates particular needs and levels of risk. - In terms of shelter/housing additional residential placements are needed to specifically serve CSEC with appropriate security features to prevent access by exploiters, clear protocols, allowance to return following runaways, and qualified personnel. - Several promising models for better understanding and serving CSEC victims via the child welfare system are shared across the nation. Such policies and procedures may provide beneficial for California, particularly to integrate this population into their missions and mandates. Broadly, the main areas include: designating CSEC as a specific form of child abuse to improve case management, requiring reporting to child protective services, raising awareness and building capacity in child welfare, and developing child welfare system guidelines, protocols and tools for working with CSEC victims. - Additionally in May 2013, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families (ACF) released as part of their Human Trafficking Briefing Series Emerging Practices within Child Welfare Responses, highlighting 10 promising practices already underway in child welfare agencies across the United States. This is included in Section X of the literature review. - In addition to the work of child welfare, law enforcement, and other governmental organizations, several nongovernmental and community-based organizations play a key role in providing direct services to victims. These include the 10 programs identified by the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse (CEBC) for Child Welfare in the area of "Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents: Services for Victims." While some of these may offer promise for replication locally, at this point none of these ten programs have been given a scientific rating by the CEBC, meaning currently there are not sufficiently published, peer-reviewed research evidence examining outcomes for these programs. - Recently there has been an emphasis on the importance of expanding outreach to the at-risk population so they can better protect themselves from CSEC and recognize risky situations. Disseminating educational materials and providing training programs to these youth as well as to CSEC victims and service providers will increase awareness of CSEC and the services available to victims. Examples of existing CSEC training and prevention programs are provided in Section XII. - In conclusion a range of web resources, resource guides, action plans, publications and reports on the topic are offered for additional information and further developments on the topic of CSEC. Details: San Diego, CA: Academy for Professional Excellence at San Diego State University School of Social Work, 2014. 112p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2014 at: https://theacademy.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sachs-csec-lit-review-02-2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://theacademy.sdsu.edu/programs/SACHS/literature/SACHS_CSEC_Lit_%2https://theacademy.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/sachs-csec-lit-review-02-2014.pdf Shelf Number: 133302 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareVictim Services |
Author: Boxall, Hayley Title: Brief review of contemporary sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia Summary: The following report provides a brief overview of the offences that an individual who sexually abuses a child in an institutional setting may be charged with at the end of 2013. Information provided for each of the identified offences includes: the location of the offence in the respective state or territory's legislation; the age of the victim (where relevant); - aggravating factors - for the purpose of this review, restricted to factors relating to: the age of the child; - the relationship between the offender and victim; and - whether the victim has an intellectual impairment, physical disability or mental illness; the maximum penalty. The offences included in this review have been divided into a six sections: contact sexual offences where the child is below the legal age of consent (16, 17 or 18 years old depending on the jurisdiction and nature of the sexual act); contact sexual offences where the child is above the legal age of consent; contact sexual offences where the age of the victim is not specified; non-contact sexual offences; child pornography offences (production); and offences for which institutions and/or their representatives that were aware of child sexual abuse may be charged. Only offences relating to individuals located within Australia are included in this review. Further, while there are other defences that may be used to refute charges brought under sexual offence or child sexual abuse legislation (for example, honest and reasonable belief that a person was over a certain age and similarity in age between the victim and offender), the only defence that is considered in this report is consent. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2014. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Special Report: Accessed September 15, 2014 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/006/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/006/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation.pdf Shelf Number: 133327 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Criminal Defense Criminal Law Reform Sex Offenders Sexual Violence |
Author: Watson, Lanette Title: An Analysis of Child Kidnapping in Iowa Summary: Background In July 2012 the Iowa Legislative Council requested the Public Safety Advisory Board (PSAB) provide recommendations to the General Assembly relating to crimes against children. This request came in response to the high profile kidnapping of two girls and subsequent murder of one by Michael Klunder. The PSAB directed the Iowa Department of Human Rights, Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning (CJJP) to provide an analysis of child kidnapping and review of the effectiveness of Iowa kidnapping law. Iowa Child Kidnapping Cases Disposed Calendar Years 2002-2012 Over the last ten years, Iowa has had very few felony level child kidnappings (n=17). The data show all cases involved a male offender (n=17) and nearly always a female victim (n=16). The greatest proportion of victims was between the ages of 13-16 years (35.3%). The largest number of kidnappings was committed by acquaintances (n=7) with equal numbers of child kidnappings committed by family members (n=5) and strangers (n=5). Very few children were physically injured (n=2) however; most were sexually assaulted (n=13). Most offenders (n=14) had at least one prior charge for a violent offense but only four had a prior sex offense conviction. Analysis of the Justice System in the Michael Klunder Case After thorough review of this case, it is evident that efforts were made by the sentencing Judge and the Board of Parole to incapacitate Offender Klunder for the longest period of time permitted by statute. The Judge in the first and second Klunder kidnapping cases ordered his sentences to be served consecutively in order to maximize incapacitation and the Board of Parole delayed work release until a few months before the expiration of his sentence. Klunder did not meet the criteria for civil commitment as a sexually violent predator. Upon release he was placed on the Iowa Sex Offender Registry for ten years as a Tier II offender and was subject to bi-annual reviews to verify relevant information (e.g., residency, employment). It is evident that Klunders release was due not to lax parole policies, but rather the provisions in the Criminal Code pertaining to the accrual of earned time while an offender is incarcerated. On July 29, 2013, the Iowa Legislative Council made a request to the Public Safety Advisory Board (PSAB), pursuant to Iowa Code 216A.133A, to provide recommendations to the General Assembly relating to crimes against children. This request came in response to the high profile kidnapping of two girls and subsequent murder of one, Kathlynn Shepard, by suspect Michael Klunder. The Iowa Legislative Council specifically requested that the PSAB provide: 1. Information regarding what changes have occurred in Iowa law since Michael Klunder was sentenced in 1992 and whether these changes could have impacted any aspect of Klunders sentence. 2. Specific legislative proposals relating to crimes against children that would avoid someone like Klunder having the opportunity to commit more heinous crimes against our children. The purpose of this report is to provide information to the PSAB concerning the number and nature of child kidnappings, including a review and analysis of the effectiveness of Iowa law in protecting children. While this reports main focus is on child kidnappings, it should be noted that child victims have represented only a small proportion (10.2%) of felony kidnapping cases disposed in the State of Iowa over the last ten years, as shown in Table 1. Further, the report deals primarily with the three classes of kidnapping noted in the table rather than addressing all the variations of kidnapping dealt with in Iowa Code Chapter 710 (e.g., violating custodial orders). Details: Des Moines: Iowa Department of Human Rights Division of Criminal and Juvenile Justice Planning Statistical Analysis Center, 2013. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2014 at: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/Child%20Kidnapping%20Report%20FY2014-Final.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.humanrights.iowa.gov/cjjp/images/pdf/Child%20Kidnapping%20Report%20FY2014-Final.pdf Shelf Number: 133399 Keywords: Child Kidnapping (Iowa) Child Protection Child Sexual abuseMissing Children |
Author: Barnardo's Title: Hidden in Plain Sight: A scoping study into the sexual exploitation of boys and young men in the UK - Policy Briefing Summary: The sexual exploitation of boys and young men is a much bigger problem than many people realise. With the support of Barnardo's, research led by UCL has found that almost one in three in a sample of the sexually exploited young people supported by Barnardo's since 2008 were male (see full reports below). The research also suggests that perceptions about 'masculine behaviour' - with victimisation being seen as a sign of weakness; may make boys particularly reluctant to seek support for the abuse that they have suffered. Professionals can be instinctively less protective of boys than girls meaning opportunities to safeguard boys are missed. The aims of the research were to: 1. Identify known characteristics of CSE cases involving boys and young men and compare them with those involving girls and young women 2. Explore professionals' views on perpetration and victimisation processes 3. Assess perceived support needs and the nature of existing service provision 4. Help inform future research, policy and practice." Details: Ilford, Essex, UK: Barnardo's, 2014. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 9, 2014 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/hidden_in_plain_sight-4.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/hidden_in_plain_sight-4.pdf Shelf Number: 133628 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Child VictimizationMale Sexual ExploitationMales |
Author: Pereznieto, Paola Title: The costs and economic impact of violence against children Summary: This briefing paper presents the main findings of a report commissioned by ChildFund Alliance, exploring the economic impacts and costs of violence against children. It presents a summary of the available evidence from different countries and provides some estimates of the global costs of violence and exploitation against children. The briefing discusses government spending to prevent and respond to violence against children as well as good preventive practices. It also provides some policy recommendations. In summary, this report finds that there are significant costs for individuals, communities, governments and economies from the different forms of violence against children. In the case of global costs resulting from physical, psychological and sexual violence, these costs can be as high as 8% of global GDP. Considering other forms of violence, such as children's involvement in hazardous work, the global costs are estimated to be $97 billion every year, which is equivalent to seven times Iceland's 2013 GDP. The economic impact of another form of violence against children - that of children associated with armed forces or groups - has been estimated to be $144 million annually. Details: London: Overseas Development Institute, 2014. 79p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 24, 2014 at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9177.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9177.pdf Shelf Number: 133815 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ExploitationChild LaborChild Sexual AbuseCosts of CrimeViolence Against Children (International) |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: Ending Violence Against Children: Six Strategies for Action Summary: Ending Violence Against Children: Six Strategies for Action provides evidence of effective programmes to address violence against children drawn from UNICEF's decades of experience, and informed by key partners. Case studies from around the globe illustrate how well-crafted prevention and response strategies can reduce the prevalence and impact of violence against children. The report is released as part of the #ENDviolence global initiative calling for an end to all forms of violence against children. It is directed at government leaders, civil society representatives, the private sector and the international development community Details: New York: UNICEF, 2014. 68p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 30, 2014 at: http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Ending_Violence_Against_Children_Six_strategies_for_action_EN_9_Oct_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: http://www.unicef.org/publications/files/Ending_Violence_Against_Children_Six_strategies_for_action_EN_9_Oct_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 133836 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ExploitationChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseViolence Against Children |
Author: Hoffer, Tia Title: Operational Safety Considerations While Investigating Child Sex Offenders. A Handbook for Law Enforcement Volume 1 Summary: The danger to the law enforcement officer who is initiating a search warrant or arrest of a Child Sex Offender (CSO) is most likely underestimated. CSOs are often perceived to be less dangerous and nonviolent. However, CSOs pose a significant risk to themselves and in turn can potentially be a danger to law enforcement officers. This handbook, based on a review by the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit III- Crimes Against Children of over 100 cases of CSOs who committed suicide, is the first of a two part handbook addressing salient operational and safety factors that might arise between law enforcement and CSOs. A Volume II will provide specific skills and techniques that can be utilized by law enforcement in gathering information about potential risk factors impacting CSO behavior. Details: Quantico, VA: FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit III, Crimes Against Children, 2012. 33p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 20, 2014 at: http://leb.fbi.gov/2013/may/officers-and-child-sex-offenders-operational-safety-considerations Year: 2012 Country: United States URL: http://leb.fbi.gov/2013/may/officers-and-child-sex-offenders-operational-safety-considerations Shelf Number: 134176 Keywords: Child Sex OffendersChild Sexual AbuseCriminal InvestigationsPolice InvestigationsPolice Training (U.S.)Suicide Prevention |
Author: Wanless, Peter Title: An Independent Review Of Two Home Office Commissioned Independent Reviews Looking At Information Held In Connection With Child Abuse from 1979-1999 Summary: 1. The Home Secretary appointed us to conduct an independent review of two previous pieces of work commissioned by her Permanent Secretary. Review 1 had been invited to consider: What, if any, material was provided to the Department [Home Office] in relation to alleged organised child abuse; and What, if any, action was taken in relation to such allegations and whether relevant materials were passed to the police or law enforcement body to investigate; and Whether any member of Home Office staff was alleged or found to be involved or implicated in organised child abuse and what action was taken. 2. Review 2 looked into whether the Home Office ever directly or indirectly funded the Paedophile Information Exchange [PIE]. 3. The initial acceptance by the Home Office that 114 files were 'missing' without further information fuelled speculation that something untoward had occurred. Having considered and been permitted to make public much more detailed information about those files, it will be apparent why, in our consideration of Review 1, we did not confine our work to a straightforward repeat of the initial reviews but wanted to consider material beyond that held at the Home Office itself. 4. Although we have summarised our findings, it is important to consider the full extent of our work alongside the detail included in Review 1 and not consider any part of either review in isolation. Details: London: Home Office, 2014. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 8, 2014 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/372915/Wanless-Whittam_Review_Report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/372915/Wanless-Whittam_Review_Report.pdf Shelf Number: 134283 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (U.K.)Child ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Walker, David Title: Sexual exploitation of adolescent girls in Uganda. The drivers, consequences and responses to the 'sugar daddy' phenomenon Summary: The phenomenon of cross-generational sex - defined as sexual relationships between an adolescent and a partner who is older, usually by 10 or more years - can be linked to many immediate and life-long negative consequences for both girls and boys. These can include entering into transactional sexual relationships - one in which the exchange of commodities and obligations can be considered as payment - as well as increased exposure to major health risks and several foregone opportunities. In development studies and other disciplines, the study of these exploitative relationships has largely been neglected, or examined as a public health issue - most often with respect to HIV&AIDS. Systematic examinations of cross-generational sex as a child protection issue - in which the impacts of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation are highlighted - are negligible, and are desperately needed to help development practitioners understand the issue and find long-lasting solutions. This study therefore seeks to understand the multiple and overlapping reasons behind cross-generational relationships in Uganda, as well as associated interventions, in order to promote more comprehensive responses to the issue. Through on-the-ground research we explore the consequences of adolescent experiences of these exploitative relationships, and analyse the extent to which policy and programming are currently failing this phenomenon. In particular, the research looks at the extent to which income poverty collates with discriminatory social norms in Uganda which contribute to this particular form of child protection violation. The study is part of a two-year Oak Foundation-funded programme of work that explores the potential for greater linkages between child protection and anti-poverty work in low- and middle-income countries. It is one of three country case studies that looks at sexual violence and exploitation, physical violence, early marriage and inadequate care, and their relationship to income poverty in Uganda, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Details: London: Overseas Development Agency, 2014. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 9, 2014 at: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9274.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Uganda URL: http://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9274.pdf Shelf Number: 134291 Keywords: AdolescentsChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Uganda)Females |
Author: Swain, Shurlee Title: History of Child Protection Legislation Summary: This paper surveys the legislation relating to the out-of-home care of children. It identifies four chronological but overlapping waves of legislation. The first, beginning in the 1860s, documents the ways in which different jurisdictions structured their child welfare system, initially influenced by concerns around vagrancy, but later revised in the light of the child rescue movement. The second, dating from the 1860s, focuses on regulating care providers, establishing systems of inspection and regulations covering punishment and employment. The third concerns the ways in which legislation constructed the childrens parents, initially seeking to deter them from foisting their children on the state but, from the 1880s, introducing measures designed to keep families together. The fourth covers legislation designed to deal with children seen as requiring special provision: child migrants, Aboriginal children, infants, and children with disabilities. The survey concludes that child welfare provision in Australia is better described as a patchwork than a coordinated model. Poorly resourced and often slow to respond to international developments in the field, it left children exposed to a system which had more interest in economy and deterrence than in ensuring their rights and best interests. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2014. 93p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 30, 3015 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/documents/published-research/historical-perspectives-report-1-history-of-instit.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/documents/published-research/historical-perspectives-report-1-history-of-instit.pdf Shelf Number: 134494 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (Australia)Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Welfare |
Author: Lerpiniere, Jennifer Title: The Sexual Exploitation of Looked After Children in Scotland: A scoping study to inform methodology for inspection Summary: In December 2012 the Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland (CELCIS) was awarded the tender for a research project to investigate the sexual exploitation of looked after children in Scotland. The research was commissioned by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland also known as the Care Inspectorate and related in particular to children in Scottish care services for which the Inspectorate has responsibility. To comply with funding arrangements and operational imperatives, the Care Inspectorate required this research to be conducted and reported within a very short timescale (three months), and within a fixed budget. Researchers often face restrictions such as these and must find creative ways to work within these limitations whilst also being honest about what is possible and what might realistically be achieved within the limits that prevail. CELCIS has over-lapping areas of interest with the Care Inspectorate; this has allowed the study to be somewhat more intensive than would otherwise have been possible, it will also facilitate any necessary follow-on work. This allows us to meet the requirements of the Care Inspectorate and to ensure that the research is conducted in a robust and responsible way. This report draws together research related to sexual exploitation of looked after children in Scotland from four strands of this study and from earlier work done by others. This information will inform the work of the Care Inspectorate. Some strands of the study will continue to receive information via on-going participation in the various research activities already initiated. These data will be used to develop a more detailed and nuanced picture which will be made available to the Care Inspectorate in the form of an 'Update Report' in due course. The full analysis will also be used to inform CELCIS's work and that of partners across the looked after children's sector. Details: Glasgow: University of Strathclyde, Centre for Excellence for Looked After Children in Scotland, 2013. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report RR-2013-05: Accessed February 16, 2015 at: http://www.celcis.org/media/resources/publications/Sexual-Exploitation-of-Looked-After-Children.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.celcis.org/media/resources/publications/Sexual-Exploitation-of-Looked-After-Children.pdf Shelf Number: 134631 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (Scotland) |
Author: Christie, Christine Title: The Child Sexual Exploitation Service and Missing children service for young people in Stoke-on-Trent: A Review Summary: This report presents the findings from a high level independent review of two separate service areas which currently operate across Stoke-on-Trent. The service areas are: - Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE); and - Missing Children The report is organised as follows. It opens with a description of the policy background and methodology for the review. It presents key issues from published material providing a framework for a good practice response to CSE and missing children; and examines Stoke-on-Trent documentation in order to form a baseline in terms of the current local strategy, systems, policy and practice. The report then considers current services for sexually exploited and missing children and young people in Stoke-on-Trent. It does this in the light of the requirements for good CSE and missing children responses as described in the national CSE guidance - Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation, Supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (the DCSF, 2009 CSE guidance); and the Statutory guidance on Children who Run away or Go missing from Home or Care (the DfE, 2014 Missing children guidance). It looks at current training for Stoke-on-Trent staff. The report draws conclusions from the review as a whole, and finally, makes a series recommendations for action over the short and longer term. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2014. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 16, 2015 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/449948/CSE-Missing-Service-Review-Stoke-on-Trent.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/449948/CSE-Missing-Service-Review-Stoke-on-Trent.pdf Shelf Number: 134633 Keywords: child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)Missing ChildrenMissing PersonsRunaways |
Author: Berelowitz, Sue Title: Summary: It has been one year since the Office of the Children's Commissioner (OCC) published the final report of our ground-breaking Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups. Using our unique statutory powers, we gathered a huge body of evidence and published six influential reports covering children in care; the prevalence and nature of child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups; the impact on children of viewing adult pornography; young people's understanding of consent; sexual exploitation in gang-involved neighbourhoods; and the final report which set out a framework for tackling this crime and supporting victims. This report sets out the progress that has been made in tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE) in England since the Inquiry. There is encouraging evidence that many of the Inquiry recommendations are being taken seriously. We are pleased to see that there are areas and agencies across the country where progress is being made. The strong leadership from the Home Office is also welcome. At the same time, much remains to be done. There are still too many places where those who have responsibility for the protection of children are failing to face up to the realities of CSE. In other areas, while strategic leaders are committed and determined, the messages have not filtered to the frontline so good intentions are not yet leading to better practice. In addition, the Government's promised revision of the definition of sexual exploitation and a myth busting guide on information sharing have not been delivered. Limited understanding of sexual exploitation and failure to share information means children are still slipping through the net. Despite calls from young people and experts, the Department for Education (DfE) has failed to make relationships and sex education compulsory in all schools. Details: London: Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2015. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2015 at: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_920 Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/content/publications/content_920 Shelf Number: 134656 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)PornographyYouth Gangs |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: No one noticed, no one heard: a study of disclosures of childhood abuse Summary: This report describes the childhood experiences of abuse of 60 young men and women and how they disclosed this abuse and sought help. These young people experienced high levels and different kinds of violence, including sexual abuse and family violence.1 It is often asserted that young people who experience abuse do not talk about it. The face to face interviews for this study show that a majority of young people did attempt to disclose their abuse to at least one person although this information was not identified in the surveys for this study. Eighty per cent - 48 of the 60 young people we spoke to - attempted to disclose the abuse before they were 18 years old. Some of these disclosures led to protective action and some did not. Research2 has suggested that sexual abuse is unlikely to be disclosed - and yet 38 of the 44 young people (86 per cent) who suffered from sexual abuse3 did disclose during childhood; 66 per cent attempted to disclose when the abuse was happening. However, just like many high profile cases, not all of these disclosures were "heard" or acted upon. Young people generally made more than one disclosure. Of the 203 disclosures in childhood that were made, 117 disclosures (58 per cent) were acted upon by recipients. Suffering from abuse is a distressing experience. It should be no surprise that disclosures that were ignored, denied or badly handled added to the negative experiences of the young people in this study. Details: London: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC), 2014. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 19, 2015 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/no-one-noticed-no-one-heard-report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/no-one-noticed-no-one-heard-report.pdf Shelf Number: 134658 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect (U.K.)Child MaltreatmentChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Internet Watch Foundation Title: Youth-Produced Sexual Content Summary: This Paper introduces the key findings of a quantitative study of youth-produced sexual content online ("the Study"). The Study took place over a three month period between September and November 2014 and used a combination of proactively sourced1 content from search engines, historic IWF data and leads from public reports to locate "youth-produced sexual content" depicting "young people". Where the content was assessed as meeting these criteria the content was analysed in accordance with IWF's standard procedures for actioning child sexual abuse content, capturing data about each image/video including image category, site type, commerciality, hosting location, device used to create the content and the assessed age and gender of the individuals depicted. During the course of the Study, 3,803 images and videos were assessed as meeting the research criteria. The key findings of the Study were as follows: - 17.5% of content depicted children aged 15 years or younger. - 85.9% of content depicting children aged 15 or younger was created using a webcam. - 93.1% of the content depicting children aged 15 or younger featured girls. - 46.9% of content depicting children aged 15 years or younger was Category A or B5 compared to 27.6% of content in the 16-20 years age range. - 89.9% of the total images and videos assessed as part of the Study had been harvested from the original upload location and were being redistributed on third party websites. Details: Cambridge, UK: Internet Watch Foundation, 2015. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Emerging Patterns and Trends Report #1: Accessed March 16, 2015 at: https://www.iwf.org.uk/assets/media/resources/Emerging%20Patterns%20and%20Trends%20Report%201%20-%20Youth-Produced%20Sexual%20Content%20website%20March%202015-1.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://pornharmsresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/Emerging-Patterns-and-Trends-Report-1-Youth-Produced-Sexual-Content-1.pdf Shelf Number: 134937 Keywords: Child Pornography (U.K.)Child Sexual AbuseOnline CommunicationsOnline VictimizationSexting |
Author: Brackenridge, Celia Title: Child Exploitation and the FIFA World Cup: A review of risks and protective interventions Summary: This review was commissioned by the Child Abuse Programme (CAP) of Oak Foundation, a large international philanthropic organisation. It forms part of CAP's effort to win societal rejection of practices such as the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents around major sporting events (MSEs), and to embed prevention and protection from exploitation as a permanent concern for global sports-related bodies. This review is intended to inform action in countries that host MSEs and to provide some suggestions on how hosting countries can avoid past pitfalls and mistakes in relation to child exploitation, especially economic and sexual exploitation. Importantly, it also acts as a call to action by those responsible for commissioning and staging MSEs, such as FIFA and the IOC, to anticipate, prepare for and adopt risk mitigation strategies and interventions. Positive leadership from these culturally powerful bodies could prove decisive in shifting hearts, minds and actions in the direction of improved safety for children. A three-pronged research design was adopted: more than 70 experts in NGOs, sport organisations and government departments were approached for interviews; a systematic search of relevant literature was conducted; and, several case studies were selected from past child protective interventions associated with MSEs. The work was intended to discover the extent of the evidence base supporting protective interventions associated with MSEs that address risk mitigation in general and child economic and sexual exploitation in particular. The many benefits of MSEs for child development related to learning, healthy lifelong physical activity, civic pride and multi-cultural sensitisation are well documented. These benefits should obviously be weighed against concerns about child exploitation and MSEs. The review found that: - some commercial enterprises associated with MSEs - both legal and illegal - still use child labour; - children are frequently victims of the community displacement typically associated with MSEs; - child sexual exploitation linked to MSEs appears to be hidden behind other social problems such as diverted services, family stress, poverty and domestic violence; - human trafficking for sexual exploitation associated with MSEs appears adult-focussed, responsive to advocacy interventions and difficult to measure. Where it does occur it is likely to mask harms to children. Whilst the risks of child exploitation were found to have increased during some of MSEs, the examples discussed all highlight the universal rarity of reliable empirical data concerning child exploitation around these events. In future, robust research designs, focused specifically on children, are essential in order to verify the many assertions that were uncovered. Responses to minimise the impact of risks for children associated with MSEs were found to be wide-ranging. It is evident from the literature, and from our consultations, that dedicated child-focussed responses are scarce. Very few programmatic or advocacy interventions are age-specific and most address general rather than particular risks. Also, human trafficking appears to overshadow all other risks in relation to the attention, resources and priority afforded to it by programmers, irrespective of the relative significance of this risk for children. There is very little material on programmes and advocacy related specifically to child labour, child sexual exploitation and displacement. This skew in the literature opens up interesting issues for future research. Importantly, it also masks the fact that children are all-too-often victims when adults close to them are exploited. So, whilst many of the initiatives described in the review are targeted at adults it should be recognised that they can also have important prevention benefits for children. Details: London: Brunel University London, Brunel Centre for Sport, Health and Wellbeing, 2013. 38p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2015 at: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/369273/Child-Protection-and-the-FIFA-World-Cup-FINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: International URL: http://www.brunel.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/369273/Child-Protection-and-the-FIFA-World-Cup-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 135428 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSporting Events |
Author: Mathews, Ben Title: Mandatory reporting laws for child sexual abuse in Australia: A legislative history Summary: 1.1 Scope and purpose of this report 1. History of Australian mandatory reporting legislation for child sexual abuse The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is required to inquire into, among other things, 'what institutions and governments should do to achieve best practice in encouraging the reporting of, and responding to reports or information about, allegations, incidents or risks of child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts'. An aspect of the nature of allegations of child sexual abuse occurring within institutional contexts is that they often relate to events that took place years and sometimes decades before the allegations are brought to light. This report is intended to assist in understanding the development of mandatory reporting laws and to establish a means of determining the existence and scope of mandatory reporting laws in any jurisdiction at a given point in time. To assist the Royal Commission in addressing our terms of reference, the major focus of this report is to review and explain the legislative principles for mandatory reporting to child welfare agencies of child sexual abuse in each state and territory of Australia, and to trace changes in the development of the laws since their inception to the present day. In doing so, the report identifies differences within and between state and territory laws over a period of 44 years, from 1969 to 2013. The report does not discuss obligations to report criminal conduct to law enforcement agencies in detail (see Part 2.6). It is not the purpose of this report to make recommendations for reform of law, policy or practice. Nevertheless, the outcomes of the legal analyses indicate areas for possible reform, enhancement and research. The law and historical developments in each state and territory are detailed in Part 3 of this Report. A timeline is also provided for each jurisdiction showing the major developments in graphic form. Nine tables in the Executive summary of this report display the most essential information in summary form. 2. Precursors to and reasons for the introduction of the laws in each jurisdiction, and for substantial amendments to the laws A second purpose of this report is to identify why the legislation changed in each jurisdiction. This task involved research into publicly available records in each state and Letters Patent for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, S No 12 of 2013, 11 January 2013, territory, focusing on significant government inquiries and law reform reports, and parliamentary debates. Findings regarding the precursors to legal developments are integrated within the treatment of the historical legal developments in Part 3 of this report. Discussion of these precursors is presented in shaded boxes. In addition, Table 9 in the Executive summary of this report highlights the major influential factors. 3. Overseas learnings A third, minor aspect of the report is to summarise other jurisdictions' reporting laws and developments over time, to identify issues of interest. For feasibility, this is limited to selected jurisdictions having the most detailed experience of mandatory reporting laws and the most detailed data about child protection. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2014. 149p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2015 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/documents/royal-commission-report-ben-mathews-for-rc-publica.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/documents/royal-commission-report-ben-mathews-for-rc-publica.pdf Shelf Number: 135548 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild Welfare |
Author: Walsh, Wendy A. Title: Sexting: When are State Prosecutors Deciding to Prosecute? The Third National Juvenile Online Victimization Study Summary: The majority of state prosecutors (62%) in the sample that had worked on technology facilitated crimes against children had handled a sexting case involving juveniles, and 36% of prosecutors in the sample reported that they had ever filed charges in these cases. When charges were filed, the majority charged child pornography production felonies and 16% of prosecutors had sexting cases that resulted in the defendant being sentenced to sex offender registration. Research needs to continue to help prosecutors develop tools and strategies to deal with these complex crimes. Details: Durham, NH: Crime Against Children Research Center, 2013. 4p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2015 at: http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV294_Walsh_Sexting%20&%20prosecution_2-6-13.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/CV294_Walsh_Sexting%20&%20prosecution_2-6-13.pdf Shelf Number: 135733 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseOnline VictimizationProsecutionSex OffendersSexting |
Author: Huebner, Beth Title: Evaluation of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions in Michigan and Missouri Summary: Sex offender residency restrictions are a specific form of specialized sex offender legislation which prohibits registered sex offenders from residing within a certain distance from places where children congregate, such as schools or daycare centers. Residency restrictions were designed to enhance public safety by neutralizing the risk of recidivism posed by registered sex offenders released into the community (Levenson & Cotter, 2005; Sample, Evans, & Anderson, 2011; Simon, 1998; Socia, 2011). The assumption behind this legislation is that sex offenders choose their victims from the available population of the area in which they reside. Thus, attempts by the criminal justice system to increase the distance between registered sex offenders and potential targets should correspond to a decrease in recidivism among this group (Kang, 2012). Statewide residency restrictions have been adopted in some form by at least thirty states and at the municipal level in several others (Meloy, Miller, & Curtis, 2008). While empirical research on sex offender residency restrictions has grown, most current work has centered on documenting the unintended consequences of these policies. For instance, several studies have examined the potential for residency restrictions to adversely shape the availability of housing for registered sex offenders. Socia (2011) observed that in Upstate New York the neighborhoods least restricted by residency restrictions - and thus the areas that registered sex offenders would be allowed to live in - were less affordable, had fewer vacancies, and were concentrated in less dense, rural areas compared to restricted neighborhoods. Additionally, researchers have documented the effect of these laws on quality of life outcomes and reintegration (Levenson & Hern, 2007; Mercado, Alvarez, & Levenson, 2008). To date, there has been little research on the efficacy of residency restrictions in reducing recidivism among registered sex offenders. Very few studies were identified that directly examined the impact of these laws on sex offender recidivism (Blood, Watson, and Stageberg, 2008; Kang, 2012; Nobles, Levenson, and Youstin, 2012; Socia, 2012). Kang (2012) used individual-level data to follow cohorts of sex offenders and non-sex offenders released both before and after the implementation of residency restrictions, no attempt was made to account for selection bias arising either between the sex offender and non-sex offender cohorts. Overall, the research has not substantiated a link between residency restrictions and reduced crime; however, most of the work has examined crime rates and has not used an adequate comparison group. The goal of the current study is to build on extant research and consider the efficacy of residency restrictions enacted in Missouri and Michigan. Details: Final Report to the U.S. National Institute of Justice, 2013. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/242952.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/242952.pdf Shelf Number: 129681 Keywords: Child MolestersChild Sexual AbuseResidency RestrictionsSex Offenders |
Author: Vandenbroucke, Myriam W.G. Title: Evaluation of the Stop Child Exploitation Programme Cambodia, 2007-2012 Summary: Terre des Hommes Netherlands evaluated the Stop Child Exploitation programme in Cambodia over a 5-year period between January 2007 and June 2012. The evaluation focused on the impact and sustainability of the socio-economic development interventions in the reduction of child exploitation. Did the socio-economic development interventions supported by Terre des Hommes, prevent child exploitation and assist children and their families in Cambodia to improve their livelihood? Assumptions covered by the evaluation: - Income Generating Activities (IGAs) for caregivers reduces child exploitation - Vocational Training for youth reduces child exploitation - Members of Self Help Group (SHG) obtain a higher income or sustainable livelihood. The evaluation results showed that through socio-economic development interventions, child exploitation can be reduced. Children were enrolled in schools and fewer children were engaged in child labour, including the worst forms of child labour. Children worked less hours and days per week. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes Netherlands, 2012. 57p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 26, 2015 at: http://www.terredeshommesnl.org/en/international/library Year: 2012 Country: Cambodia URL: http://www.terredeshommesnl.org/en/international/library Shelf Number: 129738 Keywords: Child LaborChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Walker, Kate Title: Ending the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children: A call for multi-system collaboration in California Summary: Within the United States, California has emerged as a magnet for commercial sexual exploitation ("CSE") of children ("CSEC"). The FBI has determined that three of the nation's thirteen High Intensity Child Prostitution areas are located in California: the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego metropolitan areas. Child sex trafficking, child pornography, and child sex tourism are all forms of CSEC. Frequently, victims are exploited through more than one form of abuse, and they cycle through the stages of exploitation many times before they are able to leave their exploitative relationships. To address this problem, California must develop a comprehensive and collaborative response to ensure CSE victims are identified and receive the services they need to overcome trauma and live healthy, productive lives. The children who fall prey to exploiters are frequently those with prior involvement with the child welfare system, such as through child abuse report investigations and placement in foster care. Other victims should have received Child Welfare services and protections but never gained access to the system, and are instead treated like criminals and funneled into the juvenile justice system. Details: Sacramento: California Child Welfare Council, 2013. 100. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 2, 2015 at: http://www.chhs.ca.gov/CWCDOC/Ending%20CSEC%20-%20A%20Call%20for%20Multi-System%20Collaboration%20in%20CA%20-%20February%202013.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United States URL: http://www.chhs.ca.gov/CWCDOC/Ending%20CSEC%20-%20A%20Call%20for%20Multi-System%20Collaboration%20in%20CA%20-%20February%202013.pdf Shelf Number: 130001 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareHuman Trafficking |
Author: Stopler, Lucien Title: Money Makes the World Go Down. Child Sexual Abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation in Tanzania Summary: Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation is widespread and growing in Tanzania. Although no nationwide statistics currently exist, certain observations strongly indicate widespread sexual exploitation. This report is based on a literature review and key informant interviews. Tanzanian police, specialized local and international NGOs and victims of abuse and exploitation were interviewed during the field work. Below is a summary of the empirical findings that are subsequently supported and discussed in the body of the report. Research conducted in six areas of Dar es Salaam revealed that 40% of children from poor families are being sexually exploited. Other commercial areas in Tanzania, including mining and fishing areas, are known locations for child prostitution. Anecdotal information confirms that a large number of children travel to these areas on payday to solicit sex. Child sexual abuse is rampant among street children; it is estimated that 30 to 40% of boys are abused by older boys and market vendors and 90% of girls are abused and generally end up in prostitution. The clients of child prostitutes' range, from tourists, business men and NGO workers for the more expensive girls, to locals and teenagers exploiting the children that charge the lowest rates - sometimes asking only for food. Child prostitutes interviewed related stories of violence from clients and big mama's (pimps) and the desperation they feel from not having any options. Child sexual abuse within the family goes mostly undiscovered because family honor prevails over the rights of individual children. Boy prostitution is a phenomenon that occurs primarily in Zanzibar. Child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation are often linked. Child sexual abuse is defined differently than child sexual exploitation - namely that there is no commercial transaction or negotiation taking place - but in practice there is a gradient scale from abuse to exploitation. Sexual abusers often introduce an aspect of commercial transaction that further exploits the vulnerability of the victim. The police do not prioritize the investigation or prosecution of men having sex with child prostitutes, even though sex with a minor is a grave offence, carrying up to 30 years imprisonment as well as corporal punishment. The police arrest the underage prostitute, not the man who is also breaking the law by engaging in child sexual exploitation. The police are themselves accused of exploiting child prostitutes. The police officers that are committed, request more training on investigative techniques and internatioanal cooperation, as well as sufficient resources. Trafficking routes run from Tanzania and other East African countries to Europe. Information from the Tanzanian police lists the Netherlands as a likely location for victims of trafficking, even though there are few reports of women in The Netherlands trafficked from Tanzania. Two important root causes of child sexual abuse and exploitation that need to be addressed are poverty, which pushes children towards the city where there is no work, and broken homes emanating partly from social stress. Income-generation and family-support programs can improve this situation. Details: The Hague: Terre des Hommes Netherlands, 2009. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 3, 2015 at: http://www.mensenhandelweb.nl/system/files/documents/14%20feb%202014/Money%20Makes%20the%20World%20Go%20Down%20%20Tanzania.pdf Year: 2009 Country: Tanzania URL: http://www.mensenhandelweb.nl/system/files/documents/14%20feb%202014/Money%20Makes%20the%20World%20Go%20Down%20%20Tanzania.pdf Shelf Number: 129774 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman traffickingPoverty |
Author: Quadara, Antonia Title: Conceptualising the prevention of child sexual abuse: Final report Summary: Significant numbers of Australian children have experienced neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse. The adverse, long-term consequences of these experiences are well demonstrated in the research literature and recognised by the policy and practice communities. This report: identifies the conceptual, policy and practice challenges that the prevention of child sexual abuse presents; presents a conceptual mapping of dynamics associated with child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation; outlines key directions that could be taken to strengthen prevention strategies. The report is divided into two sections: Part A: Background literature Part B: Child sexual abuse: Current issues and future directions Details: Melbourne: Australian Institute of Family Studies, 2015. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Research Report no. 33: Accessed July 9, 2015 at: https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/rr33.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://aifs.gov.au/sites/default/files/publication-documents/rr33.pdf Shelf Number: 135983 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Saar, Malika Saada Title: The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: The Girls' Story Summary: "The Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline: The Girls' Story", a report that exposes how girls, specifically girls of color, are arrested and incarcerated as a result of sexual abuse. One in 3 juveniles arrested is a girl. Girls tend to be arrested at younger ages than boys, usually entering the system at age 13 or 14. And while girls are only 14 percent of incarcerated youths, they make up the fastest-growing segment of the juvenile-justice system. Sexual abuse is one of the primary predictors of girls' detention. Girls are rarely arrested for violent crimes. They are arrested for nonviolent behaviors that are correlative with enduring and escaping from abusive environments-offenses such as truancy and running away. Many girls run away from abusive homes or foster-care placements, only to then be arrested for the status offense of running away. Whereas abused women are told to run from their batterers, when girls run from abuse, they are locked up. There is also the grim example of how girls are criminalized when they are trafficked for sex as children. When poor black and brown girls are bought and sold for sex, they are rarely regarded or treated as victims of trafficking. Instead, they are children jailed for prostitution. According to the FBI, African-American children make up 59 percent of all prostitution-related arrests under the age of 18 in the U.S., and girls make up 76 percent of all prostitution-related arrests under the age of 18 in the U.S. Another lens through which to understand the degree of sexual violence and trauma endured by justice-involved girls is their own histories. The younger a girl's age when she enters the juvenile-justice system, the more likely she is to have been sexually assaulted and/or seriously physically injured. One California study found that 60 percent of girls in the state's jails had been raped or were in danger of being raped at some point in their lives. Similarly, a study of delinquent girls in South Carolina found that 81 percent reported a history of sexual violence: Sixty-nine percent had experienced violence by their caregiver, and 42 percent reported dating violence. It has to be pointed out, as the "Sexual Abuse to Prison Pipeline" report does, that this is, distinctly, a pipeline for girls of color. Youths of color account for 45 percent of the general youth population, but girls of color-who are approximately half of all youths of color-make up approximately two-thirds of girls who are incarcerated. Details: Washington, DC: George Law Center on Poverty and Inequality, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 13, 2015 at: http://rights4girls.org/wp-content/uploads/r4g/2015/02/2015_COP_sexual-abuse_layout_web-1.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: http://rights4girls.org/wp-content/uploads/r4g/2015/02/2015_COP_sexual-abuse_layout_web-1.pdf Shelf Number: 136019 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseDisproportionate Minority ConfinementFemale DetentionFemale Juvenile OffendersMinority GroupsViolence Against Girls |
Author: Jutte, Sonja Title: How Safe Are Our Children? The Most Comprehensive Overview of Child Protection in the UK Summary: Our report compiles and analyses the most robust and up-to-date child protection data that exists across the 4 nations in the UK for 2015. The report sets out 20 different indicators. Each indicator looks at the question of 'how safe are our children?' from a different perspective. They also include historic data, to help track progress over time Key messages More support is needed for the victims of abuse We've seen a rise in the number of people coming forward about their experiences of abuse. The support must match this increased willingness to speak out. Victims of child abuse need more therapeutic support, and age-appropriate support at every stage of the criminal justice process. We must not lose sight of neglect While child sexual exploitation is dominating the media, it's important to remember that neglect remains the most common form of child abuse across the UK. We need to continue to gather evidence into what works in tackling neglect. Early intervention is key We need to intervene early to address problems before they become more serious and entrenched. By intervening early we can protect children more effectively and save money. Key findings All 4 countries in the UK have seen the number of recorded sexual offences against children increase over the last year. There's been an increase in contacts to the NSPCC helpline and ChildLine about sexual abuse. Neglect remains the most common form of child abuse in the UK. The number of children dying as a result of homicide or assault remains in long term decline. Details: London: NSPCC, 2015. 88p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 24, 2015 at: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2015-report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/how-safe-children-2015-report.pdf Shelf Number: 136151 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Sumner, Steven A. Title: Prevalence of Sexual Violence Against Children and Use of Social Services -- Seven Countries, 2007-2013 Summary: Sexual violence against children erodes the strong foundation that children require for leading healthy and productive lives. Globally, studies show that exposure to violence during childhood can increase vulnerability to a broad range of mental and physical health problems, ranging from depression and unwanted pregnancy to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (1,2). Despite this, in many countries, the extent of sexual violence against children is unknown; estimates are needed to stimulate prevention and response efforts and to monitor progress. Consequently, CDC, as a member of the global public-private partnership known as Together for Girls, collaborated with Cambodia, Haiti, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe to conduct national household surveys of children and youth aged 13-24 years to measure the extent of violence against children. The lifetime prevalence of experiencing any form of sexual violence in childhood ranged from 4.4% among females in Cambodia to 37.6% among females in Swaziland, with prevalence in most countries greater than 25.0%. In most countries surveyed, the proportion of victims that received services, including health and child protective services, was 10.0%. Both prevention and response strategies for sexual violence are needed. During 2007-2013, CDC and UNICEF, in partnership with host country governments, communities, and academic institutions developed and administered Violence Against Children Surveys (VACS) in seven countries. The first VACS were administered in Swaziland in 2007; most recently, VACS were administered in Malawi in 2013. Protocols were approved by host country and CDC institutional review boards. VACS are a multistage cluster survey with national coverage, administered by host country survey workers (trained by CDC and local partners) via household, face-to-face interviews. Surveys are initiated at the request of host-country governments. Informed consent/assent is obtained from all participants, special safeguards are incorporated for confidentiality, all participants receive a referral list of available services, and any victims desiring aid are referred for social services. This report focuses on lifetime childhood sexual violence (before age 18 years) among male and female respondents aged 18-24 years. Sexual violence included unwanted touching, unwanted attempted sex, pressured/coerced sex, and forced sex. Sex was specifically defined as vaginal/anal penetration by the penis, hands, fingers, mouth, or objects, or oral penetration by the penis except in Swaziland (penetration of vagina/anus by penis only) and Malawi (oral, vaginal, or anal sex or vaginal/anal object insertion). Patterns in the prevalence of any form of childhood sexual violence differed by country (Figure). Swaziland had high reported prevalence of sexual violence among females (37.6%). Reported sexual violence among females in Zimbabwe also was high (32.5%), yet Zimbabwe had a considerably lower reported prevalence of sexual violence against males (8.9%). Haiti had high prevalence rates for both males (21.2%) and females (25.7%). Cambodia reported the lowest rates for both females (4.4%) and males (5.6%). Among respondents who reported childhood sexual violence, the proportion who also reported receiving services, including health care, legal/security aid, or counseling support, was low for both males and females (Table 1). Swaziland had the largest proportion (24.0%) of females receiving services. In a few countries, data were readily available on the proportion of children who sought services in addition to the percentage who received services. In Malawi, 9.6% of female and 5.9% of male victims sought services. In Kenya, 6.8% of females and 2.1% of males attempted to seek services. Finally, in Tanzania, 16.2% of female and 10.8% of male victims sought services. Among all victims in these countries, the proportion receiving services was no higher than 11.7% (female victims in Tanzania). Completed acts of unwanted sex (i.e., pressured or forced penetrative sex acts) generally were higher among females than males (Table 2). Approximately 17.5% of females in Swaziland reported experiencing an episode of unwanted, completed sex. The lifetime childhood prevalence of unwanted, completed sex also was high among females in Zimbabwe (13.5%), Kenya (11.8%), and Haiti (9.0%). Details: Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, June 5, 2015: Accessed July 24, 2015 at: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6421a1.htm Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6421a1.htm Shelf Number: 136152 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Great Britain. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary Title: Online and on the edge: Real risks in a virtual world. An inspection into how forces deal with the online sexual exploitation of children Summary: Taking, possessing and distributing indecent images of children or grooming them online, can result in the commission of serious crimes against the most vulnerable. These crimes are not necessarily confined to the online world. There is a risk that perpetrators are also committing sexual offences against children in person or may do so in the future. This report sets out the findings from fieldwork in Devon and Cornwall, Kent, Lancashire, North Wales, Northumbria and Staffordshire where HMIC inspectors reviewed a total of 124 cases selected at random, and conducted interviews with police officers and staff. Although we did not inspect every force, we anticipate that our findings and recommendations will be relevant in whole, or in part, for all police forces throughout England and Wales. The first part of this report sets the scene, looking at the reasons and background to why children are sexually exploited online. The second part sets out our findings on the police service's efforts to tackle online child sexual exploitation. Although this report does not specifically focus on the police's use of technology when dealing with this type of offending, in our annual assessment of policing in England and Wales, published in November 2014, we stressed the need for the police service to refresh and improve its capabilities on a regular basis. The police will need to make a major leap forward in capability to keep pace with the crime threat, and this is particularly true of crimes against children facilitated by online activity. In 2012, HMIC carried out fieldwork as part of an inspection on how police forces performed in their work to prevent online child sexual exploitation - facilitated and enabled by the internet. This fieldwork identified opportunities to undertake coordinated law enforcement activity to apprehend offenders across England and Wales. As a result, operation Notarise was established as a large scale police operation between the National Crime Agency and the police service. So far 745 people have been arrested, 900 premises searched, and nearly 10,000 devices capable of storing indecent images of children have been seized. Over 500 children have been identified and safeguarded as a result of this activity. From time to time, in the course of our inspection work, we come across live police operations. We do not make public any material that might compromise current operations or pending criminal trials. Details: London: HMIC, 2015. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2015 at: http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/online-and-on-the-edge.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmic/wp-content/uploads/online-and-on-the-edge.pdf Shelf Number: 136301 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimesOnline Victimization |
Author: Kasalwe, Ruth Y. Title: Bridging the Gap Between Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Responses from Law Enforcement Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) has become a growing crime in most cities in the United States, particularly Atlanta. There seems to be a gap between these types of crime and how law enforcement responds to them. This paper discussed why Atlanta has attracted such a crime and how local law enforcement is dealing with the issue, as well as current laws that are in place to combat this crime. In particular, this study will answer two main questions: (1) Why is Metro Atlanta a hotspot for CSEC? (2) How can local law enforcement better respond to CSEC? The study found that Atlanta's major airport and roadways make the city accessible to exploiters. CSEC is taking place at sporting events, trade shows and other such gatherings, which bring an influx of people to the city. The internet is another tool that exploiters are using to target vulnerable children. There is also CSEC activity happening in hotels and motels, and high crime areas. The study found that law enforcement desperately need more resources to effectively combat CSEC. Victims of CSEC are mistrusting of law enforcement, which hampers the effective treatment and delivery of services. The findings indicate that law enforcement rely on partnerships with social service providers to stop CSEC, and to ensure the safety of CSEC victims. This study also offers policy recommendations to law enforcement in an attempt to bridge the gap between CSEC and law enforcement responses. Details: Kennesaw, GA: Kennesaw State University, 2014. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Theses: Accessed August 5, 2015 at: http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1631&context=etd Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1631&context=etd Shelf Number: 136327 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Jago, Sue Title: Gathering evidence of the sexual exploitation of children and young people: a scoping exercise Summary: The original aim of the scoping exercise was to focus on the investigation process. However, almost half the areas included in the exercise were 'just starting out' to establish a multi-agency response to child sexual exploitation which includes challenging offenders. Local partnerships that are developing expertise in building successful prosecution cases initially face significant organisational issues. As a result the key messages from the scoping exercise address these issues as well as those directly related to the gathering of evidence, disruption plans and building cases for prosecution. The key findings are set out below and grouped under headings that reflect the way the report has been organised: A multi-agency approach Existing guidance1 on tackling child sexual exploitation makes clear the importance of a proactive and coordinated approach to tackling perpetrators. This section relates to the delivery of these objectives through a multi-agency partnership: - in many areas there was evidence of a lack of focus on the proactive investigation of the perpetrators of child sexual exploitation. Child protection units have been traditionally reactive but the move to inclusion in the work of PPUs is helping to develop a more proactive approach - recognising the link between missing children and vulnerability to sexual exploitation enhances the criminal justice response - raising the priority of investigating child sexual exploitation is likely to require resources as well as reorganisation - an appropriate allocation of resources to child sexual exploitation is likely to require the introduction of relevant performance indicators - the involvement of voluntary sector specialist projects in multi-agency partnerships is invaluable for the delivery of intervention packages but requires the support of the LSCB - the most robust organisational response is a dedicated unit with co-located staff - in other models the development of a virtual team and the appointment/identification of a child sexual exploitation coordinator supports effective partnership working. The foundation for effective evidence gathering Difficulties with translating information into viable evidence has been a barrier to securing prosecutions. This section relates to ways to improve the gathering, sharing and recording of information as a basis for building a case against a perpetrator: - information sharing protocols based on child protection are likely to require adaptation to meet the needs of early intervention and investigation in cases of child sexual exploitation - identifying risk factors and addressing them through early intervention demonstrates care for the young victim and builds trust to enable exploitation to be challenged - specialist agencies, particularly if seen to be non-statutory, are well placed to build trusting relationships with young victims and their parents and carers - providing support from first referral to post conviction, and beyond age 18 where required, can prevent re-victimisation and is more likely to be provided by a non-statutory specialist agency - a child sexual exploitation coordinator, working with points of contact in each agency, provides a focal point for collating information and has been a turning point for building successful cases against perpetrators - a wide range of agencies needs to be involved, including those who have not traditionally seen evidence gathering against perpetrators of child sexual exploitation as part of their role - support from the CPS to raise awareness about collecting and preserving information in an evidentially viable way can be crucial to building a sound prosecution case data collection systems for missing persons can be useful for collating information on child sexual exploitation - intelligence systems not only support individual investigations but also enable areas to map local activity to identify 'hotspots' and other common factors, and can contribute to a national picture of trends. Developing a disruption plan Disruption is not necessarily a fall-back position. Developing a disruption plan can prevent children and young people at risk from becoming involved in exploitative relationships, and can help both victims and perpetrators to recognise the criminal nature of such relationships: - coercive relationships are difficult to dislodge without a disruption plan abduction warnings can be an effective way to sever contact between victims and perpetrators - there is scope for greater use of police powers and court orders including SOPOs and RSHOs - there is scope for increasing cooperation with other enforcement agencies to disrupt the process of exploitation. Preparing a prosecution case This was at the heart of the scoping exercise. The main issue to be addressed was the general reluctance of young people to recognise or report exploitation, and the consequent difficulties of relying on their evidence: - sexual exploitation is a form of child abuse but it raises unique issues as it involves particularly challenging young people who often do not recognise the coercive nature of their relationships - creative investigative techniques help to corroborate the evidence of chaotic and/or reluctant young victims and witnesses - a key worker approach provides the best support for young people during the investigation and prosecution process - more effective outcomes are achieved where there is an early meeting between the police and the CPS - child sexual exploitation strategies can be strengthened by discussing with the CPS how to integrate their policy on prosecuting criminal cases involving children and young people. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2008. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2015 at: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/40824/Gathering_evidence_final_report_June_08.pdf Year: 2008 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/40824/Gathering_evidence_final_report_June_08.pdf Shelf Number: 113966 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCriminal InvestigationOrganized Crime |
Author: Child Exploitation and Online Protection Center (U.K.) Title: Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse Summary: 1. Last year the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre published its first annual Threat Assessment of Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (TACSEA), which examined current and emerging threats posed to children in the United Kingdom from sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. 2. The 2013 TACSEA builds on and updates last year's document and, in line with CEOP's founding ethos that every child matters...everywhere, also examines the threat to children abroad from UK nationals. The purpose of the assessment is to enable CEOP to set its strategic priorities for the year ahead by describing the nature and extent of the threat landscape and how we assess it will change during the year. This will ensure that in a time of austerity across the public sector, CEOP resources are deployed where the threat to children is the greatest. It also provides a picture for partners to consider in their strategies and resource deployment. 3. CEOP's mission, as set out in its three year strategy, is to work with others to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. It is recognised, however, that many other agencies in the UK have responsibility for tackling the spectrum of child sexual abuse particularly where it occurs in the home or within the family. Whilst acknowledging the wider context of child sexual exploitation and abuse this assessment focuses on those areas, both online and offline, where CEOP can add value and where no other agency has an appreciable footprint. 4. The TACSEA is an intelligence product, the purpose of which is to enhance understanding of a particular threat area. As an exception reporting tool it highlights only significant changes to that threat during the reporting period and it should therefore be read in conjunction with the 2012 TACSEA. The assessment sets out what is currently known about the threats to children and highlights those areas where understanding is less well developed. 5. This assessment signals the start of the second year of a three year strategy in which CEOP undertakes to assess where and how children are most at risk from sexual exploitation and abuse, to communicate this widely and to develop programmes to mitigate threats. It is likely that CEOP will conduct an additional threat assessment in the autumn of 2013 to inform the setting of national priorities. 6. In October 2013, CEOP will become a command of the National Crime Agency (NCA). The NCA will be the centrepiece of the reformed policing landscape and will spearhead the national crime fighting response to serious, organised and complex crime. Within the NCA, CEOP will further develop its strategic approach to prevent child sexual exploitation and abuse, to protect children and young people who are at risk of victimisation and to pursue offenders who target children in the UK or overseas. Details: London: CEOP, 2013. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2015 at: http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/CEOP_TACSEA2013_240613%20FINAL.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://ceop.police.uk/Documents/ceopdocs/CEOP_TACSEA2013_240613%20FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 131373 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationOnline Victimization |
Author: Randhawa, Trisha Title: Child Grooming: Summary: In recent months a number of reports have been released that have brought child sexual abuse to the forefront of the public debate. In particular, the report by the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into the Handling of Child Sexual Abuse by Religious and Other Non-Government Organisations, Betrayal of Trust and the Department of Justice's Review of Sexual Offences: Consultation Paper, have led to calls for the introduction of a specific offence related to the grooming of children with the intent to sexually abuse them. Children are trusting and they rely on adults for love and support; when this trust is violated it has immeasurable impacts on their sense of self. The sexual abuse and rape of children is a crime that causes immense damage to a child across their entire life. The grooming of a child is a preparatory act essential to the subsequent crime of child sexual abuse - it is critical to recognise that the two elements are inextricably linked. Only through realising the importance of grooming as a stage in the sexual abuse of a child can effective interventions and preventative measures be implemented. The earlier abusive and grooming behaviours are detected, the less harm caused to the child. If the legislation is comprehensive, effective, and well implemented, police will be able to intervene at every stage of the child abuse process - from grooming, to encouragement, to actual abuse. The introduction of grooming legislation can only improve our ability to protect children. This report, completed as part of a Victorian Law Foundation grant awarded to Child Wise, is aimed at providing advice and guidance to legislators and practitioners as they consider the introduction of offences specifically targeting the grooming of a child. Details: South Melbourne, VIC, AUS: Child Wise, 2013. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed August 17, 2015 at: http://childwise.blob.core.windows.net/assets/uploads/files/Grooming%20-%20Exploring%20the%20call%20for%20law%20reform%20-%20Child%20Wise%20(Web).pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: http://childwise.blob.core.windows.net/assets/uploads/files/Grooming%20-%20Exploring%20the%20call%20for%20law%20reform%20-%20Child%20Wise%20(Web).pdf Shelf Number: 136443 Keywords: Child GroomingChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenses |
Author: Gentzler, Kari C. Title: A Stress Process Model of Arrest among Homeless Women: Exploring Risk and Protective Factors Summary: Objective: Women constitute one of the fastest-growing segments of both the homeless and incarcerated populations. In addition, homeless women tend to have higher rates of victimization, mental illness, substance use, and criminal justice system involvement compared to non-homeless women, although this body of research is becoming dated. The current study situates homeless women's involvement in the criminal justice system within the stress process model and proposes that these factors - childhood abuse, psychiatric disorders, and homelessness - act as stressors that increase their risk of arrest. In addition, social support and self-efficacy are examined as potential protective factors that may act as buffers against arrest. Method: This study utilizes data from 159 homeless women from three U.S. cities: Omaha, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Portland, Oregon. Results: First, rates of childhood abuse and recent arrest were examined: 75% of the women had experienced some physical, verbal, or sexual abuse during childhood and 20% of the women had been arrested in the year prior to the study. Bivariate logistic regression results indicated that childhood sexual abuse was a significant correlate of recent arrests. Next, stressors related to mental illness, substance use, and women's experiences while homeless were tested as mediators of the focal relationship. Drug dependence disorder and victimization experienced while homeless emerged as significant mediators in the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and arrest. Finally, social support and self-efficacy were explored as moderating resources. These protective factors, however, were unrelated to recent arrest and did not modify the relationship between psychiatric disorders or homelessness stressors and arrest. Conclusions: The current study supports the stress process model as a valid framework for studying risk and protective factors for arrest among homeless women. Stressors experienced early in life, such as childhood sexual abuse, give rise to stressors in other life domains and lead to maladaptive outcomes. Results of the current study provide evidence for the ongoing criminalization of mental illness and homelessness in contemporary society. Details: Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2014. 110p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed September 17, 2015 at: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=sociologydiss Year: 2014 Country: United States URL: http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1032&context=sociologydiss Shelf Number: 136804 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFemale OffendersHomeless PersonsMental Illness |
Author: Leclerc, Benoit Title: Adult sex offenders in youth-oriented institutions: Evidence on sexual victimisation experiences of offenders and their offending patterns Summary: There is significant interest in the issue of child sexual abuse committed in institutional settings. This study uses information collected from a sample of 23 convicted Canadian sex offenders to examine key elements of the offending. Issues explored include the nature of the offender's involvement with institutions, their own prior sexual victimisation experiences, factors influencing the selection of victims and the locations where the sexual assaults occurred. Particularly telling was the length of time offenders spent at an institution prior to initiating the assaults and the potential to avert offending by reducing opportunities to offend, as well as the associated danger evident in allowing staff - without supervision - to transport children outside of an institutional setting, given the frequency of the assaults that occurred offsite. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 8p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, no. 497: Accessed September 30, 2015 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi497.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi497.pdf Shelf Number: 136929 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex OffendersSexual Assaults |
Author: Munro, Eileen Title: Hear no evil, see no evil: Understanding failure to identify and report child sexual abuse in institutional contexts Summary: The Royal Commission has developed a comprehensive research program to support its work and to inform its findings and recommendations. The program focuses on eight themes: 1. Why does child sexual abuse occur in institutions? 2. How can child sexual abuse in institutions be prevented? 3. How can child sexual abuse be better identified? 4. How should institutions respond where child sexual abuse has occurred? 5. How should government and statutory authorities respond? 6. What are the treatment and support needs of victims/survivors and their families? 7. What is the history of particular institutions of interest? 8. How do we ensure the Royal Commission has a positive impact? This research report falls within theme three. The case studies examined in this report explore many of the organisational factors that influence how well children are protected: the recruitment process, training in recognising and responding to indications of abuse, and formal policies about what people should do both to prevent and react to abuse. Our study highlighted less tangible but equally influential aspects of organisations that were also evident in the case studies, including: Local rationality: People do what they think is right or sensible at a given time, and inquiries such as this need to find out what local rationalities may have influenced their actions. Organisational culture: This is partly created by the explicit strategies and messages of senior managers but is also strongly influenced by covert messages that are transmitted throughout organisations, influencing individual behaviour. These can significantly affect the rigour with which policies and procedures are implemented. Balancing risks: Policies and actions that protect children can also create dangers. Workers who are fearful of being wrongly suspected of abuse may keep their distance from children and not provide the nurturing, healthy relationships that children need to have with adults. Organisations have to reach some conclusion as to what level of concern should be reported. Making it compulsory to report even a low level of concern will identify more cases of abuse but at the cost of including numerous non-abusive cases. Efforts therefore need to be made to create a culture that understands the ambiguity of the behaviour so that innocent people's reputations are not tainted by false reports. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2015 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/620678bb-6c9d-45da-94c3-63c4b40e648f/Hear-no-evil,-see-no-evil Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/620678bb-6c9d-45da-94c3-63c4b40e648f/Hear-no-evil,-see-no-evil Shelf Number: 137192 Keywords: Child MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseCorrections-Based Sexual AbuseInstitutional CareSex Offenders |
Author: Volmert, Andrew Title: "It's Hard to Wrap Your Head Around": Mapping the Gaps Between Expert and Public Understandings of Child Maltreatment and Child Sexual Abuse in Alberta Summary: This research, conducted by the FrameWorks Institute in partnership with the Alberta Family Wellness Initiative and sponsored by the Norlien Foundation, analyzes and compares expert and public views of child maltreatment, with a particular focus on child sexual abuse. In "mapping the gaps" between expert and public perspectives, the report lays out the key communication challenges for strategic reframing efforts. Future communications research will address these challenges by developing and testing framing strategies to enhance public understanding and boost support for effective ways of addressing child maltreatment generally, and child sexual abuse specifically Details: Washington, DC: Frame Works Institute, 2015. 53p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 5, 2015 at: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/canada/albertamtgchildmaltreatmentabusereport.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Canada URL: http://www.frameworksinstitute.org/assets/files/canada/albertamtgchildmaltreatmentabusereport.pdf Shelf Number: 137199 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Palmer, Tink Title: Digital Dangers: The impact of technology on the sexual abuse and exploitation of children and young people Summary: The internet has transformed how we all live, learn, work and communicate. Over the last twenty years the ways in which we interact and engage have evolved beyond imagination; for many people, the world online is as real as the world offline. For children - at the forefront of the digital revolution - the internet has created myriad opportunities. But it has also created risks. For every new piece of technology that can change how children access information, communicate or find entertainment, a new danger may present itself in a way that children, families and society may not immediately understand. Barnardo's is the largest provider of support to at risk and sexually exploited children in the UK, and runs specialist services in 47 local areas across the country. In 2014-15, these services supported 3,175 children, a 49 per cent increase on the preceding year. Our project workers have witnessed first-hand how the internet has transformed the nature of abuse and sexual exploitation. The concerns that we raise in this report build upon evidence that started to emerge when Barnardo's published Just one click! in 2004. This was one of the first publications in the UK to address the growing concerns amongst professionals about the ways in which children and young people may be at risk of harm online. More than a decade later, and now that the true scale of sexual exploitation of children in the UK is finally beginning to be recognised, it is even more crucial that we better understand the risks posed by the internet, and how we can address them. What is clear from the report is that the ways in which children can be sexually exploited online do not always follow the models of sexual exploitation that we are familiar with. Children at risk may be younger than those referred to services for offline sexual exploitation, and may not fit into standard definitions of 'vulnerable'. What is also clear from the report is that the problem of online sexual abuse of children impacts on the work of Barnardo's across all projects. As communication becomes ever more private and personal, due to mobile devices and instant connectivity, it can become all the more difficult to identify who is at risk, how they are at risk and where they are at risk. It is vital that policy and practice recognises the particular vulnerabilities that children now face, and respond to them. Drawing on research conducted with our services, this report makes a number of recommendations relating to service provision; training for professionals; and policy change. The recommendations are wide-ranging and emphasise the part that we can all play in protecting our children online. Details: Barkingside, Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2016. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 13, 2016 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/onlineshop/pdf/digital_dangers_report.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/onlineshop/pdf/digital_dangers_report.pdf Shelf Number: 137575 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesOnline CommunicationOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Research in Practice Title: Working Effectively to Address Child Sexual Exploitation: An evidence scope Summary: This evidence scope draws on knowledge from research, practitioner expertise and young people's experience to identify the barriers to dealing with CSE, and the approaches and interventions that can make a difference to young people. The scope, accompanied by an executive summary, examines different models of CSE, how risks and needs are identified and assessed, and what interventions appear to be most promising. It offers six key principles for service design and practice development, highlighting the importance of young-person-centred practice and participatory approaches, considering what might be most effective in terms of early help and education, as well as focusing on the critical issue of how to ensure multi-agency working, and what support the workforce needs. Details: Dartington Hall, Totnes, UK: Research in Practice, 2015. 107p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 17, 2016 at: https://www.rip.org.uk/resources/publications/evidence-scopes/working-effectively-to-address-child-sexual-exploitation-evidence-scope-2015/ Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.rip.org.uk/resources/publications/evidence-scopes/working-effectively-to-address-child-sexual-exploitation-evidence-scope-2015/ Shelf Number: 137873 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Offenders |
Author: Greater London Authority Title: Confronting Child Sexual Exploitation in London Summary: Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is not new, but recent high profile investigations and criminal trials have raised awareness of the possible widespread nature of these offences and the gravity of their impact. Professor Alexis Jay's report, the Independent Inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham (the Jay Report), and cases such as those in Rochdale, Oxford and Derby, have uncovered the previously hidden scale and organised nature of much CSE. Our investigation examines London's approach to safeguarding children in the light of the lessons that can be learned from tackling CSE in Rotherham. There is an expectation that the local response to CSE is led by Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCBs). LSCBs have a statutory duty to bring agencies together to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. They have a range of functions and play a key role in developing local safeguarding children policy and procedures and scrutinising local arrangements - including CSE. The multi-agency London Safeguarding Children Board provides strategic advice and support to London's 32 LSCBs. Its membership is made up of representatives from London boroughs, police, health, probation and independent, voluntary and community agencies in London. We would welcome assurance from London's Directors of Children's Services, the lead professionals responsible for the provision of children's services in London, the London Safeguarding Children Board and LSCBs that all London boroughs have robust mechanisms in place to protect London's children and young people from CSE. No one knows the true scale of CSE. The Jay Report made a conservative estimate that approximately 1,400 children were sexually exploited in Rotherham over the 16 year inquiry period. The Met anticipates it will receive between 1,800 and 2,000 referrals a year. From January 2014 to October 2014, the Met reported 1,612 referrals of CSE, including 265 positive interventions and 55 detections. High profile cases of CSE have raised concerns about how the police and other services work together to respond to CSE. The Jay Report documented a number of ways the police and partner agencies failed to prevent abuse or prioritise dealing with CSE in Rotherham and the Serious Case Review into CSE in Oxfordshire reported multiple missed opportunities by agencies to act rigorously. Rotherham had many policies and plans to tackle CSE. However, inspection reports describe how children's social care was typically understaffed, overstretched and struggling to cope with demand. Thresholds for action were identified as very high and there were significant weaknesses in scrutiny and challenge within Rotherham's governance system. Professionals ignored warnings about the scale of CSE and failed to recognise and believe victims and young people at risk of CSE. Similarly, the Serious Case Review in Oxfordshire found that it took agencies too long to recognise CSE, used language that blamed the victims, and a lack of understanding led to insufficient inquiry. Many London boroughs have made significant developments in their response to CSE over the past few years. Policies and procedures have been developed, multi-agency groups have been established, and investment in training increased. The Met has shown positive progress in developing its approach to CSE. In February 2014, the Met launched The London Child Sexual Exploitation Protocol. The protocol sets out the procedures for the Met and partner agencies for safeguarding and protecting children from sexual exploitation. Our report, Keeping London's children safe welcomed the protocol and recommended the Met should review the evidence and impact of the CSE Protocol on reporting and identifying CSE in London, and the level of resource dedicated to tackling CSE. The Met told us it has scheduled a review of the Pan-London CSE Protocol to start in January 2015 and will also publish a good practice guide. CSE is not a MOPAC 7 priority.6 We were told that as borough police are not measured on CSE it becomes less of a "priority" in some areas. This is a concern. MOPAC is establishing a performance monitoring framework for crimes that fall out of the MOPAC - However, while the Met has made progress in recording CSE data, MOPAC is yet to establish its performance monitoring framework. MOPAC must set out a clear performance monitoring framework for holding the Met to account on its safeguarding children duties, including CSE, as a matter of urgency. National guidance requires local areas to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to tackle CSE. We found that CSE is a strategic priority for London boroughs and the challenge is to ensure boroughs work together to deliver a system that can effectively implement strategies, plans and protocols to tackle CSE and safeguard children across the whole of London. Strategies, policies and procedures need to be robustly monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure effectiveness. While Rotherham had good inter-agency CSE policies and procedures, members of the Safeguarding Board rarely checked whether they were being implemented or effective. Strong leadership and full commitment from partner agencies is essential. We ask that LSCBs have robust governance mechanisms in place to ensure effective monitoring, oversight and regular review of the local response to CSE. This should include well-defined links with other safeguarding children strategies and robust reporting structures between the LSCB and the Community Safety Partnership and Children's Board. Agencies must work together to tackle CSE. While we are encouraged by local arrangements and the progress made by the police, local authorities and other partners that have come together to tackle CSE, partnership working is one area where further work is required. Details: London: Greater London Authority, 2015. 37p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 18, 2016 at: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Confronting%20CSE%20in%20London%20-%20final.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/gla_migrate_files_destination/Confronting%20CSE%20in%20London%20-%20final.pdf Shelf Number: 137878 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareInteragency Cooperation |
Author: Lee, Murray Title: Sexting among young people: Perceptions and practices Summary: The rapid development and adoption of online digital technologies has had a profound effect on the way young people conduct their social relationships. The emergence of sexting, or the distribution of sexually explicit photos and videos, has gained widespread attention and raised moral concerns. However, there remains little policy-relevant research on the prevalence of sexting and its impact on young people. This study provides a valuable contribution to the evidence base. In a survey of over 2,000 respondents, almost half reported having sent a sexual picture or video of themselves to another party, while two-thirds had received a sexual image. Sexting was prevalent among all age groups, with 13 to 15 year olds particularly likely to receive sexual images. Sexting was prominent among homosexual and bisexual respondents. Most sexting occurred between partners in committed relationships. The study found very little evidence of peer pressure or coercion to engage in sexting. Rather, young people reported engaging in the practice as a consensual and enjoyable part of their intimate relationships. The paper considers the implications of this for legal and policy responses to sexting. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2015. 9p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 508: Accessed March 2, 2016 at: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi508.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi508.pdf Shelf Number: 138009 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual exploitationOnline CommunicationsSextingSocial Media |
Author: Fuller, Georgina Title: Non-offending parents as secondary victims of child sexual assault Summary: Informal support systems play an important role in assisting primary victims cope with their experience post-crime. The experience of primary victims can have a vicarious impact on the individuals who comprise these support systems. This research explores the impact of child sexual assault on a sample of 26 non-offending parents, with a particular focus on examining the link between a parent's thoughts and feelings about the assault and their subsequent support of, and assistance to, the primary victim. The results of the qualitative analysis show parents experienced a wide range of negative emotional responses to their child's victimisation, and these reactions may have influenced what support the parent was able to provide. In particular, parents reported feelings of anger, sadness and guilt; they became overprotective and isolated from their children, partners, family, friends and community. The implications of these findings for the treatment and support of parents of victims of child sexual assault are also discussed. Details: Sydney: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2016. 7p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 500: Accessed March 17, 2016 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi500.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/tandi_pdf/tandi500.pdf Shelf Number: 138317 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual AssaultSecondary Victimsv |
Author: South, Sandra Title: Scoping review: Evaluations of pre-employment screening practices for child-related work that aim to prevent child sexual abuse Summary: The aim of this scoping review was to map evaluations of pre-employment screening practices for child-related work that aim to prevent child sexual abuse. It was conducted by the Parenting Research Centre and the University of Melbourne for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. This report describes the methods used to conduct the scoping review and the findings of the scoping review. Methods Systematic searches for existing evaluations of pre-employment screening practices for child-related work that aim to prevent child sexual abuse were conducted using an extensive list of electronic databases and websites, manually searching website publication lists (when no search engine was available) and searching the reference lists of potentially relevant studies. Results were then synthesised across study characteristics, including the methods employed and relevant key findings, and this was followed by a narrative interpretation of findings. Characteristics of the included evaluations Electronic database searches located 1,464 papers after duplicates were removed. A further 186 new papers were identified through website searches, through a concurrent review of child sexual abuse prevention in out-of-home care and via reference list checks. Twenty-five of these 1,650 papers were found to be suitable for inclusion in this scoping review. The 25 relevant evaluations were categorised into three general pragmatic categories of evaluation approaches in order to facilitate an overview of their relevance. They consisted of: 1. 19 retrospective case studies or surveys (including six public or ministerial inquiries) 2. Four qualitative analyses of submissions or hearings 3. Two evaluations of classification tools. The evaluations of the classification tools (category 3 above) found that tools for pre-employment screening that aimed to predict whether individual applicants would be at a high risk of committing sexual offences were neither sufficiently effective nor ethically feasible. As such, these two evaluations were not considered further in this scoping review beyond an explanation as to why such tools are unlikely to be reliable and valid. Evaluations were conducted in Australia, New Zealand, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. Evaluations were located in all the countries identified at the outset of this scoping review as most relevant for the work of the Royal Commission, with the exception of Canada. The target group (that is, the type of employment) addressed most commonly was child-related work, broadly defined. These studies addressed both paid employees and volunteers. Additional target groups included teachers and other private and public school staff, including volunteers; residential care providers or staff at children's homes; volunteers at organisations serving children and/or youth; and foster care providers and other adults who live and/or work in these settings. It is noteworthy that the majority of both the potentially relevant papers and the included evaluations were reports identified through website searches. Thus, the scientific discourse around these practices appears to be largely communicated through governmental and non-governmental agencies' reports (so-called 'grey literature') and to a lesser degree in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Relevant key findings stated by evaluation authors The review team compiled the findings, suggestions and recommendations of evaluation authors in each of the included studies in an effort to present a more nuanced understanding of the studies. These were not screened by the scoping review authors for methodological rigour and should be treated solely as the opinions of the authors, as stated in their evaluations. The authors of many of the included evaluations emphasised that criminal background checks appear to be universally considered as an important component of pre-employment screening practices. However, such statements were almost never made without emphasising the limited effectiveness of using criminal background checks as the only pre-employment screening practice to safeguard children from sexual abuse by staff. Indeed, many concerns were raised regarding factors that limit the feasibility and effectiveness of criminal background checks as a safeguard protecting children from sexual abuse, including (in order of most frequently to least frequently mentioned): - Time delays in the recruitment process due to the time needed to complete a criminal background check and/or the resulting decision to employ a person before the check is complete - The costs associated with conducting criminal background checks - The risk that an applicant may have changed their name, or give a pseudonym or nickname - The need to check for criminal offences in other jurisdictions (such as international or interstate jurisdictions) - The risks posed by those exempt from mandatory criminal background checks (for example, parents who volunteer when their child is present, and other adults who share the home with the caregiver and child) - A lack of reporting, confirmation and, therefore, criminal background checks of other adults who may be living in institutions (including foster or childcare homes) - Issues related to conflicting child protection and child welfare legislation regarding the need for, and actions to be taken based on, criminal background checks - Ethical concerns regarding infringing on a persons right to exoneration, privacy and/or rehabilitation due to sharing information about served, pardoned and quashed criminal convictions. The pre-employment screening practices other than criminal background checks (often referred to as sources of 'soft information' in the literature) that evaluation authors identified as necessary components of a comprehensive pre-employment screening procedure included (in order of most frequently to least frequently mentioned): - Conducting thorough reference checks (for example, those obtained directly from previous employers by asking direct questions about any concerns regarding the applicant's suitability to work with children) - Holding employment interviews that focus on determining the applicant's suitability to work with children (such as value-based interviewing; for more information, see Erooga, 2009) - Checking suspected or substantiated child abuse against other sources of information, such as child-abuse registries, children's court decisions or disciplinary body proceedings - Critically examining an applicant's employment history and/or written application (to identify gaps in their employment history and thus clarify their cause, or to explain ambiguous responses to direct questions about criminal history) - Verifying the applicant's identity using methods such as photo-based documents or fingerprinting - Verifying the applicant's education or qualifications (in order to determine if they are qualified to undertake child-related work). The need for comprehensive pre-employment screening practices was supported and underscored by many case examples where such practices were not followed and, as a result, unsuitable people gained employment in child-related work and went on to sexually abuse the children in their care. That people identified as unsuitable to work with children following pre-employment screening should be disqualified from doing so was implicit in all the literature identified in this scoping review. However, case examples examined in the included evaluations highlight that enforcing employment prohibitions, even in the face of evidence of child sexual abuse, was not always a matter of course. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2014. 58p., app. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/3828bdcb-3689-4011-98a3-d2ebbf277718/Evaluations-of-pre-employment-screening-practices Year: 2014 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/3828bdcb-3689-4011-98a3-d2ebbf277718/Evaluations-of-pre-employment-screening-practices Shelf Number: 138367 Keywords: Background ChecksChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseCriminal BackgroundsPre-Employment Screening |
Author: Atella, Julie Title: Safe Harbor: First Year Evaluation Report Summary: In 2013, the state of Minnesota made the largest state investment in the provision of services for sexually exploited youth nationwide, funding a portion of the No Wrong Door framework. The MDH uses the following working definition of Minor Commercial Sexual Exploitation (MCSE) to inform its work in this area: MCSE occurs when someone under the age of 18 engages in commercial sexual activity. A commercial sexual activity occurs when anything of value or a promise of anything of value (e.g., money, drugs, food, shelter, rent, or higher status in a gang or group) is given to a person by any means in exchange for any type of sexual activity. A third party may or may not be involved. The No Wrong Door model also outlined eight values and philosophies that should inform its implementation: - Since commercial sexually exploited children and youth may not self-identify, it is essential that those who come into contact with children and youth be trained to identify sexual exploitation and know where to refer for services. - Youth who are commercial sexually exploited are victims of a crime. - Victims should not feel afraid, trapped, or isolated. - Services must be trauma-informed and responsive to individual needs (gender-responsive, culturally competent, age-appropriate, and supportive for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth). - Services must be available across the state. - Youth have a right to privacy and self-determination. - Services must be based in positive youth development. - Sexual exploitation can be prevented. The No Wrong Door framework itself was based on the following assumptions, which are meant to guide the framework's implementation. First, whenever possible, existing programs should be used to provide services to victims and service providers must be fully funded to work with victims (including homeless, domestic violence, and sexual assault service providers). Second, when possible, peer and survivor frameworks and supports should be made available to sexually exploited youth. Third, services should be multidisciplinary and coordinated, including law enforcement and service providers working together to identify and serve victims and prosecute traffickers and purchasers. Fourth, holding commercial sexually exploited youth victims in detention is undesirable and should only be accessed for safety purposes if all other safety measures have failed. Lastly, providers working with victims must be screened for criminal offenses to help ensure youth are safe and must have proper experience and training to effectively establish healthy, positive relationships with youth. Details: St. Paul, MN: Wilder Research, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 22, 2016 at: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Safe%20Harbor/Safe%20Harbor%20First%20Year%20Evaluation%202015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United States URL: https://www.wilder.org/Wilder-Research/Publications/Studies/Safe%20Harbor/Safe%20Harbor%20First%20Year%20Evaluation%202015.pdf Shelf Number: 138382 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationVictim Services |
Author: Freiberg, Arie Title: Sentencing for Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Contexts Summary: This report examines sentencing law and practice in Australia in relation to child sexual abuse committed in an institutional context. It covers the principles of sentencing, sentencing standards and the range of non-sentencing statutory measures available to detain offenders in custody, as well as restrictions and monitoring of their movement. It also considers organisational responsibility for CSA and the sanctions that may be imposed upon institutions. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2015. 296p. Source: Internet Resource: Monash University Faculty of Law Legal Studies Research Paper No. 2015/10 : Accessed March 26, 2016 at: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2633223 Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2633223 Shelf Number: 138427 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCorrections-Based Sexual AbuseInstitutional AbuseInstitutional CareSentencingSex Offenders |
Author: Boxall, Hayley Title: Brief review of contemporary sexual offence and child sexual abuse legislation in Australia: 2015 update Summary: In 2013, the Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) was contracted by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Commission) to undertake a review of sexual offence legislation in Australia, particularly as it related to children. This review (Boxall, 2014) contained detailed information about all legislation that had been enacted as at 31 December 2013. Since the initial report was published, a number of states and territories have revised or updated legislation pertaining to sexual offences in Australia. Therefore, in October 2015, the Commission contracted the AIC to update the previous review to encompass all legislation enacted as at 31 December 2015. Any legislative changes made after this date are not included in this review. Key changes that have occurred since 31 December 2013 include; Victoria: changes have been made to the definition of sexual penetration (Crimes Act 1958); inclusion of additional offences including 'failure by a person in authority to protect child from sexual offence' and 'failure to disclose sexual offence committed against child under the age of 16 years' (Crimes Act 1958); New South Wales: Crimes Act 1900 was amended to increase the penalty for 'sexual intercourse - child under 10' from 25 years to life imprisonment; and Australian Capital Territory: Crimes Act 1900 was amended to change the terminology from 'child pornography' to 'child exploitation material' This report provides a brief overview of the offences that an individual who sexually abuses a child in an institutional setting may be charged with at the end of 2015. Information provided for each of the identified offences includes: the location of the offence in the respective state or territory's legislation; the age of the victim (where relevant); aggravating factors - for the purpose of this review, restricted to factors relating to: the age of the child; the relationship between the offender and victim; whether the victim has an intellectual impairment, physical disability or mental illness; and the maximum penalty. The offences included in this review have been divided into a six sections: contact sexual offences where the child is below the legal age of consent (16, 17 or 18 years old depending on the jurisdiction and nature of the sexual act); contact sexual offences where the child is above the legal age of consent; contact sexual offences where the age of the victim is not specified; non-contact sexual offences; child pornography offences (production); and offences for which institutions and/or their representatives that were aware of child sexual abuse may be charged. Consistent with the previous report, only offences related to individuals located within Australia are included in this review. Details: Sydney: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2016. 72p. Source: Internet Resource: AIC Special Report: Accessed March 30, 2016 at: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/010/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation-2015.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://aic.gov.au/media_library/publications/special/010/Brief-review-sex-abuse-legislation-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 138474 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Drew, John Title: An Independent Review of South Yorkshire Police's Handling of Child Sexual Exploitation 1997-2016 Summary: The review was announced in March 2015 by the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Dr Alan Billings, following the publication of reports by Professor Alexis Jay and Louise Casey that highlighted the scale of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, and a BBC report that alleged child sexual exploitation in Sheffield had been ignored by South Yorkshire Police. All this severely damaged public confidence in the Force. The review has been commissioned to look at how the Force has handled reports of child sexual exploitation across the whole of South Yorkshire to ensure that everything that can be reasonably known about the past is known and that matters are now being dealt with in a very different manner. Led by Professor Drew, the report will establish whether South Yorkshire Police has understood and acted upon the findings of reports and inspections into matters of child sexual exploitation. It will also look at whether the Force's response to safeguarding children and young people has been adequate across all districts - Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield. In setting out the Terms of Reference, Dr Billings has considered the scope of other ongoing investigations and inspections by the National Crime Agency (NCA), the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) to avoid unnecessary duplication as well as the ongoing criminal investigations by South Yorkshire Police and pending prosecutions the Crown Prosecution Service. The review launched on 30 September, following a period of scoping, and will last for 3 months. A report will be presented to the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner and will be made public early in 2016. Details: The Author: 2016. 107p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 1, 2016 at: http://www.drewreview.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SYP030-Final-report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.drewreview.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/SYP030-Final-report.pdf Shelf Number: 138523 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationPolice EffectivenessPolice Performance |
Author: Casey, Louise Title: Report of Inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council Summary: Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is not fit for purpose. It is failing in its legal obligation to secure continuous improvement in the way in which it exercises its functions. In particular, it is failing in its duties to protect vulnerable children and young people from harm. This inspection revealed past and present failures to accept, understand and combat the issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), resulting in a lack of support for victims and insufficient action against known perpetrators. The Council's culture is unhealthy: bullying, sexism, suppression and misplaced 'political correctness' have cemented its failures. The Council is currently incapable of tackling its weaknesses, without a sustained intervention. On 26th August 2014 Professor Alexis Jay published an Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation in Rotherham. The report, commissioned by RMBC as a review of its own practices, concluded that over 1400 children had been sexually exploited in Rotherham between 1997 and 2013. The vast majority of the perpetrators were said to be 'Asian' men. In response, on 10th September 2014, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government appointed Louise Casey CB to carry out an inspection of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council (RMBC) under section 10 of the Local Government Act 1999. The inspection would assess the Council's compliance with the requirements of Part 1 of that Act, considering leadership and governance, scrutiny, services for children and young people, taxi and private hire licensing, and whether the council 'overs up' nformation. The inspection team reviewed approximately 7000 documents, looked in detail at case files and met with over 200 people, including current and former staff, council Members, partners, victims and parents. Our investigations revealed: - a council in denial about serious and on-going safeguarding failures - an archaic culture of sexism, bullying and discomfort around race - failure to address past weaknesses, in particular in Children's Social Care - weak and ineffective arrangements for taxi licensing which leave the public at risk - ineffective leadership and management, including political leadership - no shared vision, a partial management team and ineffective liaisons with partners The Council does not use inspection to learn and improve. Members are overly-reliant on officers and do not challenge tenaciously enough to ensure improvements. Meeting and action plans are numerous but unproductive, with a tendency towards inertia. Some Members have not set and modelled the high standards expected of those in public life. Historic concerns around conduct have not been effectively tackled. RMBC has a culture of suppressing bad news and ignoring difficult issues. This culture is deep-rooted; RMBC goes to some length to cover up information and to silence whistle-blowers. RMBC needs a fresh start. Details: London: Department for Communities and Local Government, 2015. 157p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 1, 2016 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401119/46966_Rotherham_Report_PRINT.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/401119/46966_Rotherham_Report_PRINT.pdf Shelf Number: 138525 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Astinova, Mihaela Title: The Crime of Child Pornography: European Legislative and Police Cooperation Initiatives Summary: Records of cases describing illegal contact with children have not been discovered and criticized just recently. Such cases have existed before. The process of development of child pornography has been traced back to 1960's when the crime started to be produced mainly in magazines and films. In 1970's child pornography was acknowledged as an unimaginable threat to children and was criminalized in some countries like England. Nowadays it is obvious that the illegal practices from the past have been developed and continued by transferring the old images along with the new ones to a digital bearer, uploaded and sent from one computer to another, from one country to another via the internet.2 Broadly, the crime of child pornography can be described as any records of sexual activity with children. Those can be photographs, video, written materials or sound files. However, sometimes photographs can be taken independently, and sometimes they can be extracted from video clips or movies. Notwithstanding, the graphic content of the pictures not always shows explicit sexual conduct with children and the collectors may avoid prosecution and conviction. This is dictated by the severity of the content and is further elaborated in the first chapter of the thesis. However, it is clear that production, possession of child pornography and its dissemination for commercial purposes all constitute child abuse and exploitation. In my opinion, however, criminalizing child pornography materials has a preventive function as well in case access to such materials provokes further child abuse and exploitation. It cannot be argued that child pornography has been considered a tremendous problem which nowadays is getting more and more difficult to track. Computers, internet, emails, external storage devices have facilitated the pornography makers to grow in number and hide effectively from the law enforcement agencies. Technology advancement and the proliferation of private computers have made it easy for the offenders to do criminal activities and still hide in the dark.3 Children need access to all new technologies by which to develop their abilities and knowledge. But taking into account the presence of innovative methods for exposure of personal information and data makes them open to injure and difficult to protect from being involved in an irreversible situation such as to become victims of child pornography. The purpose of the thesis is to give an answer to the central research question which is "in what ways do the new European legislation and international police cooperation help combat the proliferation, production and possession of child pornography". All the information and findings in this thesis are based on desk research, aiming to give answers to the following sub-questions in order to understand in detail the central research question: a) What is the current International and European legislation on child pornography? b) What new initiatives does the European Union take in order to facilitate the minimization of the crime and to support the legislative measures? c) What law enforcement mechanisms does the European Law Enforcement agency (Europol) has at its disposal in accordance to this particular crime? d) What operations against child pornography have been conducted? e) What is the outcome of the operations? f) What are the most common obstacles for the teams during joint operations against child pornography offenders and how were they handled? Details: Tilburg, NETH: Tilburg University, 2013. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Thesis: Accessed April 25, 2016 at: http://arno.uvt.nl/show.cgi?fid=133077 Year: 2013 Country: Europe URL: http://arno.uvt.nl/show.cgi?fid=133077 Shelf Number: 138805 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Riggio, Eliana Title: Power, Impunity and Anonymity: Understanding the forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children Summary: Nearly twenty years ago, when the First World Congress against the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children was held in Stockholm, Sweden (August 1996), the problem of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) facing the international community was imputed to a discrete and well characterised group of offenders: profiled as being mainly men; travelling from Western to developing countries; perceived as affected by forms of psychosexual disorders, such as paedophilia; or displaying other pathologically transgressive behaviours. In the short span of only two decades, SEC has exploded to acquire planetary dimensions, with virtually no region, country or social group, age or sexual inclination being spared by a scourge now recognised as one of the most severe and widespread forms of violence against children. As noted with reference to SEC-related analysis in a report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, "the research results exemplify problems that exist in all parts of the world." Today, approaching children for illicit purposes is a highly profitable domestic and international operation, organised on the global market, progressively brokered on the Internet, and supported by powerful criminal networks and businesses. Power imbalance between vulnerable children and abusive adults, impunity and anonymity emerge as the key forces driving the demand for sexual exploitation of children in the rising globalised sex market. While the organisation of the market is global, the demand for SEC is not only international, but also local. In addition to being created by unrelenting flows of travelling perpetrators, demand continues to be generated by local offenders everywhere, as in the case of individuals frequenting commercial sex or entertainment venues where children are available on the fringes, or men buying sex services from children living on the streets in their towns. New information and communication technologies (ICT) appear to be providing unprecedented opportunities to elude controls. In parallel to a stream of people on the move to seek children for sexual exploitation in distant locations, often, circumventing travel agents by booking travel and accommodation online, offenders reach out to their victims via mobile phone and online channels, which distort identities and protect anonymity. As understanding of the demand has deepened, it has become clear that those who engage directly in sexual exploitation of children can be anyone, an indistinct group of offenders that can go largely unnoticed. No longer formed by isolated cases of paedophiles, brutal transgressors, or perpetrators that are completely unknown to the child, demand for SEC may be generated by individuals acting in the circle of trust - a professional, a parent, an educator - making investigation and prosecution even more daunting. It has also been increasingly acknowledged, particularly by civil society organisations and in academic circles, that any strategy aimed to reduce the demand for SEC must necessarily address the complexity of socio-cultural, economic, and political factors that underpin its perpetuation. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2016. 130p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 27, 2016 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/legacy/PowerImpunityandAnonymity.pdf Shelf Number: 139237 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Parenting Research Centre Title: Implementation best practice:A rapid evidence assessment Summary: The purpose of this review is to support the Royal Commissions work in developing recommendations for both preventing institutional child sexual abuse and improving institutional responses to this type of abuse. To do this, the review summarises the evidence for characteristics of implementation best practice. With an understanding of best practice in implementation, the Royal Commission will be able to develop recommendations with the greatest chance of being implemented and having their intended effect. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 143p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 7, 2016 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/3db55367-f556-4337-bed4-41a4055e9b5a/Implementation-Best-Practice Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/3db55367-f556-4337-bed4-41a4055e9b5a/Implementation-Best-Practice Shelf Number: 139307 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Reid, Joan A. Title: A pathway to child sex trafficking in prostitution: The impact of strain and risk-inflating responses Summary: Victims of child sex trafficking in prostitution in the United States are often overlooked, misidentified, and among the most underserved type of child victim of crime. The majority of previous research on child sex trafficking has been conducted without a theoretical framework or reliable sampling methods. In this study, a schematic composed of a series of stepping-stones from childhood abuse to prostitution, which has been described by gendered pathways researchers, served as a sensitizing template for the study's development of a strain-reactive pathway into child sex trafficking. Agnew's general strain theory provided the primary theoretical basis for the proposed pathway, supplying both explanations of the generative factors of the pathway and the mechanisms operating within the life trajectory terminating in child sex trafficking in prostitution. Based on this theoretical framework, this study utilized structural equation modeling to examine the pathway by investigating the effects of caregiver strain, child maltreatment, and risk-inflating responses to strain on vulnerability to victimization in child sex trafficking in prostitution. Four structural equation models, incorporating different forms of child maltreatment, were assessed using data from a matched sample of 174 minority females who were residents of one U.S. city and participated in a longitudinal study on the effects of child sexual abuse. Findings show that the occurrence of child maltreatment including child neglect, child physical abuse, and juvenile sexual victimization increased with caregiver strain. Consequentially, neglected and abused children were more likely to have engaged in the risk-inflating responses of running away and earlier initiation of drug or alcohol use, and they also reported higher levels of relational shame. Both running away and early initiation of substance use impacted vulnerability to victimization in child sex trafficking in prostitution. Lastly, implications of the findings related to protection and intervention strategies that are projected to obstruct the progression of minors along the analytically identified pathway into child sex trafficking in prostitution are presented for criminal justice professionals, child protection investigators, and social service providers. Details: Tampa: University of South Florida, 2010. 250p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed June 28, 2016 at: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2746&context=etd Year: 2010 Country: United States URL: http://scholarcommons.usf.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2746&context=etd Shelf Number: 139524 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Prostitution Child Sex Trafficking Child Sexual AbuseHuman Trafficking Runaways |
Author: Florida. Legislature. Office of Program Policy Analysis & Government Accountability Title: Placement Challenges Persist for Child Victims of Commercial Sexual Exploitation; Questions Regarding Effective Interventions and Outcomes Remain, Summary: A total of 264 verified commercial sexual exploitation child victims (CSE children) were identified in calendar year 2015, more than the 170 identified from July 2013 through December 2014. CSE children are to be placed and served in specialized residential programs, such as safe houses and safe foster homes. However, there are a limited number of these beds and provider criteria exclude some children. Providers report that they deliver consistent statutorily-required services to children, and the Department of Children and Families (DCF) is conducting a review of literature to identify effective interventions for CSE children. Many CSE children we identified in our previous report had since been re-victimized, involved with the criminal justice system, or only attended school intermittently. State agencies, including DCF and the Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ), continue working to better identify CSE children through community awareness, training, better information system tracking, and a new screening tool. The Human Trafficking Screening Tool has been released for use but concerns exist; DCF and DJJ should prioritize getting feedback on the screening tool and validating it. Details: Tallahassee: OPPAGA, 2016. 35p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 25, 2016 at: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/1604rpt.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United States URL: http://www.oppaga.state.fl.us/MonitorDocs/Reports/pdf/1604rpt.pdf Shelf Number: 139841 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHuman Trafficking |
Author: Goodman-Delahunty, Jane Title: Jury reasoning in joint and separate trials of institutional child sexual abuse: An empirical study Summary: This report forms part of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse's research program in relation to the criminal justice system's response to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Child sex offenders are not a homogenous group and their offending behaviours vary widely. Offenders may offend against one victim or many victims, and they may engage in one incident of sexual abuse or multiple repeated incidents. The diversity and complexity of offending behaviours has a number of implications for the prosecution of child sex offenders. The scope of this report This study investigated the extent to which joint trials with cross-admissible tendency evidence infringed defendants' rights, and the extent to which joint trials posed a risk of unfair prejudice to the defendant. In particular, we investigated the reasoning processes of juries in a simulated joint trial of sex offences involving three complainants versus a separate trial involving a single complainant. Our jury deliberation and reasoning study investigated these issues by presenting 10 different versions of a videotaped trial involving the same core evidence to a total of 1,029 jury-eligible mock jurors. The study tested the impact of evidence strength, the number of charges and the presence of specific judicial directions on jury decision-making in joint versus separate trials. The five key aims of the project were to: 1. Document juries' interpretation of cross-admissible evidence in a joint child sexual abuse trial, to determine the extent to which juries engage in impermissible reasoning regarding such evidence Compare the above decision-making processes with those of juries in a separate trial involving the same defendant 3. Compare trial outcomes (acquittal, conviction or hung jury) in a joint versus separate trial involving the same defendant 4. Examine the relationship between jurors' misconceptions about child sexual abuse, jury deliberations and decisions, and trial outcomes 5. Determine the effect of question trail use on juries' reasoning and decisions. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 376p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 28, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b268080d-599a-4d44-a9c5-c3f8181bae96/Jury-reasoning-in-joint-trials-of-institutional-ch Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b268080d-599a-4d44-a9c5-c3f8181bae96/Jury-reasoning-in-joint-trials-of-institutional-ch Shelf Number: 139863 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCriminal EvidenceCriminal TrialsJurorsJury Decision-MakingSex Offenders |
Author: Bolitho, Jane Title: The Use and Effectiveness of Restorative Justice in Criminal Justice Systems Following Child Sexual Abuse or Comparable Harms Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse has commissioned an international literature review to examine the research evidence on the use, justification and effectiveness of restorative justice approaches in relation to child sexual abuse, and any problems or concerns arising, particularly in relation to institutional and non-familial child sexual abuse. As this report informs the Commission's criminal justice project, it focuses on restorative justice approaches used within criminal justice systems. This report presents the results of a brief review of international literature and addresses four main areas, which are: - the extent to which restorative justice is currently used in cases of institutional child sexual abuse and other child sexual abuse (or arguably, comparable areas such as adult sexual or personal violence offences, or child-related crimes, to the extent they may inform possible approaches to child sexual abuse or institutional child sexual abuse) - the empirical evidence (if any) to support using restorative justice for child sexual abuse (or comparable areas) - associated issues and criticisms - particular considerations or implications for institutional child sexual abuse. Details: Sydney: University of New South Wales, 2016. 77p. Source: Internet Resource: Report for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: Accessed July 28, 2016 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/9f328928-a343-4c65-b98e-94e3185894c7/Restorative-justice-following-child-sexual-abuse-o Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/9f328928-a343-4c65-b98e-94e3185894c7/Restorative-justice-following-child-sexual-abuse-o Shelf Number: 139864 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseRestorative JusticeSex Offenders |
Author: Chaudhuri, Eliana Riggio Title: Thematic Report: Unrecognised Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children in Child, Early and Forced Marriage Summary: When girls attain sexual maturity, their vulnerability to sexual violence rises, along with parental apprehension about their safety. Especially in traditional and poor communities where girls' roles are often expected to be that of mothers and wives, puberty may coincide with school dropout and early marriage. Parents who marry their children before they reach legal age are typically motivated by predetermined social and sexual norms, low value attached to daughters, poverty or humanitarian crises. Confronted with social pressure and family hardship, they may seek in marriage a form of protection to shield their he implications of CEFM for human and social development have been placed in sharper focus in recent years, with concern especially growing for the violation of sexual and reproductive rights suffered by underage child brides and mothers, who are more prone to experiencing maternal and child mortality and malnutrition, as well as sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS. As its significant ramifications for the survival, adequate growth and healthy development of children have been increasingly appreciated, more limited attention has been paid to the violation of the entire range of child rights to ascertain how prematurely entering a marital union increases overall vulnerability. To contribute to filling persisting gaps in knowledge and awareness, ECPAT International and Plan International have endeavoured to investigate the impact of child marriage on child protection, analysing, in particular, the various forms that sexual abuse and exploitation of children take in the context of such a universally revered social institution. Sexual violence suffered in early marriage is arguably one of the most severe levels of violation experienced by victims of a set of other rights infringements. Deciding if, when and whom to marry is one of the most important life choices a person can make. It is also a fundamental human right. International law recognises that CEFM is a harmful practice and a serious human rights violation. While child marriage is outlawed in most countries of the world, legal provisions are widely unknown, ignored or unenforced. As efforts have been progressively mounting to address sexist gender norms and behaviours, encourage school education, especially for girls, build national birth and marriage registration systems and strengthen law enforcement mechanisms to ensure that marriage is entered into only by consenting adults, there is still a need to understand in further depth the effects of marriage on children's safety, balanced development and emotional wellbeing. This thematic report aims to contribute to deepening the appreciation of the interconnections linking CEFM to sexual abuse and exploitation of children, also of a commercial nature. It proposes a conceptual framework through which to analytically examine the various forms children from of sexual violence being perpetrated in the context of early marriage. CEFM is an important constituent in the continuum of harm affecting adolescent girls. It forces girls to live in sexually threatening environments, engage in premature regular sexual activity, and often become victims of physical, psychological, emotional and sexual abuse by their husbands and his family members. In addition to serious reproductive and sexual health consequences, such as unwanted pregnancies and higher exposure to sexually transmitted infections, girl children suffer deep psychological trauma, even displaying symptoms of child sexual abuse and post- traumatic stress. Multiple pregnancies, restricted access to education and income generation opportunities, enforced social seclusion, early widowhood and abandonment are common consequences of child marriage, trapping survivors in a cycle of sexual exploitation and violence that may continue for the rest of their lives. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2015. 108p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 3, 2016 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Child%20Marriage_ENG.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Child%20Marriage_ENG.pdf Shelf Number: 139962 Keywords: Child MarriageChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Cameron, Genevieve Title: Child Sexual Exploitation: A study of international comparisons Summary: The issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) has been the focus of intense discussion, debate and intervention in the UK in recent years. At a summit in March 2015, the Prime Minister described CSE as a 'national threat', and announced that child sexual abuse will be given the same priority by the police as serious and organised crime. A number of high profile cases of CSE have all received national attention, with a series of inquiries, reports and research into what went wrong in local and national systems, how the abuse could have been prevented, and how victims could be better supported in future. This report presents a rapid desk review of international comparisons of CSE, aiming to explore: How is Child Sexual Exploitation defined in selected countries? To what extent is there consistency in the response of public agencies around the world? What can the UK learn from experience elsewhere? Details: Nottingham, UK: Virtual Staff College, 2015. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 6, 2016 at: http://www.virtualstaffcollege.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/CSE_main_final_publish_1.0.pdf Year: 2015 Country: International URL: http://www.virtualstaffcollege.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/CSE_main_final_publish_1.0.pdf Shelf Number: 140024 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Children's Commissioner for England Title: Barnahus: Improving the Response to Child Sexual Abuse in England Summary: In England, it is estimated that only 1 in 8 victims of child sexual abuse are identified by the authorities 1 . Children who disclose that they have been sexually abused face multiple interviews with social workers, the police and medical professionals in a variety of settings. Interviews are often the only source of evidence in sexual abuse cases, yet for many children the interviews led by the police do not enable them to provide the best possible evidence 2 . Repeat interviews can be confusing and cause children, particularly young children, to give inconsistent evidence which, i n many cases, will lead to the perpetrator not be ing charged. Children can be traumatised by having to giv e an account of their abuse to multiple professionals in multiple locations . They can also then face long waiting list s to access specialist therapeutic support 3 . The current system is not child - centred, and does not achiev e the best results, either for children or the criminal justice system . We have identified a possible way forward in the Barnahus (childr e n 's house) model in use in Iceland. Since its introduction in 1998 , the Barnahus has delivered compelling results - a trebling of the number of perpetrators charged, a doubling of the number of convictions, and better therapeutic outcomes for children and their families. T his paper outlines the potential of the model for substantially improving the response to child sexual abuse in England. Details: London: Children's Commissioner for England, 2016. 12p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 25, 2016 at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Barnahus%20-%20Improving%20the%20response%20to%20child%20sexual%20abuse%20in%20England.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Barnahus%20-%20Improving%20the%20response%20to%20child%20sexual%20abuse%20in%20England.pdf Shelf Number: 140029 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Cashmore, Judy Title: The Impact of Delayed Reporting on the Prosecution and Outcomes of Child Sexual Abuse Cases Summary: This report examines how the criminal justice systems in New South Wales and South Australia deal with complaints of child sexual abuse reported to the police in childhood compared with those in which the report is delayed until adulthood, which is often referred to as historical child sexual abuse. The research investigates the trends in delayed disclosure and reporting of child sexual abuse, and maps the prosecution process and outcomes associated with varying degrees of delay in reporting to the police, together with other case characteristics such as the age of the complainant victim, and the relationship between the complainant and the alleged offender. RESEARCH QUESTIONS The research focuses on the following questions: 1. What are the trends in recorded reports to police of historical child sexual abuse over a recent 20-year period compared with reports made during childhood in two Australian states - New South Wales and South Australia? 2. What are the trends in the number of prosecutions of cases of historical child sexual abuse over a recent 20-year period compared with child sexual abuse reported during childhood in two Australian states? 3. What factors - including characteristics of the complainant, the type of offence, the relationship between the complainant and the alleged offender, and the delay in reporting to police - are associated with the matter proceeding from a report to the police to prosecution? 4. What is the likelihood of cases reported in childhood and in adulthood resulting in conviction? 5. What factors (as above) are associated with the matter resulting in a conviction or not, and a custodial or other type of sentence? 6. Is there any difference in the rate of appeals, the grounds of appeals, and the outcome of appeals in cases in New South Wales: o where there are delayed complaints compared with cases reported in childhood? o that involved 'institutional' child sexual abuse compared with intra-familial cases of abuse and other extra-familial cases? Details: Sydney: University of Sydney Law School; Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 311p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 7, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/e3312f1c-d58f-490d-a467-221684c050c9/The-impact-of-delayed-reporting-on-the-prosecution Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/e3312f1c-d58f-490d-a467-221684c050c9/The-impact-of-delayed-reporting-on-the-prosecution Shelf Number: 147893 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseProsecutionSex Offenders |
Author: Moore, Tim Title: Our Safety Counts: Children and Young People's Perceptions of Safety and Institutional Responses to their Safety Concerns Summary: This report has been published by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. It attempts to better understand children and young people's perceptions of safety within institutions, and their views on how adults and institutions are responding to their safety needs. It is not a prevalence study and does not attempt to quantify the extent to which children and young people have encountered abuse. Instead, it asks them to consider how they, adults and institutions currently demonstrate that they are safe; and the ways they believe adults and institutions act and would act to keep them safe if they were in a situation where their safety was compromised. Details: Melbourne: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University, 2016. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/614b6cc6-ab14-495b-8ce0-ce2e1d3a8c19/Our-safety-counts Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/614b6cc6-ab14-495b-8ce0-ce2e1d3a8c19/Our-safety-counts Shelf Number: 140299 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Bochkor, N.P. Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Ukraine Summary: How did Ukraine appear in the list of countries where commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is common? It is difficult to answer, because the problem is hidden and its reasons are comprehensive. Ukraine does not have a chance to solve the problem before it is thoroughly studied. The study "Sexual exploitation of children in Ukraine: situation and counteraction" was conducted by the authors of International Women's Rights Center "La Strada-Ukraine". This work is a part of a global study on sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in 15 countries within the framework of the project initiated by ECPAT - Netherlands. The aim of the study is to analyze the current situation with sexual exploitation and violence against children, especially in tourism, pornography, prostitution, trafficking and early marriages, and also develop recommendations to improve it. The study used a variety of methods, such as statistical, sociological, comparative and legal study, empirical methods. One of the basic principles of the study is the respect to children's rights according to the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Despite the fact that children at first sight often seem to provide sex-services voluntarily, the responsibility lies on the adult who exploits a child by engaging in sexual activities and violates child rights. Other important principles of the study are non-discrimination, equality, human rights approach, and child and youth participation. The research uses the following sources of information: content analysis of the web sites, analysis of legislation and administrative documents of state authorities, secondary analysis of information, desk-research of the related studies conducted in Ukraine. For example, data used for the content analysis consists of different texts obtained online by establishing specific searching parameters. The sample included texts that are topically related to combinations of the following key words: "Ukraine," "sex," "tourism," "women," "dating," "tour," "children," "girls." Furthermore, snowball sampling was used to obtain relevant texts; hypertext links provided access to related articles and comments. The vast majority of studied texts are in English. Publications and reports which were prepared in Ukraine during the last five years were analyzed. Among them - Annual Human Rights Report "Human rights in Ukraine" in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 prepared by nongovernmental organizations; researches conducted by different institutions on the request of UNICEF Ukraine; reports of the Ombudsman for Children under the President of Ukraine etc. Special attention was paid to the desk research of the materials and texts of sociological and criminological studies such as "Child sex tourism in Ukraine: attempt of situational analysis", "Where and how can be assisted victims of domestic abuse? Results of the monitoring of special institutions", "Legal Study to identify inconsistencies between Ukraine national legislation and provisions of the Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child", publications of ECPAT International etc. The research uses findings of the following publications: "Scientific and practical comment to the Law of Ukraine on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings", "Correspondence of Ukrainian legislation to the provisions of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings". Moreover, the research analyzes anti-trafficking legislation and experience of its implementation, as well as the legislation against sexual exploitation of children and experience of its practical implementation. Analysis also focused at activities against sexual exploitation of children and assistance to them initiated by civil society and international organizations. The study was conducted when Ukraine was facing the difficult times. Hostile aggression against Ukraine took place immediately after the Revolution of Dignity, and the East of the country is in the state of undeclared war actively supported by the Russian Federation. The deterioration of the social and economic status, activity of illegal armed groups, destroyed system of social protection in Donets and Luhansk oblasts, including protection of children, lead to the increasing problem with sexual exploitation of children. The survey among experts allows assuming that in current social and political situation CSEC might become more urgent, and estimating the impact of the military conflict and its consequences. At the end, there are some recommendations to legislation, activities of related state agencies and local authorities, international and civil society organizations. Details: La Strada Ukraine, 2015. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Ukraine URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-UKRAINE.pdf Shelf Number: 147885 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: International Childrens Center (ICC) Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Turkey Summary: Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) is one of the most heinous forms of child rights violations in in the world including in Turkey. While, in Turkey, national and local reports and studies mostly focus on sexual abuse of children, findings related to commercial sexual exploitation of children are extremely limited. There is almost no publication on this issue that contains evidence based information with the exception of few recent doctoral dissertations, reports by civil society organizations submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child under the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Pornography, a study conducted by the ECPAT International and Yeniden Saglik Association in 2006 and annual rights monitoring reports of the Human Rights Association. One reason for this scarcity is the fact that what CSEC consists of is not understood well and that the offence mostly takes the form of an underground activity committed by criminal enterprises difficult to spot. This report explores only one form of CSEC in Turkey as a contribution to a global study conducted by ECPAT International and its members all over the world Details: Ankara, Turkey: ICC, 2015. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Turkey URL: file:///C:/Users/pschultze/Downloads/3.-SECTT-TURKEY.pdf Shelf Number: 140303 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Solian, Ahmad Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Indonesia Summary: GLOBAL STUDY ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN IN TRAVEL AND TOURISM COUNTRY-SPECIFIC REPORT INDONESIA Indonesia is one of the world's major tourism destinations. It attracts millions of tourists every year from all over the world, including many local visitors. The high tourism rate in Indonesia is influenced by easy access to its nationwide tourist attractions, high volume of flights and cheap accommodation. The rising number of both local and foreign visitors has led to an increased demand for entertainment facilities, most notably in the sex trade. Research on child sex tourism in Indonesia conducted by ECPAT Indonesia found that, on the whole, Indonesia did not recognise or offer sex tourism in its popular destinations, although many manipulated the tourism industry to sexually exploit children. Details: Jakarta, Indonesia: ECPAT Indonesia, 2016. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Year: 2016 Country: Indonesia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/category/countries/Indonesia/ Shelf Number: 140304 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Maskhulia, Mariam Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Georgia Summary: The Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF) conducted a qualitative research on Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in Georgia (CSEC), which contributed to the Global Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism (SECTT) that ECPAT International is currently undertaking. Implementation of the research was possible in the frames of the project "Reducing Violence against Children, with special focus on sexual exploitation of children and child sex tourism", which is carried out by PHF in partnership with Defence for Children - ECPAT Nederland. The research aimed at exploring the situation of children who are victims or at-risk of commercial sexual exploitation, social context in which such exploitations take place and what are the legal protections put in place to address the problem. Toward this end, twophase interventions were implemented. The first phase covered the desk-review process. In the second phase in-depth interviews with practitioners and decisionmakers, who work for and with children, were carried out and focus-group discussions were also held. The research found out that very little attention is given to CSEC, except the trafficking where extensive measures have been put in place both on legal and victims' protection levels. However, other manifestations of CSEC, such as child prostitution, child pornography and exploitation of children in travel and tourism have not yet deserved sufficient attention. This is a very first attempt to examine the CSEC nature in Georgia. Given research provides a general overview of the problem in Georgia and gathers opinions from child protection experts. It is believed that this report will serve as a pushing factor for further relevant and immediate actions to be undertaken in this direction towards going more into depth of the problem and setting up meaningful and feasible actions that will be carried out by responsible agencies in coordination. Unfortunately, children's protection from various manifestations of commercial sexual exploitation and sexual abuse is weak in much of the world despite the universal ratification of the CRC. Often, a harmonized legal framework is not accompanied by necessary EXECUTIVE SUMMARY changes to ensure implementation of effective policies, public awareness raising/prevention programs, professional training, services and practice. The nature of programmatic responses to child protection focus more on intervention than prevention, addressing the symptoms rather than improving the underlying systems that have failed to protect children. Taking into account the long-term consequences of commercial sexual exploitation of children, one could estimate why this issue is of current importance and why we should contribute to the protection of children from all its manifestations. Bearing in mind the gravity of CSEC crimes and its impact on children globally, the Committee on the Rights of the Child elaborated a separate Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (hereinafter "OPSC" or "Optional Protocol"). Also comprehensive regional instrument was enacted to protect children from all forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, namely Council of Europe Convention on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (hereinafter "Lanzarote Convention"). There are number of measures and action plans developed on the global level, which call on states to undertake specific measures towards combating CSEC, particularly: The Stockholm Declaration and Agenda for Action, Yokohama and Rio World Congresses and call for global commitment. All children are at risk of violence, but the Global Survey confirms that today, as in 2006, the most vulnerable children are those at greatest risk of violence: those with disabilities, those who migrate, those who are confined to institutions, and those whose poverty and social exclusion expose them to deprivation, neglect and, at times, to the inherent dangers of life on the streets. The major problem of CSEC is its hidden nature. Nonreporting is the greatest challenge, which triggers numerous problems for the victims and their future life and unfortunately these life-long problems cannot be evaluated to understand the actual devastation of individual's lives across the universe. Georgian society is also facing the problem of non-reporting. The majority of the pull and push factors to CSEC unfortunately exist in Georgia thus provides ground to believe that the issue is more severe than it seems in reality. The ground for prioritizing CSEC exists in Georgia; however a political will is necessary to integrate this problem into the mainstream of relevant child protection and welfare policies and appropriate action plans. Unfortunately, no information is available on the situation of children from the separatist regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. What is known that rule of law and social protection of local population is quite weak, which raises sufficient doubt that children from these regions are likely to be affected by all forms of violence and exploitation. Summary of key findings: - There is a lack of evidence-based information on CSEC in Georgia, thus making it extremely difficult to provide substantial analysis of the issue; - The biggest challenge and the utmost need is that CSEC is not acknowledged as a problem in Georgia and efforts are directed towards combating trafficking in persons, while all other manifestations of CSEC are not sufficiently addressed; - There are some measures against sexual violence but under the boarder context of violence against children and specific measures for sexual abuse or CSEC are very limited or do not exist at all; - Child professionals in Georgia do not have special knowledge how to address the needs of children who are engaged in prostitution and services, social benefits and support programs offered by the Government or NGOs cannot 'compete' with lifestyle pursued by these children; - The average age of child's engagement in prostitution is 14-15 years and unplanned pregnancy among these children is common; - Professionals who work with children come into contact with children engaged in prostitution indirectly, i.e. interact with children who live or work on the streets in terms of fulfilling their basic needs, and not because of their engagement in prostitution; - Professionals necessitate knowledge not only in how to identify children affected by various forms of CSEC, but how to work with those who are already engaged in prostitution, are victim of child pornography, etc. This is a request of the professionals who see child prostitution as a problem, but do not have specialised knowledge and skills on the issue; - Preventive measures "not enough" and reporting mechanisms inadequate for responding CSEC needs; - There is a problem with the enforcement of CSEC-specific legislation and practice does not properly ensure rights of child to protection and rehabilitation. Details: Tbilisi, Georgia: Public Health Foundation of Georgia (PHF), 2015. 64. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Georgia URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-GEORGIA.pdf Shelf Number: 147887 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Pruneda, Olalla Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: China Summary: China is home to 274 million children, the second largest child population in the world. Over the past three decades, the country has experienced remarkable progress in poverty alleviation and living standards, including the realisation of universal access to primary education and a drastic reduction in child mortality. However, growing regional disparities and migration are having a great impact on the lives of more than 100 million Chinese children today. Of them, 36 million have migrated to the cities with their parents with no right to education or health care services in the urban areas where they live. Meanwhile, nearly 70 million of them have become the so-called "left-behind children", in the care of relatives in their home villages. Away from the protection of their parents or unable to register as legal residents of China's cities, they are the most vulnerable children in China today, running the risk of being trafficked, sexually exploited or dragged into other forms of forced labour. With 14 per cent of the world's children, the "high prevalence of sexual exploitation and abuse against children, including rape" in China is an issue of paramount importance for all concerned with children's wellbeing. In the midst of China's outstanding economic growth and the resulting deep social transformations, a new trend is emerging which places new challenges for the protection of children. It is the growth of China's domestic tourism market and the country's consolidation as the fastest-growing tourism source market on a global scale. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Today nearly one in ten tourists in the world is Chinese. All forecasts suggest that the growing trend will continue over the next few years and "will surely continue to change the map of world tourism", in the words of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai. Chinese travellers are the biggest spenders globally since 2012. Neighbouring countries and regions are expected to remain as the preferred destinations for Chinese tourists in the coming years, with Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Thailand and Taiwan leading the way at present. Within China, domestic travel spending (90.9 per cent) is far more important than foreign visitor spending (9.1 per cent). Furthermore, the economic weight of the domestic tourism and travel sector keeps growing, generating 9.3 per cent of its GDP and employing 64.4 million Chinese in 2013.9 Tourism development is mostly taking place in ethnic minority regions such as Yunnan, Sichuan and Tibet, drawing on the folklorisation of these groups by representing them as an 'exotic' other. In the light of this ethnic tourism trend, the local population of ethnic minority areas appear to pin their hopes of further economic development on the increasing arrival of urban Han Chinese. The conflation of these trends with growing regional disparities, which are leading hundreds of millions to move to China's cities and industrial areas in search of a better job, create an unprecedented challenge to ensure the protection of children's rights. In addition, a traditional preference for sons has resulted in a skewed sex ratio of 118 boys born for every 100 girls as of 2014. As a result of this preference and the in 2015 abolished one-child policy, Chinas population appears to be "aging and increasingly male". This seems to suggest that the demand for prostitution and forced marriages will most likely keep increasing over the coming decades. With the country's economic growth, its entertainment industry has developed rapidly on the more developed eastern coast of the country as well as in tourist spots across the country. China's business culture involves frequenting entertainment venues as a necessary step in building trust among business partners. The presence of teenagers in entertainment venues where sex services are offered to tourists and travellers seems a recurrent problem as Chinese society sees an erosion of the family values rooted in the Confucian tradition. However, we still have very limited data on the magnitude and features of this growing problem in China. Further research is needed to better understand who are the children most adversely affected, who are the offenders and how they operate, as well as what else can be done to enhance the protection of children's rights. In early 2015, important steps are being taken to remove the stigmatising "soliciting underage prostitution" crime to replace it for statutory rape. However, the Criminal Law still makes no specific reference to the crime of facilitating the prostitution of boys under 18 or girls between 14 and 18 years of age. This report aims to shed new light on the heinous crime of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism in China and by Chinese travellers abroad by reviewing research conducted to date by academics, governments, international organisations and NGOs. It hopes to help identify the gaps of what we know about this phenomenon at present in order to encourage further research and improve existing laws and policies to better protect children and ensure their recovery and reintegration. It is our shared responsibility. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2015. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: China URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-CHINA.pdf Shelf Number: 147888 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: ECPAT Brazil Title: Global Study on Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tourism. County-Specific Report: Brazil Summary: People who have suffered from the enduring societal scourge of sexual exploitation of children (SEC) have urgently and tirelessly campaigned alongside advocates to eradicate SEC and the sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism (SECTT) while never forgetting the devastating impact the phenomenon reaps upon nations, communities, families and the children themselves. In Brazil, modern-day slavery and child labour are rampant. Many have raised concerns as to the effects of mega sports events on the commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) in a country already facing such challenges. As is well-known, Brazil was home to the FIFA World Cup in 2014 and is about to be host to the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games this year. With the surging number of tourists and travellers - tourism in Brazil tripled in June 2014, when the World Cup took place -, members of civil society organisations feared that more children would be at a greater risk in certain areas of the country. Despite acknowledging that perhaps no increase in CSEC was registered, improvements in this area have not been achieved either . Furthermore, the development and expansion of the internet has facilitated travel while granting anonymity to a growing number of sexual exploitation networks, enabling them to develop new ways to escape identification by existing protection systems. Details: Rio de Janeiro: ECPAT Brazil, 2015. 60p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 15, 2016 at: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Brazil URL: http://globalstudysectt.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/3.-SECTT-BRAZIL.pdf Shelf Number: 140307 Keywords: Child LaborChild PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSex Tourism |
Author: Thomas, Menna Title: 'I Never Spoke About it'...Supporting sexually exploited boys and young men in Wales Summary: This qualitative research draws primarily on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 42 professionals working across Wales. A focus group was however carried out with 20 young people involved in a junior safeguarding board, four of whom were boys who had been sexually exploited. An adult survivor of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation participated in an in-depth interview. Interviews with professionals The research sample of professionals was drawn from the community of personnel working most closely with high risk groups of boys and young men across the four police force areas in Wales. The interviews were conducted face to face or over the phone. The aim was to interview a representative sample of professionals working in the following sectors: - the police, - social services, - education, - sexual health services, - substance misuse services, - youth offending teams, - homelessness services, - advocacy services, - family support services, - equalities organisations - specialist services addressing; child sexual exploitation (CSE), harmful sexual behaviour (HSB). It was possible to cover all these sectors in two of the four police force areas. In the other two areas we carried out a small number of interviews with professionals who did not fit with our original target group, but who clearly had a valid and important contribution to make, such as those working in projects supporting sex workers. Interviews focussed on: - roles and responsibilities relating to young people with experience/ at risk of CSE - the SERAF assessment tool and how this is used to identify risk for boys and young men - perceptions of the features of male CSE - perceptions of how male experience of CSE compares to female experience - perceptions of risk factors for boys and young men - barriers and facilitators to identifying and engaging with at-risk boys or those with experience of CSE. Accessing the views of those with experience of child sexual exploitation (CSE) We originally aimed to interview between six and fifteen boys and young men aged between 16 and 25, who had experience of being at risk of, or involved in, CSE. This proved very difficult to achieve. The highly sensitive nature of the issue, and the low number of boys identified and referred to services, meant that even where boys were being worked with they were reluctant to engage in research interviews, or professionals working with them decided that they were too vulnerable. We approached the following services seeking the participation of boys: - Barnardo's Cymru specialist CSE and HSB services, and services working with care leavers and homeless young people - substance misuse services working with young people across Wales - private residential care organisations across Wales - an LGBTQ (lesbian gay bisexual trans questioning) service for young people When this resulted in no individuals coming forward to participate, we approached organisations who worked with young people in groups, and organisations working with vulnerable adults. These included adult substance misuse services and homeless support services in one Welsh city, and two children's organisations working with vulnerable young people in groups. The outcome of this was that we were able to engage, via a focus group, with 20 young people, both boys and girls, aged between 10 and 18, who were part of a junior safeguarding board. This group included at least four boys who had been sexually exploited, though as researchers we were not aware of their identity. It also included a girl who had been sexually exploited, and who made herself known to us. We were also contacted through an adult substance misuse service by a young adult survivor of sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse. The following issues were addressed in the interview and the focus group: - the ways a vulnerable or at-risk boy might present, and what professionals should look out for in boys - perceptions of any differences between the way boys and girls experience CSE - ideas about what approaches or environments might feel safe enough for boys to start talking about these issues - experiences boys and young men may have had of being well supported - perceptions of barriers to getting help - information and support boys might need to help them keep safe in relationships The ethical protocol for the research was approved by the Barnardo's Research Ethics Committee (BREC). Further information about the methodology and ethical protocol are included in the appendix. Summary of key findings and recommendations Key findings - Negative experiences of care and family life are known to create vulnerabilities which can lead to a higher risk of sexual exploitation as children become adolescents, for boys as well as girls. - There is concern among professionals that there may be more complacency when teenage boys go missing compared to girls, and that this explains discrepancies in reporting patterns. - Boys' routes into sexual exploitation are complicated and difficult to identify, as they are often closely aligned to criminal behaviour and/or substance misuse. - Boys can be groomed into sexual exploitation by older men, older women, and their peers, of both genders. Boys are at risk of being groomed online. - There is evidence that sexual stereotypes often play a part in the interpretation of boys' behaviour, with negative behaviour being taken at face value and not explored, or understood, as a potential response to trauma, as is more likely to be the case with girls. - Professionals are more likely to view boys as aggressors rather than victims, based on their behaviour. - There is evidence that professionals do not give some CSE risk indicators the same weight for boys as they do for girls. - Boys are viewed as being more resistant than girls to recognising and accepting that they have been sexually exploited. For this reason, it was the experience of support workers that boys needed more time to establish trusting relationships with them. - Some boys are keenly affected by sexual stereotypes, and require a practice approach which actively avoids further disempowerment. - Heterosexual boys who have been exploited by males can experience confusion about their sexuality which induces guilt, fear and distress. This can represent a significant barrier to disclosure and seeking help. - Gay, bisexual or questioning boys who are made vulnerable through discrimination within their homes and communities can be at risk of entering same-sex relationships which are exploitative. - Boys with learning disabilities which reduce their ability to understand new or complex information, learn new skills and to cope independently are at increased risk of sexual exploitation. - CSE is currently viewed as an offence primarily affecting girls and young women, and this is a barrier to the identification of boys at risk of, or experiencing, CSE Details: SANDS Cymru, The Wallich, Caer Las, Umbrella Gwent, Wales: Barnardo's, 2016 Source: Internet Resource: Accessed September 23, 2016 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17595_bs_i_never_spoke_about_it_cse_report_e.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/17595_bs_i_never_spoke_about_it_cse_report_e.pdf Shelf Number: 140437 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale Sexual ExploitationSex Offenses |
Author: Smallbone, Stephen Title: Preventing Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse in West Cairns and Aurukun: Establishing the scope, dimensions and dynamics of the problem Summary: he Queensland Government recognises every child's right to feel safe and free from harm. In 2012 the Department of Premier and Cabinet commissioned Griffith University to examine Youth Sexual Violence and Abuse in West Cairns and Aurukun. The results of this examination highlighted evidence of youth sexual violence and abuse and the risks for the future. As a result, the Queensland Government has committed to taking positive action focused on the prevention of youth sexual violence and abuse in Queensland. Details: Brisbane: Griffith University, 2013. 61p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2016 at: https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/programs/ysv-report.pdf Year: 2013 Country: Australia URL: https://www.datsip.qld.gov.au/resources/datsima/programs/ysv-report.pdf Shelf Number: 147816 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSexual AbuseSexual Assault |
Author: Kaufman, Keith Title: Risk profiles for institutional child sexual abuse: a literature review Summary: The Royal Commission commissioned this literature review to synthesise international evidence regarding risk and protective factors related to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Risk and protective factors are considered in relation to three primary review areas of institutional child sexual abuse: victims, perpetrators and institutional settings. Literature review methodology The methodology for this review was built on the Royal Commission's broad definition of institutional child sexual abuse as provided in its terms of reference which includes but is not limited to schools, sporting clubs, children's services, foster care, residential care facilities, religious organisations, and government organisations. The first step in the review process was to identify a wide range of relevant search terms. The authors developed a preliminary list of search terms and circulated it among experts in the United States (US), the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia to solicit additional terms. A similar process was conducted to identify databases that would yield the most relevant articles for this review. After feedback, the authors developed final lists of search terms and databases for use in this literature review. Simultaneous, independent literature reviews of each of five identified areas were conducted using the final search terms. These reviews were conducted by the authors' project team, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (Australia), the National Child Advocacy Center (US), the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (US) and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (UK). The reviews focused on scientific research literature as well as 'grey literature' such as reports, inquiries, evaluations and dissertations. Pertinent documents identified in the reviews were also closely examined for references to literature that could be included in this project. The project team created brief summaries of each pertinent article, which were used by the authors to craft the various sections of the literature review. Article summaries were also used to develop critiques for each section and recommendations for future directions related to each sub-topic, as well as to create an overall review. Royal Commission staff members reviewed the draft review document and made suggestions for revisions, which were made by the primary authors. The nature of the reviewed literature This review yielded more than 400 relevant documents, primarily comprising research studies from professional journals. The literature was not only distributed across the three key review areas of victim, perpetrator and institution, but also further divided across six specific types of institutional setting including faith-based settings; early childhood education, care and schools; healthcare; out-of-home care; sport; and public inquiries and case reviews. The identified documents are best described as a series of related literature with limited integration. In particular, the documents specific to victim, perpetrator and institution are quite distinct, with little overlap and minimal cross-referencing. Additionally, articles describing child sexual abuse in various types of institutional setting are also highly 'siloed'. The separate nature of these research sub-areas is an important dimension for understanding the strengths and weaknesses of the available literature on child sexual abuse in institutions. Findings The following section highlights the big-picture findings regarding risk and protective factors pertinent to victims, perpetrators and institutions, as well as the role of prevention of institutional child sexual abuse. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 133p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 14, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/399a6b99-aa14-449e-bf6d-2d5d5beb773f/Risk-profiles-for-institutional-child-sexual-abuse Year: 2016 Country: International URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/399a6b99-aa14-449e-bf6d-2d5d5beb773f/Risk-profiles-for-institutional-child-sexual-abuse Shelf Number: 144808 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Ampong, George Oppong Title: A study on violence against children with special focus on sexual exploitation and child sex tourism in Ghana. Summary: The study was conducted in eighteen (18) communities in the Kumasi-Mampong Metropolis in the Ashanti Region of Ghana and focuses on four thematic areas of violence against children: the forms of violence; prevalence rate of violence; the effect of violence against children; and existing protective mechanisms of violence against children. The report "A study on violence against children with special focus on sexual exploitation and child sex tourism in Ghana" provides opportunity for evidence-based advocacy on violence against children at the local communities, district, national, regional and international levels in terms of policy, programme, action and strategic initiatives Details: Defence for Children, Ghana; Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, 2016. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 19, 2016 at: https://issuu.com/defenceforchildren/docs/violence_against_children_report_-_ Year: 2016 Country: Ghana URL: https://issuu.com/defenceforchildren/docs/violence_against_children_report_-_ Shelf Number: 145379 Keywords: Child Sex TourismChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationViolence against Childre |
Author: Saramad, Mohammad Hossein Title: Causes and Consequences of Bachabazi in Afghanistan (National Inquiry Report) Summary: Children are one of the most vulnerable groups of society, but the children of Afghanistan are more vulnerable than other children due to various reasons such as lack of support mechanisms, extreme poverty, low level of public education and other social, economic and cultural causes. Afghan children are faced with serious threats like kidnapping, trafficking, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, drug addiction, murder, beatings because of continued armed conflict, insecurity, hard labor and forced recruitment into armed groups, exclusion and deprivation of the right to education, health and recreation It must be said that attempts have been made for the protection and promotion of children's rights, and these efforts have resulted in some achievements, but these efforts have not been effective enough anyway. Based on its legal mandates, the AIHRC launched a national inquiry on causes and negative consequences of Bacha Bazi (pederasty) in Afghanistan. The findings of this National Inquiry are obtained through interviews with perpetrators as well as with victims of this phenomena, local elites and witnesses of this practice. This National Inquiry attended by about 1900 people, including members of the provincial councils, representatives of institutions of justice, elders, experts, academics, representatives of civil society organizations and the media, security organs, religious scholars and the elders from the 14 provinces of the country. Bacha Bazi is not clearly defined in the Afghan laws and there is no specific provision about it. Since this action is a kind of child sexual exploitation and abuse, it is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution and other enforced laws in our country But article 427 of the Criminal Law prohibits rape and pederasty (with male and female) and states that the perpetrators shall be sentenced to long term imprisonment The AIHRC's findings show that 56% of perpetrators of Bacha Bazi aged 31 to 50 years, and most victims are children below the age of 18 years. The spread and expansion of Bacha Bazi in Afghanistan has several factors and causes, such as lack of rule of law and corruption, ambiguity and gaps in the law, limited access to justice, poverty, insecurity, and existence of irresponsible armed groups has contributed to the spread of these phenomena. In conclusion specific recommendations have been presented to the government and civil society institutions concerning criminalization of Bacha Bazi, identification of patterns of Bacha Bazi in the country, detention and prosecution of the perpetrators of Bacha Bazi, restoration of the mental health of victimized children, fighting the culture of impunity and strengthening the spirit of respect for human rights and accountability in security detective and judicial organs in the country, conduction of training programs. Details: Kabul: Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission, 2014. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 26, 2016 at: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5694c3db4.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Afghanistan URL: http://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5694c3db4.pdf Shelf Number: 146027 Keywords: child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMale Victims |
Author: National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children Title: Vulnerability up Close: An exploratory study into the vulnerability of children to human trafficking Summary: he National Rapporteur is concerned about the position of Roma children, Syrian child brides and children living illegally in the Netherlands who are required to work in households. In 'Vulnerability up close', Corinne Dettmeijer observes that too little attention is devoted to the situation of these groups of children from the perspective of human trafficking. 'As a result, there is a risk that human trafficking occurring within these groups is not being seen.' The National Rapporteur investigated the potential vulnerability to human trafficking of seven groups of children. She is concerned about the position of some Roma children. I have found that some Roma children are forced to steal on the street,' she says. 'This is a form of criminal exploitation, but it is not always treated as such. The child is arrested and punished as a criminal, but what is forgotten is that he or she may have been forced to commit crimes. The public prosecution service, the police and the municipalities must be better prepared to deal with that.'' Child marriages In the report, the Rapporteur also observes that child marriages occur in the Netherlands. The report looks at the situation of Syrian child brides, children who have travelled from Syria, often with an older man. Approximately 60 child brides arrived in the Netherlands between September 2015 and January 2016. ‘The absence of specific measures makes Syrian child brides vulnerable not only to human trafficking, but also to sexual violence,’ says the National Rapporteur. 'These girls often find themselves socially isolated, which means that any abuse and exploitation can continue for a long time. There is a risk that they will eventually become domestic slaves or hidden women.' Within the Roma community, there are children who are forced into marriage. The Rapporteur investigated the relationship between these arranged child marriages and human trafficking and sexual violence against children. 'At the moment there is no active policy designed to tackle forced marriages of children under criminal law. The National Rapporteur is concerned about that because parents who arrange these marriages could be breaking various laws. Despite the growing attention devoted to the position of children in these marriages in recent years, there have been no real consequences.' In her report, the National Rapporteur recommends greater use of criminal-law sanctions to address this problem. 'Forcing children to marry and then creating a setting in which they are required to have sex must not be permitted. The policy of the Public Prosecution Service should be geared far more to bringing prosecutions in these situations.' Specific approach needed In the report published today, the National Rapporteur investigated the vulnerability to human trafficking of seven groups of children. In addition to the aforementioned groups, the study also explored the situation of children in the LHBT community, children with the eating disorder anorexia nervosa, children who join or wish to join ISIS and children who work in the production chains of large companies. The Rapporteur also investigated children living illegally in the Netherlands who are required to perform domestic work, a group that Corinne Dettmeijer regards as 'very vulnerable' but about whom little is known. 'In the cases I investigated the children had often been exploited for years in the Netherlands and although there had been a number of occasions when the child had social contact, no alarm bells had ever gone off.' Details: The Hague: National Rapporteur, 2016. 123p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 2, 2016 at: https://www.dutchrapporteur.nl/binaries/Vulnerability%20up%20Close_interactive_National%20Rapporteur%20on%20Trafficking%20in%20Human%20Beings%20and%20Sexual%20Violence%20against%20Children_tcm24-128353.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Netherlands URL: https://www.dutchrapporteur.nl/binaries/Vulnerability%20up%20Close_interactive_National%20Rapporteur%20on%20Trafficking%20in%20Human%20Beings%20and%20Sexual%20Violence%20against%20Children_tcm24-128353.pdf Shelf Number: 140992 Keywords: Child Marriage Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation Child Trafficking Human Trafficking Roma Community |
Author: National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children Title: Child Sexual Abuse on Trial. Part 1: The Cases Summary: Sexual abuse of children is present in multiple differing forms, so it is impossible to sketch a profile of the typical child molester. Clearly, however, the popular image of a child molester is not supported by the facts. Contrary to the stereotype of the offender as a stranger, the perpetrators of hands-on sexual abuse of children are usually known to the victim: a family member, friend or acquaintance. Furthermore, it is not only adults that commit the abuse: one in six offenders is a minor. The assumption impression that perpetrators often abuse many victims also needs to be rectified: most offenders are convicted of abusing a single child. National Rapporteur Corinne Dettmeijer: 'It is one of the greatest fears of parents that their child will one day be the victim of sexual abuse. Many parents warn their children about child molesters and are on their guard with respect to contact between their child and the man at the day-care centre or the swimming pool, for example. To focus so much on strangers and men who work with children is to overlook a great many victims and offenders.' The study shows that only a small proportion of victims (7%) are abused by a total stranger. In the vast majority of cases, the perpetrator is a member of the victim's own family or circle of friends and acquaintances. Abuse by a person who works with children, such as a teacher, a sports coach or a babysitter certainly occurs, but only in a minority of cases (10%). The abuse is most often committed by a person who is very close to the victim. In no fewer than 36% of cases, for example, the perpetrator is a member of the child's family. The nature of the abuse This first part of the study focuses on the nature of the abuse and the characteristics of the perpetrators and victims in the cases that were analysed. Almost nine out of ten of the convictions involved serious sexual abuse, including touching of the genitals and penetration. In most cases, the abuse did not occur just once: in more than three-quarters of the cases the abuse had continued for more than one day, over periods ranging from a few days to twelve years. More than one in ten victims suffered the abuse for a period of four years or longer. Most perpetrators abuse a single victim The National Rapporteur refutes the stereotypical impression that perpetrators have more than one victim: 78% of the perpetrators were convicted of sexual abuse of a single victim. The offenders varied greatly in age, from minors to the very elderly. One in six offenders was a minor at the time he or she committed the offence. There were practically no female perpetrators in the study. In 97% of the cases studied, the convicted offenders were men. Victims are usually girls The study also provides insight into the victims of child sexual abuse. In most cases (85%), the victim was a girl. The average age of the victims when the abuse began was 10.4 years. Scarcely any of the victims in the judgments that were studied were below the age of four. Research and follow-up The study was based on a sample taken from almost 600 judgments in 2012 and 2013 in which an offender was convicted of hands-on abuse of a child. The sample comprised 182 perpetrators. The charges in the cases were brought under the following articles of the Dutch Criminal Code: Article 244 DCC (sexual penetration of a child under the age of twelve); Article 245 DCC (sexual penetration of a child between the ages of twelve and sixteen); Article 247 (indecent acts with a child under the age of 16) Article 249(1) (indecent acts with a minor entrusted to the offender's care). Details: The Hague: National Rapporteur, 2016. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2016 at: https://www.dutchrapporteur.nl/binaries/bnrm-child-sexual-abuse-on-trial-def_tcm64-623336_tcm24-56551.PDF Year: 2016 Country: Netherlands URL: https://www.dutchrapporteur.nl/binaries/bnrm-child-sexual-abuse-on-trial-def_tcm64-623336_tcm24-56551.PDF Shelf Number: 145002 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseRapeSex Offenders |
Author: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Title: Violence Against Children in Haiti: Findings from a National Survey 2012 Summary: The 2012 Violence against Children Survey (VACS) in Haiti is the first national survey of violence against children in the Republic of Haiti. Implemented in June of 2012 the VACS is a nationally representative household survey of females and males 13 to 24 years of age that is based on a three–stage cluster design that yields separate estimates of experiences of sexual, physical, and emotional violence prior to age 18 years for both females and males in Haiti. The survey incorporated standard enumeration areas, known as Section d'Enumération (SDE), as well as the internally displaced persons (IDP) living in camps/tent settlements resulting from the 2010 earthquake. There were a total of 2916 completed interviews: 1457 females with an overall response rate 85.6% and 1459 males with overall response rate 82.0%. The primary purpose of the survey was to estimate the (1) lifetime prevalence of childhood violence, defined as violence occurring before 18 years of age and (2) prevalence of childhood violence in the 12 months prior to the survey among 13 to 17 year olds. The survey included a short questionnaire for an adult in the household to build rapport with the family and to determine current socio-economics of the household. The respondent questionnaire for 13 to 24 year olds includes the following topics: demographics; socioeconomic status; parental relations; education; general connectedness to family, friends, and community; marital status; domestic servitude; displacement following the January 2010 earthquake; sexual behavior and practices; sex in exchange for money or goods; pregnancy; HIV/ AIDS testing; experiences of physical, emotional, and sexual violence; health outcomes associated with exposure to violence; and utilization and barriers to services. The findings from the survey indicate that violence against children is a serious problem in Haiti: 1 out of 4 females and 1 out of 5 males in Haiti have experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to the age of 18 years. In addition, almost two-thirds of both females and males experienced physical violence prior to 18 years by an adult household members or authority figures in the community and approximately one-third experienced emotional violence during childhood (i.e., prior to turning 18) by an adult household member. The results of this survey have significant implications for the design and implementation of Haitian specific prevention and response programs and policies to address abuse and violence against children. The 2012 VACS Haiti would not have been possible without the partnership and collaboration between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Interuniversity Institute for Research and Development (INURED), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Multi-Sectoral Task Force known as the Comité de Coordination (CC), and Together for Girls Partnership. The guidance and creation of the CC, which includes representation from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Ministry of Public Health and Population, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, Ministry of Women's Affairs and Women's Rights, Institute of Social Welfare and Research, Brigade for the Protection of Minors, and other key governmental and non–governmental partners, was critical to the survey’s success. KEY FINDINGS Prevalence of Violence against Children Sexual violence (sexual abuse and exploitation) experienced in childhood: One out of 4 females aged 13 to 24 years in Haiti experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse before turning 18 years of age. Among males in the same age group, 1 out of 5 experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to the age of 18. Among those who experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to age 18 years, 69.5% of females and 85.4% of males had multiple incidents (i.e., two or more incidents) of sexual abuse. The most common form of sexual abuse experienced by both females and males before the age of 18 was unwanted sexual touching, followed by unwanted attempted sex. Of those who had their first sexual intercourse prior to age 18, 1 out of 5 females and 1 out of 10 males experienced their first sexual intercourse as unwilling, meaning that they were forced or coerced to engage in sexual intercourse. In the 12 months preceding the survey, nearly 1 out of 5 females and 1 out of 10 males aged 13 to 17 years experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse. About 4% of females and 7% of males received money, food, gifts, or other favors in exchange for sex prior to age 18 years. Physical violence experienced in childhood: Almost two-thirds of both females and males aged 18 to 24 years in Haiti experienced physical violence by adult household members or authority figures in the community, such as teachers, prior to the age of 18 years. Approximately one-third of females and males aged 13 to 17 years experienced physical violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Ninety percent of females and 85.7% of males aged 13–17 years perceived that their most recent experience of physical violence by an adult household member or authority figure in the past 12 months was intended as disciplinary action or punishment. Emotional violence experienced in childhood: Approximately one-third of both females and males in Haiti experienced emotional violence by an adult household member prior to turning 18 years of age. Nearly thirty percent (27.8%) of females and 16.2% of males aged 13 to 17 years experienced emotional violence by an adult household member in the 12 months preceding the survey. Overlap of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Violence in Childhood Sexual, physical, and emotional violence commonly overlapped in childhood in Haiti. One-third of females and one out of 4 males aged 13 to 24 years experienced multiple types of violence prior to age 18. Females were significantly more likely to experience multiple forms of violence during childhood than males. Perpetrators of Violence against Children Perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse: Boyfriends or romantic partners followed by friends or classmates, neighbors, and strangers were the most frequent perpetrators of first incidents of child sexual abuse. Among males of similar age, friends or classmates followed by girlfriends or romantic partners were the most frequently reported perpetrators of first incidents of childhood sexual abuse. More than three quarters of females and approximately one-third of males who experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18 reported that the perpetrator of their first incident of abuse was at least 5 years older than they were at the time of the incident. Perpetrators of childhood physical violence: Among 18–24 year olds who experienced physical violence before turning 18 by an adult household member or an authority figure in the community, approximately 6 out of 10 females and males experienced at least one incident of child physical violence by a mother and/or father. In the same group more than 8 out of 10 females and males that had experienced physical violence had at least one incident of physical violence that was perpetrated by a teacher, more commonly a male teacher. Similar patterns of perpetration were observed among 13–17 year olds who experienced physical violence in the 12 months prior to the survey. Perpetrators of childhood emotional violence: Among 18–24 year olds who had any incidents of emotional abuse prior to age 18, approximately 4 out of 10 females and males experienced at least one incident of child emotional violence by a mother. Furthermore, approximately one-third of both females and males in this same group experienced at least once incident of child emotional violence by a father. Among females 13–17 year olds who had any incidents of emotional abuse in 12 months prior to the survey, more than half experienced emotional violence by a mother. Context of Childhood Sexual Violence Against Children Where the sexual abuse occurred: Almost 6 out of 10 of both females and males who had experienced sexual violence prior to age 18 indicated that at least one of their experiences of sexual abuse took place in their own home or tent, or the home or tent of the perpetrator. The most common location, however, for both females and males was their own home or tent. About 1 in 5, 18–24 year old females reported an incident occurred on a road. Among 13–17 year old females and males the most common location for the most recent incident of sexual abuse occurring during the last year was on a road. Childhood Domestic Servitude and Violence Childhood domestic servitude was significantly associated with experiencing sexual and emotional violence prior to age 18 among both females and males aged 18 to 24 years. Among 13–17 year olds, female domestic servants were significantly more likely than peers who were not servants to have experienced sexual and physical violence in the preceding 12 months, while emotional violence was more likely in both male and female domestic servants. Sexual Abuse Among Displaced Populations Approximately a quarter of 13 to 24 year olds were displaced or moved due to the earthquake. Not all of those who were displaced moved to camps. About 1 in 5 respondents lived in a camp or resettled area following the earthquake in 2010 for any period of time. Overall, displacement following the earthquake was not associated with experiencing sexual abuse subsequent to the earthquake among females aged 13–24. However, females aged 13–24 years displaced into or living in camps or tent settlements specifically, were significantly more likely to have experienced sexual abuse after the earthquake as compared to all females aged 13–24 years, displaced or not, who were not living in camps or tent settlements. Surprisingly, for males aged 13–24 displacement following the earthquake was protective of sexual abuse subsequent to the earthquake and living in camps or tent settlements was not associated with an increased risk of sexual abuse. Service Uptake for Violence Approximately 6 out of 10 females and 4 out of 10 males aged 18 to 24 years who experienced child sexual abuse prior to age 18 years told someone about an incident of sexual abuse. Only 1 out of 10 females and 1 out of 15 males who experienced sexual abuse prior to age 18 received any professional services of any kind, including medical, mental health, legal, or protection services, for the sexual abuse. Approximately 1 out of 10 females and males who experienced physical violence prior to age 18 received any professional services of any kind for an incident of physical violence. Health Outcomes of Sexual, Physical, and Emotional Violence Females aged 18–24 years who experienced any sexual abuse or any physical or emotional violence prior to age 18 were more likely to have been diagnosed or have had symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) as compared to those who did not experience any of these incidents. Furthermore, females who experienced child emotional violence were also more likely to have ever experienced suicidal ideation. Sixteen percent of females who experienced unwanted completed sex prior to age 18 became pregnant as a result of at least one of the incidents. Males who experienced any emotional violence prior to age 18 were more likely to ever experience suicidal ideation as well as to have been diagnosed with or have had symptoms of an STI as compared to those who did not experience emotional violence. Females aged 13–17 who experienced sexual abuse in the past year reported significantly higher rates of drinking alcohol, suicidal ideation, and diagnoses or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections as compared to those who did not experience sexual violence. In addition, females aged 13–17 who experienced physical or emotional violence in the past year were significantly more likely to report serious mental distress than those who did not experience either type of violence. The experience of emotional violence among females aged 13–17 was also significantly associated with suicidal ideation and having a diagnoses or symptoms of sexually transmitted infections when compared to those who did not experience emotional violence. Sexual Abuse and HIV/AIDS Testing Knowledge and Testing Behaviors Approximately two-thirds of females aged 18–24 years who experienced any sexual abuse prior to age 18 knew where to go for an HIV test, however, less than half were ever tested. Among males of similar age, half of those who experienced any sexual abuse prior to age 18 knew where to go for an HIV test and only 1 out of 10 were ever tested. Violence and Sexual Risk Taking Behavior The study examined the prevalence of sexual risk taking behaviors in the 12 months prior to the survey among 19 to 24 year olds and their association with childhood violence in order to ensure exposure to childhood violence preceded involvement in sexual risk taking behavior. Over a third (36.4%) of sexually active females aged 19–24 years who experienced child sexual abuse had multiple sex partners in the past 12 months compared to 29.4% of 19–24 year old females who had not experienced child sexual abuse. Females aged 19–24 years who experienced child physical violence were more likely to have received gifts, food, or favors in exchange for sex during the past 12 months compared to those who had not experienced child physical violence. Females aged 19–24 years who experienced childhood emotional violence were more likely to use condoms infrequently in the last 12 months compared to those who had not experienced childhood emotional violence. Attitudes towards Spousal Violence and the Role of Gender in Sexual Practices and Intimate Partner Violence Nearly half of all females and 2 out of 5 of males aged 13–17 years believed that a man is justified in hitting or beating his wife if she goes out without telling him, if she neglects the children, if she argues with him, if she refuses to have sex with him, or if she burns the food. More than half of females and males aged 13–17 years believed that it is men who should decide when to have sex, that men need more sex than women, that men need other women, that women who carry condoms are "loose", or that women should tolerate violence in order to keep their family together. Details: Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014. 192p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 3, 2016 at: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/violence-haiti.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Haiti URL: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/violence-haiti.pdf Shelf Number: 144993 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseSexual ViolenceViolence against Children |
Author: Mathews, Ben Title: Scoping study for research into the prevalence of child abuse in Australia Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) is inquiring into how institutions have engaged with and responded to allegations and instances of institutional child sexual abuse. Key to this inquiry is the need to generate an understanding of the extent of child sexual abuse in Australia. Determining the prevalence of child sexual abuse, and institutional child sexual abuse in particular, provides valuable contextual information to inform the work of the Royal Commission. While thousands of people have come forward to testify in private and public sessions, it is not known whether these victims/survivors are representative of the population of victims of child abuse, how the prevalence and type of abuse has changed over the decades, or what effect past policies have had in addressing these issues. In response to this gap in the knowledge base, the Royal Commission appointed a team of researchers to scope the research design, methodology, cost and governance structure of two studies investigating the prevalence of child maltreatment in Australia, including the prevalence of institutional child sexual abuse. The first study would estimate the prevalence of child maltreatment in a representative sample of Australian adults, while the second study would estimate the prevalence among Australian young people. The Royal Commission specified research questions to guide the study's scope (definitions of abuse, institution, age group), design of the study instrument (use of existing surveys, considering the context of maltreatment and prior victimisation), study methodology (sampling, sub-populations, recruitment, ethics), analysis (sample size, sample size of sub-populations, ethics), governance and costs. In commissioning this research, the Royal Commission provided four research options for each of the two studies (see Appendix A). These can be considered on a continuum of specificity: Option 1 – to estimate the prevalence of child sexual abuse in institutional and all contexts, and to explore the nature and context of child sexual abuse. Option 2 – identical to Option 1, with the addition of estimating the prevalence of physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to family violence (but without exploring the nature and context of any of these, or health outcomes) Option 3 – identical to Option 2, with the addition of exploring the nature and context of these other forms of maltreatment, although this is limited to situations in which the additional maltreatment is accompanied by institutional sexual abuse. Option 4 – to estimate the prevalence of all five forms of child maltreatment (child sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and exposure to family violence), including their prevalence within institutional contexts, the nature and context of each form of maltreatment, and the impacts of child sexual abuse such as their effect on mental and physical health. Details: Sydney: Social Policy Research Centre, University of New South Wales Australia, 2016. 262p. Source: Internet Resource: Prepared for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse : Accessed November 3, 2016 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b9494a15-80b0-4af4-b496-2eb7ef9929af/Scoping-study-for-research-into-prevalence-of-chil Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b9494a15-80b0-4af4-b496-2eb7ef9929af/Scoping-study-for-research-into-prevalence-of-chil Shelf Number: 145316 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual Abuse |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: Evaluation of Safe Choices/PSNI Co-Located Pilot Initiative Summary: In 2012, Barnardo's Safe Choices service and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) commenced a 20 month pilot initiative in which a specialist missing/child sexual exploitation (CSE) senior practitioner was co-located with a police Missing and Vulnerable Persons Officer (MVPO) in a Public Protection Unit (PPU) in a Belfast police station. The pilot initiative was developed in response to accumulated learning about the need for, and benefits of, multi-agency working in the fields of missing and CSE, and the specific contribution that co-location can make to the effective facilitation of this (Jago and Pearce 2008; DCSF 2009; Beckett 2011; Jago et al 2011). This report presents the findings of an externally commissioned evaluation of this pilot initiative, undertaken by 'The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking' at the University of Bedfordshire. The evaluation was small-scale in nature, focusing on high level outcomes and process learning, rather than any detailed assessment of benefits to individual stakeholders engaged in the pilot initiative. That said, the triangulated approach adopted enables evidence-informed commentary on the benefits delivered to various stakeholder groups and the procedural and contextual factors that facilitated or hindered effective delivery of these benefits. The report commences with an overview of the pilot initiative and the anticipated outcomes identified by the project partners. These provide the core framework for the evaluation and consequently the structure of the report. Before reporting on outcome delivery, an overview of the evaluative approach is presented, alongside a commentary on the challenges experienced within this and the implications of these for the commentary contained within this report. The report proceeds with an overview of the identified benefits of the pilot initiative, presented by the stakeholder cohort: the project partners, young people, parents/carers and colleagues from other professions. It concludes with an exploration of potential barriers and enablers and associated learning for future similar endeavours. Details: Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2014. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 8, 2016 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/sc_pilot_initiative_revised_evaluation_report.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/sc_pilot_initiative_revised_evaluation_report.pdf Shelf Number: 146282 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMissing Children |
Author: Llewellyn Gwynnyth Title: Disability and Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Context Summary: Children and young people with disability are often absent in discussions about child sexual abuse as people with disability are left out of discussions about violence, abuse and neglect. This is due in part to individuals with disability being excluded from society, hidden away in institutions or in family homes. Community attitudes contribute to and are informed by the fact that people with disability, including children, are often seen in segregated, special and demeaning settings. This situation is changing slowly. People with disability are taking their rightful place as citizens actively contributing to and increasingly benefiting from all that our society has to offer. Segregation and exclusion in closed institutional contexts away from public scrutiny leaves children (and adults) with disability at heightened risk of violence and harm including sexual abuse. Further, when children with disability are stereotyped as dependent and passive and unable to 'speak up', they are at heightened vulnerability to being segregated, abused, overlooked and not heard. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse recognised early on the likely particular vulnerabilities of children with disability and the institutional contexts which they encounter. This commissioned discussion paper set out to provide a reasoned analysis of the historical, social and policy context surrounding children with disability and to examine the evidence about prevalence and prevention of sexual abuse of children with disability in institutional contexts. To achieve this aim we proceeded iteratively and conceptually, drawing on our expertise and cumulative experience of over 60 years in disability, child and family studies, and care and protection. We used reports, submissions, position papers and scientific literature in Australia to analyse past approaches to children with disability and the present context of the changing nature of disability services in Australia. While the paper draws from materials that are relevant to Australia as a whole, some documents from New South Wales are used to illustrate specific points. Just as children and young people with disability are rarely present in discussions about sexual abuse, they are also remarkably absent from Australian literature on this subject. This is a major failing: we do not know the extent of sexual abuse of Australian children with disability. We therefore turned to international literature to identify prevalence figures and to examine the interactions between impairment and environment and their potential influence on the risk of sexual abuse. We found that internationally there is no clearly developed evidence base for the prevalence and risk of sexual abuse of children with disability. We provide an analysis and critique of international prevalence and risk figures and the application of these in the Australian context. Quality of care and safeguarding processes form the basis of the disability reform agenda in Australia and also of the incoming market approach to specialist support and service delivery, which relies on mainstreaming, and building inclusive and accessible communities. This has led to debate on possible fail-safe governance mechanisms and prevention strategies, although with remarkably less focus on children and young people with disability. There is an absence of empirical data in Australia on strategies to prevent sexual abuse of children with disability in institutional contexts. Again, we turned to the international literature to source information on relevant key factors. We approached this from a public health perspective that recognises the need to implement both population-based and targeted interventions. In this discussion paper we argue the need to put aside the community perception that disability is embedded within the child. This is not the official understanding of disability in Australia. Instead, disability is understood as arising from interactions between individuals with impairment and the various barriers that may hinder (their) full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This understanding comes from the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). We adhere to the key frameworks of the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child (CROC) and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). These international covenants require that children with disability are considered as children first, with disability considered as only one feature and not the defining feature of their everyday lives. We also present an analysis and critique of the available literature on prevention of sexual abuse, noting the pitfalls in assuming a ‘special group’ approach to children with disability or a broad-brush approach to diversity. The human rights perspective is embedded within Australian legislation and policy directives in disability. It provides an excellent foundation to ensure that children with disability and their rights are more visible and to give them the same priority as other children. This is essential to ensure children with disability are safe in institutional contexts in the future. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 98p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 28, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/0f4f0eb9-2a04-4f5b-967d-6e658a5db53c/Disability-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-institutional Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/0f4f0eb9-2a04-4f5b-967d-6e658a5db53c/Disability-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-institutional Shelf Number: 147909 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseDisabilities |
Author: Allnock, Debra Title: Exploring the relationship between neglect and adult-perpetrated intrafamilial child sexual abuse: Evidence Scope 2 Summary: This scope aims to explore the relationship between neglect and intra-familial child sexual abuse (IFCSA). Current approaches to the study of child abuse and neglect increasingly highlight the weaknesses in solely focusing on single forms of harm in understanding prevention, identification, impact and overcoming maltreatment and victimisation. While not all children experience multiple forms of harm, the recent literature clustered under areas of study such as ‘poly-victimisation’ (Finkelhor, Ormrod and Turner, 2007), multiple adversities (Davidson, Bunting and Webb, 2012), adverse childhood experiences , multitype maltreatment (Higgins and McCabe, 2001) and revictimisation (Classen, Palesh and Aggarwal, 2005) draw attention to the cumulative nature of harm for a significant group of other children and young people. Researchers in these areas assert the importance of understanding the full victimisation profiles of children and young people in order to address the cumulative impacts of harm comprehensively. This literature has importantly highlighted the complexity of children's victimisation but is in the early phases of describing the factors that may explain these complex experiences. Neglect is one of the most common forms of child maltreatment. In England 43% of child protection plans are initiated in response to identified neglect (Department for Education, 2015a) and in other UK nations neglect is the most common reason for children being on the child protection register (Jütte et al, 2015)2 . Cases recorded in child protection systems are likely to be merely the tip of the iceberg, however; many more cases fall below the threshold for criminal intervention (Dickens, 2007) and Radford et al's general population study (2011) found neglect was the most common form of maltreatment reported within the family. The most recent triennial review of serious case reviews (SCRs)3 found that, of the 175 SCRs reviewed in detail, neglect was a factor in 62% of all cases of non-fatal harm and in 52% of cases where a child had died (Sidebotham et al, 2016). Despite its significance, neglect is one of the least researched areas of maltreatment (see Allnock, forthcoming; Stoltenborgh, BakermansKranenburg and van IJzendoorn, 2013; Stoltenborgh et al, 2015). Oral evidence submitted to the Children's Commissioner’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment suggests there may be considerable numbers of children who are identified as experiencing neglect where there are additional concerns around sexual abuse in the family environment (Children’s Commissioner, 2015). It is imperative, then, to think critically about the overlap between neglect and IFCSA and to ask questions of our practice and policy in this regard. Although the evidence is complex, and in some cases lacking altogether, it is important to understand co-occurrence and to think about ways of supporting families to ensure that perpetrators find fewer opportunities to target and abuse children. The scope’s areas of focus and structure This scope is the second of three linked evidence scopes commissioned by Action for Children and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) with Research in Practice. Scope 1 considers the potential relationship between neglect and child sexual exploitation (CSE) (Hanson, 2016); Scope 3 considers the potential relationship between neglect and harmful sexual behaviours (Hackett, 2016). This scope explores three key questions: 1) Do neglect and intra-familial child sexual abuse cooccur? And if so, to what extent? 2) How might features, types and impacts of neglect increase the vulnerability of children and young people to perpetrator methods of targeting, grooming, abusing and silencing children in the family environment? 3) How might IFCSA contribute to neglect? The focus on neglect and IFCSA in this scope does not seek to locate blame for IFCSA within individual parents (and in particular mothers, which is too often the case in the discourse about neglect) and within parenting styles/behaviours (particularly mothers' parenting styles/ behaviours). Such an approach would deflect responsibility away from the perpetrator, without whom there would be no abuse in the first place. Moreover, focusing on individual parents (mothers) would be at the expense of recognising the wider social determinants of neglect, including the ‘wide range of adverse experiences’ associated with what Hooper et al (2006) call 'societal neglect'. These points will be returned to in more detail later in the scope. Additional points to note in relation to this scope include: > The focus of this scope is on concurrent experiences of neglect and IFCSA. (Scope 1 focuses on the relationship with neglect and additional separate forms of victimisation through CSE.) > The focus of this scope is on adult-perpetrated IFCSA. (Scope 3 focuses on the relationship between neglect and harmful sexual behaviours in children and young people, touching briefly on sibling-abuse.) > There is particular emphasis on the specific emotional harm associated with betrayal by a parent, guardian or other family member. This is why the focus of this scope is on the relationship with the perpetrator, rather than the setting in which abuse takes place. > The scope focuses on concurrent experiences of neglect and IFCSA across childhood to adolescence, recognising that neither IFCSA nor neglect is confined to early childhood. > This scope is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the literature; rather it is intended to begin to interrogate these associations and raise questions where relevant about the nature of these forms of harm. Constraints of the current evidence base Very few (almost no) studies were identified that specifically considered neglect and IFCSA. There are also other important limitations to the research evidence considered for this scope (these are described more fully in Appendix A). First, there are very few prospective longitudinal studies on child maltreatment, either in the UK or abroad, and it is these that would provide the best evidence for a link between neglect and IFCSA. Second, despite neglect being the most commonly reported form of maltreatment, research on CSA is far more prevalent than on neglect. Third, research studies have historically focused on one form of abuse only; while studies acknowledging overlapping forms of abuse and adversity are now emerging, this remains an early field of study. Finally, studies on neglect and CSA use varying definitions and measurements of neglect, which makes it difficult to draw comparisons, and studies commonly do not distinguish between IFCSA and other forms of CSA. Despite these limitations, however, there is enough information in the separate literature bases (on neglect and CSA) to begin some commentary on possible ways in which neglect may increase a child’s vulnerability to IFCSA, and how IFCSA might contribute to increased risk of neglect. Details: Totnes, Devon, UK: Research in Practice, 2016. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/neglect-intrafamilial-child-sexual-abuse-evidence-scope-2.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/neglect-intrafamilial-child-sexual-abuse-evidence-scope-2.pdf Shelf Number: 147939 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationFamily Violence |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: Mapping the therapeutic services for sexual abuse in the UK in 2015 Summary: About the mapping exercise 1. The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Violence at the University of Bedfordshire was commissioned by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) to undertake a mapping exercise – across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland - of therapeutic services for children and young people who have experienced any form of child sexual abuse (CSA), including child sexual exploitation (CSE). This mapping exercise was intended to be an update, and facilitate a comparative analysis with the 2007 audit. However, different samples and the more limited nature of the exercise means that it is inadvisable to make direct comparisons. However, the current mapping exercise has revealed new insights about a broader range of services than were included in the previous 2007 audit. 2. The current mapping exercise consisted of: 1) identification of generalist and specialist services in the four nations providing therapeutic support for any form of child sexual abuse, including child sexual exploitation (n=750); 2) an online questionnaire distributed to all identified services; 3) a small number of followup telephone interviews with service providers and 4) a small number of telephone interviews with service commissioners. A total of 130 respondents provided data in the questionnaire on 149 services, giving a service response rate of 20%. Key findings There were a range of findings across funding and commissioning experiences of services, provision for children and young people, current service use and met and unmet need among the sample. Key findings include: Obtaining full and accurate data on current service use is complex and difficult, and the task has not improved since the 2007 audit where similar difficulties were encountered. A key recommendation in that report was an improvement in the recording of data, particularly by services such as Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHs) but the evidence suggests this has not been addressed. This makes it incredibly difficult to establish solid evidence about the need/demand for services and whether or not current provision is adequately meeting the demand. Some of the generalist services in the current mapping exercise were unable to provide referral figures on CSA/CSE because they do not tend to disaggregate their figures on this particular issue. The referral data provided in the current mapping exercise shows an overall gap (a 12% current gap and an anticipated gap of 17% in future) in provision across the services in this sample to children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse / exploitation. While some children may be referred to other services, there are likely to be some children who do not receive a service, or do not receive a timely service. The mapping exercise revealed a large number of services across the UK comprised of both specialist and generalist services which exist across statutory, voluntary and private sectors and in some case comprise multiagency initiatives. Whilst specialist services have been identified by some commentators to be more responsive and tailored to victims of sexual violence, it is clear that in the current climate of increasing awareness and demand, generalist services are identifying and supporting children and young people who have experienced CSA / CSE. Despite variation in the needs and support required between younger children and older children who have experienced CSA/ CSE, some services are supporting both groups. What is less clear is whether these services are effectively equipped to provide specialised support to meet the needs of children and young people experiencing different forms of CSA. SARCs have been an important development in provision of streamlined support for victims of sexual violence, although a key finding identified both in the literature and within this mapping exercise is a lack of emotional support within these services for children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse / exploitation. Since the 2007 audit, there appears to have been little change in the funding environment for CSA. Greater awareness of CSE means that it is possible that there has been more attention given to funding specialist services in this area at the expense of services dedicated to other forms of CSA. Across specialist services, funding continues to be provided through insecure and short-term funding cycles which are at odds with the nature of the provision required to adequately support children and young people with these experiences. Services continue to devote an enormous amount of time and energy to chasing new funding streams, which, they say diverts energy and time away from delivering quality services to children and young people. Service providers and commissioners have noted how complex and confusing the commissioning environment is, creating more stress and insecurity for providers. Service providers feel confident that they will continue to be funded but this confidence derives primarily from an optimism about their reputations and the current high priority of CSA/CSE rather than having actually secured future funding. Some referral sources for services are more developed than others; only 50% of services are seeing/accepting referrals from the police, for example and fewer from youth justice and youth services. CAMHs remain difficult to access and the situation appears to be declining in some areas in the face of funding cuts in recent years. Providers view CAMHs as largely difficult to access, a finding which has been identified in other studies and reviews of services. Almost all services, however, set eligibility criteria to restrict access. Age is one of the more common criteria and the mapping exercise has shown that, at least among the current sample, services for younger children are scarce while services for older children and adolescents are in somewhat greater supply. Although there is significant variability in the quality and amount of referral data received, the patterns of service provision suggest that it is White British girls without disabilities who comprise the largest group receiving services. Creative therapies remain a common approach in working with children and young people who have experienced sexual abuse. The ‘therapeutic relationship’ is also very common across services which focus on child sexual exploitation as well as other forms of child sexual abuse. Services are largely only accessible during the hours of 9 to 5 during the weekdays. For children and young people who may want and need support outside of these hours, provision is scarce. Children and young people with eating disorders, substance abuse problems, additional mental health needs and young offenders are most likely to be referred onwards to another service for help. Details: University of Bedfordshire, The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Trafficking and Violence, 2015. 100p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2016 at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/504283/mapping-therapeutic-services-sexual-abuse-uk-2015.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/504283/mapping-therapeutic-services-sexual-abuse-uk-2015.pdf Shelf Number: 147941 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMental Health ServicesSex CrimesSexual AbuseSexual ViolenceVictim Services |
Author: Palmer, Donald Title: Final report: The role of organisational culture in child sexual abuse in institutional context Summary: This report analyses the role that organisational culture plays in child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. It specifically considers how organisational culture can affect the perpetration and detection of child sexual abuse and the responses to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. The report also develops suggestions for addressing child sexual abuse in institutional contexts that are based on its analysis. These suggestions are geared towards reducing the incidence of child sexual abuse, detecting abuse earlier and improving the responses to abuse in institutional contexts. Definitions employed in the analysis The report uses definitions of child sexual abuse and institutional contexts stipulated by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that are broad in scope and largely consistent with definitions found in the literature. Child sexual abuse is defined as 'any act that exposes a child to, or involves a child in, sexual processes beyond his or her understanding or contrary to accepted standards' as well as 'actions deliberately undertaken with the aim of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to lower the child’s inhibitions in preparation for sexual activity'. Institutional contexts are defined as 'any public or private body, agency, association, club, institution or other entity or group of entities of any kind' that provides services to children. The report uses a conception of organisational culture specified by the Royal Commission that is based on Palmer (2012). This conception understands culture to consist of content and form. Cultural content includes assumptions (most importantly, presumptions of fact regarding people's attitudes and behaviours), values and beliefs (most importantly, understandings regarding the virtue of alternative ways to think and act) and norms (expectations regarding how people should think and behave). Forms include artefacts and practices that symbolically convey cultural content. Methodology of the analysis The report’s analysis is based on two bodies of theory and research. It builds on a systematic search of literature on the role that culture plays in child sexual abuse in institutional contexts, which included 41 articles and books. It also builds on the author's knowledge of the role that culture plays in misconduct in and by organisations more generally, which is examined in his published and forthcoming works (Greve, Palmer & Pozner, 2010; Palmer, 2012; Palmer, 2013; Palmer & Feldman, 2013; Palmer, Smith-Crow & Greenwood, 2016; Palmer & Moore, 2016; Palmer forthcoming). Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 111p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 8, 2016 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/c9d090b0-cc5a-4013-b78e-3591ad50db3d/The-role-of-organisational-culture-in-child-sexual Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/c9d090b0-cc5a-4013-b78e-3591ad50db3d/The-role-of-organisational-culture-in-child-sexual Shelf Number: 144431 Keywords: Child GroomingChild Sexual AbuseJuvenile Sex Offenders |
Author: Jutte, Sonja Title: Online Child Sexual Abuse Images: Doing More to Tackle Demand and Supply Summary: The production and consumption of child abuse images online is creating a social emergency. Digital technology is making it ever easier for this abuse to proliferate, damaging the many children involved in this vile trade. But by each of us playing a part, and taking collective responsibility to keep our children safe, we can find solutions. Behind each and every child sexual abuse image, abuse has occurred in the "real" world. These children are victims every time their image is viewed, and worse still, the knowledge that the image or film can be repeatedly viewed, and may never be removed, causes on-going trauma that they are forced to live with. And, to further heighten the seriousness of this abuse, we know there have been cases where the viewing of child abuse images escalates into abuse in real life. This is an issue of considerable importance to the NSPCC. The challenge we are faced with is sizeable. There are many praiseworthy endeavours, and much valuable work already happening to try to keep our children safer online. It is almost universally agreed that this material is illegal and wrong. But more must and can be done. Better understanding of the scale, nature and urgency of the challenge is vital. Ensuring that everyone - industry, government, law enforcement and charities like the NSPCC - plays their part is crucial. And a greater public understanding of the problem and its effects on children is also needed. In this report, the NSPCC explores new evidence about size of the problem and presents real, tangible solutions to reduce both the supply of and demand for these images. Children must have the right to easily remove sexual images of themselves that are shared online. More treatment and support services are needed to stop potential perpetrators in their tracks. Most importantly we must continue to seek new preventive solutions to stop these crimes from happening in the first place. This report sheds light on where we should focus our collective effort. Details: London: NSPCC, 2016. 440. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 9, 2016 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/online-child-sexual-abuse-images.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/online-child-sexual-abuse-images.pdf Shelf Number: 145578 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseInternet CrimesOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Brodie, Isabelle Title: The Participation of Young People in Child Sexual Exploitation Services: A Scoping Review of the Literature Summary: This scoping review looks at the conceptualisation, nature and impact of participation in child sexual exploitation services, as well as what is needed for effective participatory working. The review included literature which was in the English language, UK related, published after 1989, and focused on participation in children and young people’s services. Searches were carried out via academic search engines and three specialist child sexual exploitation (CSE) databases. Following screening a total of 159 items were retrieved, with eight core studies focusing specifically on the experiences of young people in CSE services. Analysis of the findings includes coverage of the following areas: models of participation, resistance and non-participation, types of participatory involvement, the replicability of participatory models, and the importance of an organisational commitment to a participatory approach. Themes identified from the review were: that participative practice in CSE services is distinct because professionals need to have both a strong knowledge base regarding the routes into and experience of CSE; that young people affected by CSE often have considerable knowledge and skill in navigating between services, and are able to identify what is effective; and that young people have often been ignored or blamed by professionals when trying to report abuse. The review also found that young people value the way that CSE services recognise them as individuals, listen and take their views seriously, and provide a flexible and friendly approach. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2016. 39p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 13, 2016 at: https://www.alexiproject.org.uk/assets/documents/Alexi-Project-Participation-Scoping-Review.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.alexiproject.org.uk/assets/documents/Alexi-Project-Participation-Scoping-Review.pdf Shelf Number: 146103 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: UBS Optimus Foundation Title: Optimus Study South Africa: Technical Report. Sexual victimisation of children in South Africa Final report of the Optimus Foundation Study: South Africa Summary: This report presents the findings of the Optimus Study conducted in South Africa. This study was designed specifically to estimate the annual incidence and lifetime prevalence of child sexual abuse and maltreatment in South Africa. Prior to this, no nationally representative data on the extent or impact of child sexual abuse existed. In order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the nature, extent and impact of child sexual abuse in the country, the study drew on two data sources: firstly, a population survey that was conducted with a sample of 15- to 17-year-old adolescents recruited nationally from schools (4 086 participants) as well as households (5 631 participants), and secondly an agency component that consisted of a series of in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with frontline staff and agency directors servicing the communities or geographical spaces identified through the sampling process. Through a thorough exploration of these areas, the study identifies where resources can best be targeted, provides a local evidence base for the development of effective interventions, and identifies whether intervening in one form of abuse or neglect might also have the potential to address other forms of violence. Results The study results revealed that of the young people interviewed in schools, 35.4% – one in every three young people – had experienced some form of sexual abuse at some point in their lives. Figures from the household portion of the study are slightly lower, but confirm that the rates are high: in households, 26.3% – more than a quarter of young people interviewed – reported having experienced some form of sexual abuse. Since rates of reporting in the schools portion of the study are generally higher, indicating that disclosure of these very difficult experiences may have been easier in that context, we base our estimates on that sample. This means that a total of at least 784 967 young people in South Africa have been the victims of sexual abuse by the age of 17 years. A total of 351 214 cases of sexual abuse had occurred among 15- to 17-year-olds in the past year alone. The differences between males’ and females’ reported rates of abuse were not as stark in this South African study as they have been in other studies. In the school survey, boys (36.8%) were found to be slightly more likely than girls (33.9%) to report some form of sexual abuse. Previous research has almost unfailingly underscored the particular vulnerability of young girls to sexual abuse. The findings from this national prevalence study indicate that boys and girls are equally vulnerable to some form of sexual abuse over the course of their lifetimes, although those forms tend to be different for boys and for girls. The mean age at which girls first experienced sexual abuse was 14, while boys typically reported their first experience to be at the age of 15 years. One in 10 (11.3%) young people had experienced unwanted sexual touching by a known or unknown adult in their lifetime, based on reporting rates from the school survey. Based on reporting rates from the school survey, 9.4% of young people had been made to do sexual things against their will by another child or teen; 11.7% had experienced someone trying to force them to have sex; 12.9% had experienced exposure abuse; and 15.7% had had a sexual experience with someone 18 or older (some of which may have been consensual). These findings illustrate that while sexual abuse is slightly more likely to occur once in a young person's lifetime, in 40% of these cases, it occurs two or more times. In the school survey, 42.2% of respondents had experiIn the school survey, 42.2% of respondents had experienced some form of maltreatment (whether sexual, physical, emotional or neglect), while 82.0% reported experiencing some form of victimisation (whether criminal victimisation or exposure to family or community violence). By and large, girls and urban dwellers were more likely to report these experiences than boys and those living in rural areas. A number of factors were associated with an increased risk of sexual victimisation. These included living with neither or just one biological parent, parental absence either due to hospitalisation or prolonged illness, parental substance abuse, disability status of the child, as well as sleeping density (the number of teens or adults with whom the respondent shared a room). The study also highlighted the protective factors associated with a reduced risk of sexual victimisation. Parents’ knowledge of who young people spend their time with, and how they spend their time and where they go, were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of young people reporting that they had been victims of sexual abuse. In addition to this, warm and supportive parent-child relationships were also found to be significantly associated with lower risk for sexual victimisation, specifically for girls. Sexual abuse was dramatically and strongly associated with mental health symptoms: young people who reported having been sexually abused were more than twice as likely to report anxiety and depression, and three times as likely to report PTSD symptoms, as other young South Africans. One-fifth of children who have been sexually abused by adults are also likely to have problems with schoolwork or school attendance. Nearly a third of those sexually abused by a known adult reported having injuries as a result of this abuse, although in turn, only a third of those injured actually sought assistance. While fewer children who had been abused by an unknown adult were injured, they were far more likely to seek medical assistance. Respondents were unlikely to report incidents of sexual abuse to authorities. For instance, in cases where they reported sexual abuse by an adult they knew, only 31.0% of girls and no boys reported this to the police. Young males are especially disinclined to report, across all categories of abuse. Details: Zurich, SWIT: UBS Optimus Foundation, 2016. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 11, 2017 at: http://www.cjcp.org.za/uploads/2/7/8/4/27845461/08_cjcp_report_2016_d.pdf Year: 2016 Country: South Africa URL: http://www.cjcp.org.za/uploads/2/7/8/4/27845461/08_cjcp_report_2016_d.pdf Shelf Number: 145129 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseSexual Abuse |
Author: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Title: Analysis of claims of child sexual abuse made with respect to Catholic Church institutions Summary: The Royal Commission has conducted a comprehensive survey of Catholic Church authorities in Australia to gather data about the extent of claims of child sexual abuse made against Catholic Church personnel. A significant proportion of the people who contacted the Royal Commission made allegations of child sexual abuse occurring in Catholic Church institutions. At the time this report was published, of all people who attended a private session with a Commissioner, 37% reported abuse occurring in Catholic Church institutions Analysis of claims data provides detailed information about claims of child sexual abuse, including information about where the alleged abuse occurred and when it occurred. The claims data also provides information about the people who made claims of child sexual abuse and the alleged perpetrators who were subject to the claims of child sexual abuse. Finally, the claims data provides comprehensive information about aspects of the institutional response to claims of child sexual abuse, including the outcome of claims for redress Details: Sydney: The Commission, 2017. 282p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2017 at: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/analysis-of-claims-of-child-sexual-abuse-with-respect-to-catholic-church-institutions-in-australia_february_20_-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/analysis-of-claims-of-child-sexual-abuse-with-respect-to-catholic-church-institutions-in-australia_february_20_-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 141250 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild AbuseChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenders |
Author: La Valle, Ivana Title: Child sexual exploitation: support in children's residential homes Summary: While child sexual exploitation (CSE) has attracted considerable attention in recent years and has highlighted how residential children’s homes can be targeted by CSE perpetrators, little is known about the tailored support provided to children affected by CSE who are placed in residential care. This study was commissioned to start filling this evidence gap. More specifically, the study aimed to: • identify approaches already used in children’s homes to support children who have been sexually exploited or are at risk of sexual exploitation. • explore the perceived benefits and impact of the tailored support that has been offered. • distil what seems to work well in supporting children affected by CSE in residential care and offer conclusions on the benefits of sharing the learning more widely. Evidence for the study was gathered through: a rapid review of the international evidence on CSE support; interviews with ten residential children's homes in England that were known for their CSE expertise and high-quality provision; and case studies in four of these homes involving eight children affected by CSE. Details: Feethams, Darlington, UK Department for Education, 2016. 67p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 2, 2017 at: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/582354/Child-sexual-exploitation-support-in-childrens-homes.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/582354/Child-sexual-exploitation-support-in-childrens-homes.pdf Shelf Number: 141261 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationResidential Care |
Author: Tasmania. Department of Justice, Sentencing Advisory Council. Title: Mandatory Sentencing for Serious Sex Offences against Children Summary: The Sentencing Advisory Council investigated the implementation in Tasmania of mandatory minimum sentencing for serious sex offences against children following a request from the Attorney-General. It released its final report on 15 November 2016. The report is divided into 2 Parts: Part A examines objections to the implementation of a mandatory minimum sentencing scheme in Tasmania and reiterates an earlier Council recommendation that such a scheme not be introduced in Tasmania. Part B discusses the implementation of a mandatory scheme and provides preliminary advice on the structure and coverage of a mandatory scheme, and levels of mandatory minimum sentences. Details: Hobart: The Sentencing Advisory Council, 2016. 128p. Source: Internet Resource: Final Report no. 7: Accessed March 3, 2017 at: http://www.sentencingcouncil.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/360999/2016_SAC_Mandatory_Sentencing_Final_Report-Web.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: http://www.sentencingcouncil.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/360999/2016_SAC_Mandatory_Sentencing_Final_Report-Web.pdf Shelf Number: 141306 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseMandatory SentencesSex Offenders |
Author: Breckenridge, Jan Title: Service and support needs of specific population groups that have experiences child sexual abuse: Report for the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) contracted researchers from the Gendered Violence Research Network (GVRN) at UNSW Australia to provide a literature review on the support needs of specific population groups affected by institutional child sexual abuse. Two core questions were agreed with the Royal Commission to comprehensively address the focus of the literature review. These were: Question 1: Do different groups of survivors have distinctive service and support needs? Question 2: What does the research tell us about interventions targeted at specific groups and about the effectiveness of these interventions? This report distinguishes the particular support and service needs of victims of institutional child sexual abuse and how these needs may differ from victims of non-institutional child sexual abuse. In addition, it examines whether factors such as context, duration and perpetrator influence the nature and extent of longer-term effects on survivors. The literature presented relates specifically to services and support provided to three select population groups: - people who have experienced child sexual abuse in an institutional context - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - people with disability. The first group is of primary interest to the Royal Commission, while the latter two groups have been included because of their increased vulnerability to child sexual abuse compared with the general population, their long history of institutionalisation carried out as accepted government policy, and their continued over-representation in various forms of institutional care. However, it is important to note that the research on institutional child sexual abuse does not always distinguish between these population groups, and victims could potentially be at the intersection of all three. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse 2016. 76p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 17, 2017 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/df1215dd-9351-4ccf-bc57-c7a210cf3e05/Service-and-support-needs-of-specific-population-g Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/df1215dd-9351-4ccf-bc57-c7a210cf3e05/Service-and-support-needs-of-specific-population-g Shelf Number: 144491 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseVictims of CrimesVictims of Sexual AbuseVictims Services |
Author: Mathews, Ben Title: Oversight and regulatory mechanisms aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse: Understanding current evidence of efficacy Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (the Royal Commission) is required to inquire into, among other things, 'what institutions and governments should do to achieve best practice in encouraging the reporting of, and responding to reports or information about, allegations, incidents or risks of child sexual abuse and related matters in institutional contexts'. Across Australia, oversight bodies enable monitoring of aspects of child welfare, particularly for children in the care and protection system. For this report, the Royal Commission examined oversight bodies including ombudsmen offices (including children's ombudsmen); reportable conduct schemes; children's commissions; community visitors schemes; child advocates and children's guardians; and crime and misconduct commissions. In some instances, these agencies facilitate oversight and responses to child sexual abuse; in other instances, this facility is an implicit or consequential aspect of their authority. These bodies differ across jurisdictions in their form, scope and power. In addition, various regulatory mechanisms exist in Australia. For this report, the Royal Commission has examined regulatory bodies including non-government schools' accreditation boards; early childhood and care regulators; and medical sector regulators. In some instances, agencies' express purpose is to prevent or minimise the likelihood of child sexual abuse; in other instances, this function is an implicit or consequential aspect of their authority. These bodies also have different features across jurisdictions. To assist the Royal Commission in addressing its terms of reference, the report initially focuses on understanding the nature of these oversight and regulatory bodies. This is presented in Part 2. The report then assesses the efficacy of these bodies in protecting children from sexual abuse, focusing on institutional contexts. To fulfil the aims of the study as stated by the Royal Commission, this report covers narrow efficacy and broad efficacy. The report has been informed by regulatory theory, and has used legal analysis, policy analysis and public health research methods, to review and analyse literature for its evaluative purpose. Appendix 2 explains in more detail the concepts of narrow efficacy and broad efficacy, and how they are measured. In sum, the evaluation of narrow efficacy explores the presence and nature of key requirements enabling the protection of children from child sexual abuse in institutional contexts; it does so through synthesis and doctrinal analysis. Broad efficacy is conceptualised as the effect in practice of the oversight or regulatory mechanism in protecting children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. The evaluation of broad efficacy asks whether the oversight or regulatory body achieves the policy goal of improving protection of children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Accordingly, the report first analyses narrow efficacy using selected significant features and parameters of the relevant legislative and regulatory frameworks. This analysis is presented in Part 2, alongside the synthesis of the nature of these bodies. The report then analyses broad efficacy using a systematic review of literature, according to the normal conventions of social science and public health scholarship. This is presented in Part 3. A third, less central, aspect of the report is a summary of evidence about the efficacy of other innovative regulatory models for protecting children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. This is presented in Part 4. A fourth, again less central, aspect of the report is a summary of models of regulation from other fields or industries that may be applicable or adaptable for protecting children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. This is also presented in Part 4. Two additional substantial components of the project were added after parts 1-4 were completed. To assist the Royal Commission in addressing its terms of reference, Part 5 explores how components, structures and mechanisms from occupational health and safety regulatory models in Australia could be used to inform a regulatory approach to protecting children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Accordingly, Part 5 presents a synthesis of these occupational health and safety regulatory models. It also analyses whether and how their central concepts and mechanisms may inform a regulatory approach to protecting children from sexual abuse in institutional contexts. Finally, to assist the Royal Commission in addressing its terms of reference, and with special reference to different kinds of organisations that serve children and youths, Part 6 explores the regulatory models and approaches that could be used to ensure that smaller organisations with limited resources (namely, sporting, cultural and arts, and recreational groups) are not overburdened with regulation, while still keeping children safe from sexual abuse. As with Part 5, the completion of Part 6 involved research, synthesis and analysis, and the development of reform proposals informed by the relevant principles, theory and evidence. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. 258p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2017 at: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/f6d43e2a-48b2-4999-9867-3938dcbcdf7e/Oversight-and-regulatory-mechanisms-aimed-at-prote Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/f6d43e2a-48b2-4999-9867-3938dcbcdf7e/Oversight-and-regulatory-mechanisms-aimed-at-prote Shelf Number: 144782 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Institutional AbuseChild MaltreatmentChild ProtectionChild Sexual Abuse Child Welfare |
Author: Digidiki, Vasileia Title: Emergency Within An Emergency: The growing epidemic of sexual exploitation and abuse of migrant children in Greece Summary: The present study analyzes the risk factors responsible for the exposure of migrant and refugee children to physical, psychological, and sexual violence and exploitation in Greece in the context of the ongoing migrant humanitarian crisis. It documents sexual and physical abuse of children inside migrant camps and reports new information about the commercial sexual exploitation of migrant children in the main cities of Greece. This research also explores the existing gaps and challenges in intervention efforts that contribute to victimization of migrant children. This study was conducted using rapid assessment methodology, combining qualitative research with in situ observation. Data collection was completed in late November 2016 in four sites in Greece- namely, the islands of Lesvos and Chios and the cities of Athens and Thessaloniki. These areas were chosen because they host large migrant populations, facilities, and camps. The conclusions are based on 24 key informant and stakeholder interviews with on-site participants who work closely with migrant children and are thus qualified to comment on the conditions inside migrant facilities and camps. For ethical and security considerations, no direct interviews with migrant children or adults were conducted. This report highlights the following six major risk factors: (1) insufficient number of specialized facilities for children; (2) risky living conditions inside camps; (3) potentially hazardous and unsupervised commingling of migrant children with the adult migrant population; (4) weak and insufficiently resourced child protection systems; (5) lack of coordination and cooperation among responsible actors; and (6) an inefficient and radically inadequate relocation scheme. The report describes the context where migrant children are exposed to and become victims of physical, psychological, and sexual violence inside migrant facilities and camps in the studied geographic areas. In particular, it analyzes five key aspects related to the commercial sexual exploitation of migrant children: (1) prevalence of the phenomenon; (2) profile of the victims; (3) mechanisms of recruitment and victimization; (4) role of purchasers of migrant child sex; and (4) impact of the exploitation on the victims. Participants working with migrant children underscore the complex and multifaceted nature of the phenomenon and highlight the negative influence of institutional, legislative, individual, family, and societal factors and conditions that contribute to the endangerment of migrant children. On-site participants also identify a cascade of socio-psychological and mental health symptoms evidenced by affected migrant children; these symptoms correlate with the children's reduced resilience and increased vulnerability to re-victimization. On-site participants further confirm that the criminal nature of the phenomenon seriously impacts prevention efforts, resulting in numerous missed opportunities to provide an effective safety net for migrant children. State child protection systems, in particular, have far failed to adapt to the reality of the situation. Furthermore, the report analyses the significant gaps in both government and nongovernmental responses to the current child migrant situation. The results emphasize an immediate and urgent need for substantially improved child protection policy and practice, including recruiting and training qualified staff and improving coordination and case management. The report concludes with recommendations that address the complexity of the current humanitarian emergency. As a whole, the results call for flexible and well-informed prevention measures to address the many interconnected factors driving child migrant vulnerability. In view of the deterioration of the political climate for refugee and migrant populations in Europe and other parts of the world, national and international stakeholders should come together to ensure adequate prevention measures, as well as to create safe and legal paths to migration for migrant children in acute need of protection. This report is a first step towards documenting the many and severe risks faced by migrant children in Greece. The ultimate aim is to influence current policy towards migrant children in Greece and to pave the way for future research to better understand and eliminate sexual abuse and exploitation of migrant children caught up in this humanitarian crisis. Details: Cambridge, MA: FXB Center for Health and Human Rights, Harvard University, 2017. 51p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2017 at: https://cdn2.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/04/Emergency-Within-an-Emergency-FXB.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Greece URL: https://cdn2.sph.harvard.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2017/04/Emergency-Within-an-Emergency-FXB.pdf Shelf Number: 145058 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationMigrant ChildrenRefugee Children |
Author: Marcus, Rachel Title: Poverty and violations of children's right to protection in low- and middle-income countries: A review of the evidence Summary: Why do up to 1.5 billion children suffer physical violence every year? Why do up to 2251 million children suffer sexual violence every year? Why are 14.2 million girls every year married off to start adult lives in adolescence or before?2 Why are considerable numbers of young children left alone for long hours without competent adult supervision? Historically, in studies of violence against children in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, explanations emphasised the role of individual psychological factors. The pendulum swung in the 1960s to highlight structural forces contributing to the abuse and neglect of children, in particular poverty and unemployment. In more recent years, understanding of the factors underlying violations of children's right to protection has drawn on an ecological model that emphasises factors at several levels: individual, family, household, community and broader society (Frederick and Goddard, 2007). The international child protection community generally sees three broad sets of factors as underlying many child protection violations: sociocultural norms, weak protective structures and poverty or deprivation. However, within this community there are divergences of opinion concerning the extent to which poverty is a significant underlying or risk factor. Interviews with child protection and poverty specialists and an electronic survey conducted for this research programme revealed a notable split. The majority considered poverty an important and often-neglected factor underpinning many child protection violations, but a significant number of respondents highlighted the fact that abuse, exploitation and neglect of children occurs across all socioeconomic groups, and thus felt economic deprivation played a more minor role. Perspectives varied considerably across different types of violation, with most respondents feeling that economic deprivation was a critical factor in early marriage, inadequate care and sexual exploitation, but relatively fewer convinced it was an important factor underpinning corporal punishment or sexual abuse. The electronic survey, like the majority of the literature examined for this review, focuses on children's vulnerability to protection violations, not whether poverty increases the risk of perpetrating abuse. Broadly, these perspectives concur with insights from the literature examined for this study. Despite increased recognition of the importance of effective joined-up child protection systems (e.g. World Vision, 2011; Wulcyzn et al., 2010), state agencies charged with child protection in most low- and middle-income countries are severely underfunded (Everychild, 2010b; Holmes and Jones, 2009). At the same time, there is a global move towards strengthening social protection - much of which has a partial focus on children in poverty, and thus is directing resources towards realising children's survival and development rights. In this context, there is growing interest in exploring the potential and limitations of social protection, human development and other anti-poverty programmes to reduce violations of children's protection rights - and of action to protect children's rights to promote better anti-poverty and human development outcomes. As a contribution to emerging practice and debate in this area, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and the Oak Foundation are undertaking a two-year programme of work to explore the potential for greater linkages between child protection and anti-poverty work in low- and middle-income countries. This report - the first output of the programme - has two main objectives: 1. To examine how far and in what ways poverty contributes to violations of children's rights to protection in four key areas - child marriage, sexual and physical violence against children and inadequate care of children - and thus to clarify the significance of poverty as an underlying or risk factor for these different violations of children's protection rights; and 2. To assess the strength of evidence concerning the relationship between poverty and child marriage, sexual and physical violence against children and inadequate care of children, and thus to identify knowledge gaps. It reviews evidence from low- and middle-income countries on the linkages between poverty and child marriage, sexual and physical violence against children and inadequate care of children. It also draws selectively on evidence from OECD countries in areas where the low- and middle-income country literature is sparse, or to highlight differences related to income and institutional capacity. It is intended as a detailed resource on the issues explored. Key findings are summarised in a short background note (Marcus, 2013). Other components of this programme include an adapted systematic review of the extent to which child protection policies and programmes involve attention to anti-poverty issues, and the contribution of antipoverty components to effective action on specific child protection issues (Marcus and Page, 2013); an electronic survey of practitioners and key informant interviews; and fieldwork exploring the relationship between poverty and violation of children's protection rights in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Vietnam. The programme is also exploring the potential for and different ways of promoting greater synergies between analysts and practitioners with anti-poverty and child protection foci. Details: London: Overseas Development Institute, 2014. 97p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 1, 2017 at: https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9309.pdf Year: 2014 Country: International URL: https://www.odi.org/sites/odi.org.uk/files/odi-assets/publications-opinion-files/9309.pdf Shelf Number: 145223 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild MarriageChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild WelfarePoverty and CrimeSocioeconomic Conditions and CrimeViolence Against Children |
Author: O'Leary, Patrick Title: Grooming and child sexual abuse in institutional contexts Summary: Recent efforts to clarify definitions of grooming in research reflect an increased awareness of the diverse range of settings in which grooming may occur, as well as the diverse range of targets and purposes of grooming techniques. Grooming can be defined as: The use of a variety of manipulative and controlling techniques; with a vulnerable subject; in a range of inter-personal and social settings; in order to establish trust or normalise sexually harmful behaviour; with the overall aim of facilitating exploitation and/or prohibiting exposure. (McAlinden, 2012, p.11) Grooming can involve a range of behaviours that seek to build trust with and increase access to a child, and cement the authority of the perpetrator and/or compliance of a child to perpetrate or continue to perpetrate child sexual abuse. Grooming and related techniques are difficult to identify and define. Grooming includes numerous techniques, many of which are not explicitly sexual or directly abusive in themselves (McAlinden, 2006). Some grooming techniques can co-exist with other regular behaviour or functions within an otherwise normal relationship with a child. Given this, a key difficulty in identifying grooming is that it consists of many discrete acts that, on their own, are not necessarily criminal or abusive (Bennett & O'Donohue, 2014), and is distinguishable only by the perpetrator's motivation to facilitate and/or conceal child sexual abuse. This paper provides an overview of key conceptual issues in the definition and understanding of grooming. It takes a narrative review approach to synthesising key literature, drawing on an understanding of perpetrator modus operandi. It identifies and discusses what is known about grooming, particularly as it relates to institutional child sexual abuse. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. 34p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2017 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b8c8cc19-ad65-44f5-951e-3b1705156da2/Grooming-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-institutional-c Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/b8c8cc19-ad65-44f5-951e-3b1705156da2/Grooming-and-child-sexual-abuse-in-institutional-c Shelf Number: 145237 Keywords: Child GroomingChild Sexual AbuseCorrections-Based Sexual AbuseInstitutional AbuseInstitutional Care |
Author: Scott, Sara Title: South Yorkshire Empower and Protect Child Sexual Exploitation Innovation Project: Evaluation Report Summary: South Yorkshire Empower and Protect (SYEP) involved a new partnership between the local authorities in Sheffield, Barnsley and Rotherham and Doncaster Children's Services Trust, working with voluntary and community sector (VCS) partner Catch 22. The aim was to develop an original, sub-regional delivery model for young people experiencing or at high risk of sexual exploitation which would enable them to remain safely at home, or in stable foster care in South Yorkshire, rather than being placed in out-of-area residential or secure accommodation. For young people already in care, this involved the recruitment and training of specialist foster carers, intensive support and therapeutic input to help sustain placements and prevent breakdowns. For young people living at home, a parallel provision included working with family members to increase their understanding of child sexual exploitation (CSE), ability to manage risks and provide appropriate care. The project intended to undertake some direct work with families, carers, children and young people while at the same time skilling up other professionals to do this work, through modelling and by providing supervision and training. This workforce development element of the project was to be directed towards staff in fostering, child protection and CSE teams and was intended to help increase reflective social-work practice based upon relationships rather than process. Key Findings The programme has successfully demonstrated that young people who are likely to be placed out-of-area or in secure accommodation because they are being sexually exploited, or are at high risk of CSE, can be safely cared for in their own communities - if sufficient, appropriate support is provided for both them and their carers. Some aspects of a model for providing such support have been tested by the SYEP Innovation and found to be effective. An extremely skilled and committed core team have been successful in achieving some very positive outcomes for a small number of young people. However, the impact of the project has been limited by the following factors: a very short time to co-design a new model; a late start caused by delays in appointing key staff; the huge challenge of recruiting foster carers for very complex adolescents; and a failure to fully engage social workers and managers with the project. This would have been an ambitious project for any single local authority; the complexity of attempting to undertake it across a sub-region was greatly underestimated. The programme needed a more substantial development period in order to build relationships with key stakeholders and existing providers across South Yorkshire; fully involve young people, parents, carers and multi-agency staff in co-producing the model; develop a strategy to bring social care staff on board and recruit foster carers; and negotiate the necessary alignment of policies, procedures and budgets across the 4 authorities. The Innovation has benefited from committed leadership at children's services director level, which has followed through into a commitment to mainstream elements of the innovation in each of the 4 areas. However, there has remained throughout a 'missing middl' at a management level where engagement and ownership were crucial if the hoped-for impacts on workforce development were to be achieved. Details: Feethams, Darlington; UK Department of Education, 2017. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Children's Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 25 ; Accessed May 19, 2017 at: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_45246-5.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_45246-5.pdf Shelf Number: 145641 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationFoster Care |
Author: Scott, Sara Title: Wigan and Rochdale Child Sexual Exploitation Innovation Project: Evaluation report Summary: The Wigan and Rochdale Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Innovations Project is a partnership between Wigan and Rochdale local authorities, Greater Manchester Phoenix CSE Project, the Children's Society and Research in Practice, on behalf of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities. It has aimed to address the problem of too many young people affected by sexual exploitation being placed in high cost or secure accommodation that was not always meeting their needs. The project was designed in three phases: 1) a programme of action research to understand more about the problem identified, especially the journeys of young people affected; 2) co-design of a new pilot service, involving young people, parents-or-carers, social workers and key agencies; and 3) implementation of the pilot service to work across Wigan and Rochdale, and a cost-benefit analysis of its impact. Learning from the pilot was intended to lead to the adoption of more effective ways of working in each authority, with the longer-term goal of replicating best practice across Greater Manchester. Details: Feethams, Darlington: UK Department of Education, 2017. 78p. Source: Internet Resource: Children's Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 26: Accessed May 19, 2017 at: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_54623-8.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://cdn.basw.co.uk/upload/basw_54623-8.pdf Shelf Number: 145642 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCost Benefit AnalysisFoster Care |
Author: Warrington, Camille Title: Making Noise: Children's voices for positive change after sexual abuse. Children's experiences of help-seeking and support after sexual abuse in the family environment Summary: Overview 1. This study was commissioned by the Children's Commissioner for England and carried out in 2015/16 by staff from the International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, in partnership with the NSPCC. It sought to elicit children and young people's views and experiences of help-seeking and support after child sexual abuse (CSA) in the family environment. 2. The title, and spirit, of the research - 'Making Noise: children's voices for positive change after sexual abuse' - was determined with our Young People's Advisory Group, who have played a critical role throughout the work. It represents our efforts to not only generate new research knowledge, but to simultaneously demonstrate the capacity of children and young people to contribute to enhanced responses to these issues and the importance of challenging the cultures of silence in which abuse and impunity flourish. 3. The research comprised 53 in-depth qualitative interviews with children aged 6 to 19 who were receiving support for experiences of CSA in the family environment. All interviewees were accessed through one of 15 third-sector therapeutic services from across England. This data was supplemented with focus groups (30 participants) and survey data (75 respondents) with more generic cohorts of young people exploring possible barriers to disclosure and service access. 4. The research sought to respond to a recognised gap in evidence from the perspectives of children and young people affected by CSA in the family environment. To our knowledge this study represents data from the largest sample of children and young people in a qualitative study on this issue. 5. The research aims were to improve understanding of participants' experiences of: - recognition, identification and disclosure of CSA in the family environment - help-seeking and support - contact with services as a result of reporting/identification of CSA - care systems, and - criminal justice procedures and to ascertain children and young people's views on how such processes could be improved. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2017. 184p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2017 at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/UniBed_MakingNoise%2020_4_17.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/UniBed_MakingNoise%2020_4_17.pdf Shelf Number: 145917 Keywords: Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Children and Violence Sexual Violence Victim Services Violence Against Women, Children |
Author: Children's Commissioner for England Title: Investigating Child Sexual Abuse: The Length of Criminal Investigations Summary: Increased reports of sexual offences are placing a significant demand on police, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), local authority children's services departments, the criminal and family courts, and specialist voluntary sector services for victims and survivors. Investigations by Police and children's services into child sexual abuse are life-changing for victims. Where capacity is stretched to meet the increasing demand on resources for investigations, there is a risk that cases will take even longer to resolve, exacerbating the trauma experienced by children and their families. Given this concern, the Children's Commissioner's Office has examined the length of criminal justice processes in child sexual abuse (CSA) cases. The Commissioner has used Home Office data from 18 police forces and national data from the CPS to investigate the timescales involved in CSA cases in England between 2012/13 and 2015/161, from the point of initial report to finalisation in court. This report finds that The investigative process for CSA cases is considerably longer than adult sexual offences. In 2015/16, the median length of time for investigations of CSA cases was 248 days. In comparison, the median length for the investigations of adult sexual offences was 147 days, which is 101 days less than the average for CSA offences. Child sexual abuse investigations take longer than all other crime types according to the data available. For example, the median length of time taken from crime recording to a charge outcome in 15/16 in relation to drug offences (90 days), theft (73 days) and violence against a person (72 days) is considerably shorter than CSA offences (248 days). Although this may reflect the relative complexity of these investigations, it is clear that victims of CSA face a considerable wait to until the perpetrator is charged. This is likely to be a period of huge uncertainty for victims of sexual abuse - the police and CPS should explore ways of working more effectively to minimise delays and increase the speed of decision-making. These findings strongly support the rapid implementation of three measures for improving the quality and speed of decision-making in criminal investigations of CSA - (i) a licence to practice for professionals working on CSA cases to improve decision-making in CSA investigations; (ii) embedding CPS Rape and Serious Sexual Offence (RASSO) specialists in police child abuse investigation teams to improve collaboration between the CPS and police officers; and (iii) the establishment and roll-out of 'children's houses', child-friendly facilities where victims of CSA participate in police interviews, and also receive therapeutic support. Details: London: The Commissioner, 2017. 15p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 5, 2017 at: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Investigating%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20CCO%20April%202017%201.2.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/Investigating%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20CCO%20April%202017%201.2.pdf Shelf Number: 145918 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCriminal InvestigationsSex Offenders |
Author: Coffey, Ann Title: Real Voices: Are they being heard? Summary: The high profile Rochdale sexual exploitation case in 2012 - along with Rotherham, Oldham, Oxford, Telford, Stockport and Peterborough - revealed the shocking extent of child sexual exploitation. In December 2013, Tony Lloyd, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Greater Manchester, asked me to conduct an independent inquiry into what progress had been made since 2012 and what more needed to be done to tackle child sexual exploitation in the region. My report, Real Voices - Child Sexual Exploitation in Greater Manchester, published in 2014, explored the underlying attitudes in the police and other agencies, which meant that perpetrators could exploit children, knowing that if they were reported, it would be the victim on trial, not them. It caused shockwaves by identifying that child sexual exploitation had become a 'social norm' in some communities in Greater Manchester. The report called for a sea change in attitudes away from a culture of blaming children and young people for bringing about their own sexual exploitation. In collecting my evidence I spoke to everyone who worked in this difficult area but I prioritised listening to children and young people and put their voices about their experiences at the very front of my report. Real Voices recommended that the fight against CSE had to be led by young people and their voices had to be heard. Real Voices now - Are they being heard? Two years on, Tony Lloyd, GM Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner, asked me to review some aspects of the report. In this new review I have looked at how far attitudes have changed in the police, agencies and the wider community. Details: S.l.: Ann Coffey, 2017. 58p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2017 at: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RV2-Are-They-Being-Heard3.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://anncoffeymp.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/RV2-Are-They-Being-Heard3.pdf Shelf Number: 145943 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Beckett, Helen Title: Making Justice Work: Experiences of criminal justice for children and young people affected by sexual exploitation as victims and witnesses Summary: 1. Making Justice Work is a one year participatory pilot research project, carried out by The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking at The University of Bedfordshire. The research explored young people's experiences of the criminal justice system in child sexual exploitation (CSE) cases, and the ways in which these could be improved. 2. The work consisted of: a policy and literature review; in-depth participatory research with nine young 'experts by experience'; interviews with two peer supporters; and interviews and focus groups with 38 professionals. 3. The primary emphasis was on the in-depth participatory research with the young experts by experience, given the limited nature of young people's perspectives within the existing body of evidence. The other three strands of work served to contextualise and triangulate this learning. A high degree of convergence emerged across all elements of the primary research. The findings also strongly resonate with themes identified in other research, inquiries and reviews. 4. Although often critical in their commentary, participants recognised the existence of pockets of good practice and were keen to see these implemented on a wider scale. The findings of the research are presented in a similar spirit; in the hope that they will provide helpful insights for the wide range of current initiatives for change within this field. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2015. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 14, 2017 at: http://uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/handle/10547/347011 Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://uobrep.openrepository.com/uobrep/handle/10547/347011 Shelf Number: 146092 Keywords: Child Sexual abuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild VictimsChild WitnessVictim Services |
Author: Bovarnick, Silvie Title: Direct Work with Sexually Exploited or At Risk Children and Young People: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: This review is intended to provide Barnardo's with an overview of what 'direct work' with young people entails in the context of CSE. Part one explores the nature, types and contexts of direct work and gives an overview of the range of risks and vulnerabilities that direct work typically addresses. Part two focuses on the journey of direct work with young people in greater detail and outlines six core elements of direct interventions: 1. Engagement and relationship building 2. Support and stability 3. Providing advocacy 4. Reducing risks and building resilience 5. Addressing underlying issues 6. Enabling growth and moving on The discussion of each component is informed by what we know from research evidence to work in direct interventions with young people. We also give some practice examples to illustrate effective models of direct work. Part three provides a brief summary of the key features that underpin effective direct work with young people. Direct work with young people can entail a variety of activities with the general goal of 'enabling young people to live constructively and to develop and grow' (Aldgate and Simmonds 1988; Robson 2010). It can be undertaken one-to-one or involve group work and may take place in a project or clinic, a school or a young person's home. The majority of direct work involves face-to-face interaction between a young person and a worker but it can be conducted via SKYPE or other forms of virtual media. Duration of work may vary from a few weeks to a year or more. Much direct work with young people focuses on experiences of trauma, disruption, rejection and abandonment in their lives (Simmonds 1988; Scott and Skidmore 2006). At the therapeutic end of social work, there is a tradition of working with young people on their life histories in order to help them work through their feelings and understand the issues that may result from their life experiences. Such work often addresses trauma and attachment issues and may include working with a parent or foster carer as well as with the child. The majority of direct work is referral-based, with referrals coming from another agency, schools, parents/carers or through self-referral. Depending how much information is available at the point of referral, direct work typically starts with a comprehensive needs and risk (and occasionally a resilience) assessment (e.g. ASSETPlus; YJB 2014). There is usually a longer or shorter period of relationship building involving some informal contact. Following this engagement period, direct work is usually based on a verbal or written agreement between a young person, the service, and any others involved, that maps out a programme of work tailored to the young person's specific needs. Interventions can comprise psychosocial education and prevention work, safety work, advocacy and recovery/therapeutic work - with different kinds of input sometimes provided by different agencies or by different professionals. For instance, youth workers may deliver socio-educative direct work in informal settings while structured, therapeutic work is more often undertaken by mental health or counselling services Details: London: Barnardo's, 2017. 59p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 16, 2017 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/work_with_exploitated_or_at_risk_rea.pdf Year: 2017 Country: International URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/work_with_exploitated_or_at_risk_rea.pdf Shelf Number: 146205 Keywords: At-Risk YouthChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Bovarnick, Silvie Title: Outreach Work: Child Sexual Exploitation - A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: This briefing is based on a rapid review of the available literature on outreach work with children and young people. It is intended to provide the ReachOut project with an overview of different approaches to outreach; what it generally aims to achieve; what distinguishes it from centre-based work and how it is applicable to children and young people involved in, or at risk of, child sexual exploitation. We highlight what is known about 'detached' and other approaches that aim to reach vulnerable populations who are not accessing mainstream services. We hope it will be useful in informing ReachOut's thinking about the role and value of its own outreach activities. WHAT IS OUTREACH? There isn't a single definition of 'outreach'. The term is used to describe a range of activities relating to community development, social inclusion, or engagement with local people (McGivney 2000a). It can operate in a variety of settings and with a range of target populations such as sex workers, drug users, and young people involved in crime or gangs (Rhodes 1996). In the context of youth work, outreach is typically aimed at particularly vulnerable and/or marginalised individuals or groups that, for a variety of reasons, are not effectively reached by mainstream services (Hardy et al 2010; Rhodes 1996). Outreach may also include work with parents, carers and the wider community. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DETACHED YOUTH WORK, STREET-WORK AND OUTREACH The fundamental similarity between outreach and detached youth work or street work is that they all take place where young people 'are at' geographically and developmentally. Detached youth work and street-work tend to both assess and address young people's needs by delivering activities in their spaces and places. Although outreach can also deliver services in community settings (Dewson et al 2006), it is more often an extension of centre or project-based work (Kaufman 2001; CWVY 2014), used to 'advertise' existing services and encourage young people to use them. Because outreach shares many methods and principles with other types of detached youth work, this review draws on relevant examples from the range of approaches. THE PURPOSE OF OUTREACH The primary purpose of outreach is to raise awareness of existing services and encourage their takeup. Outreach often targets individuals or groups that may be suspicious of, or intimidated by, mainstream services in order to increase their confidence and draw them into centre-based provision (Dewson et al 2006). However, in some instances, outreach can be used to deliver services in the local community, especially in communities where there is poor service provision and where people have difficulties in accessing advice and support e.g. in rural areas. Such outreach services may involve locating staff for some of their time in organisations which are located within target communities. Details: London: Barnardo's, 2016. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 16, 2017 at: http://bettercarenetwork.org/sites/default/files/Outreach%20Work%20-%20Child%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://bettercarenetwork.org/sites/default/files/Outreach%20Work%20-%20Child%20Sexual%20Exploitation.pdf Shelf Number: 146206 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationOutreach Services |
Author: Hollis, Vicki Title: Children and young people who engage in technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour; a study of their behaviours, backgrounds and characteristics. Summary: Key Findings Very little is known about the harmful sexual behaviours (HSB) assisted by technology that children and young people engage in. The current research therefore aimed to: - Explore the prevalence of the technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB) displayed by 275 children and young people being assessed for the NSPCC's Turn the Page harmful sexual behaviour service; - Explore the range of TA-HSB displayed by young males accessing this service and compare the backgrounds and characteristics of those with TA-HSB only (n=21), offline HSB only (n=35), and dual TA and offline HSB (n=35); - Investigate the association between TA-HSB and offline HSB; and - Investigate professional involvement with, and response to, TA-HSB. We define technology-assisted harmful sexual behaviour (TA-HSB) as: "One or more children engaging in sexual discussions or acts - using the internet and/or any image-creating/sharing or communication device - which is considered inappropriate and/or harmful given their age or stage of development. This behaviour falls on a continuum of severity from the use of pornography to online child sexual abuse.' These behaviours may be harmful only to the young person engaging in them, or may be directly harmful to another person. Our key findings were as follows: - TA-HSB was engaged in by almost half (46 per cent) of the children and young people accessing this service and a range of TA-HSB was identified. These behaviours spanned the harmful sexual behaviour continuum from inappropriate sexual behaviour (for example, the developmentally inappropriate use of pornography) to abusive sexual behaviour (for example, the online sexual abuse of another person, such as inciting them to engage in sexual activity online). - It was rare for children and young people to engage in TA-HSB alone (7 per cent of the sample) without also engaging in offline HSB (46 per cent). An integrated assessment model that explores both types of HSB together, as opposed to assessing them individually, may therefore be beneficial. - A stronger association was identified between the developmentally inappropriate use of pornography (for example, by children under the age of 13) and offline HSB compared with other forms of TA-HSB. The former was noted as a trigger for offline HSB in over half the cases while the latter tended to occur, on average, three years after the onset of offline HSB. This highlights the importance of an appropriate professional response to, assessment of, and intervention with, pornography use. - There were differences in the backgrounds and characteristics of young males with TA-HSB compared with dual and offline HSB, which may highlight different developmental trajectories leading to this behaviour. Those with dual HSB were similar to those with offline HSB and the offline HSB may therefore be the driving behaviour. Intervention to address the needs of those with TA-HSB may therefore need to focus on different areas to that with young people with dual HSB. - A more punitive response was taken towards the young males with TA-HSB (only) compared with those displaying offline HSB or dual HSB (for example, criminal justice involvement versus a more therapeutic response). Differences in professional perceptions of, and the ability to recognise, TA-HSB were also highlighted. This requires further exploration and has wider training implications for professionals working with children and young people. The findings from this research are being used by the NSPCC and AIM project to develop a training package for professionals working to assess children and young people with TA-HSB. Details: London: NSPCC, 2017. 106p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 23, 2017 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/exploring-technology-assisted-harmful-sexual-behaviour.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/exploring-technology-assisted-harmful-sexual-behaviour.pdf Shelf Number: 146347 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseComputer Crime Online Victimization Pornography Social Media |
Author: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Title: Proportion of priests and non-ordained religious subject to a claim of child sexual abuse 1950-2010 Summary: 1. The Royal Commission has conducted a comprehensive survey of Catholic Church authorities in Australia to gather data about the extent of claims of child sexual abuse made against Catholic Church personnel. This includes claims made against any current or former priest, religious brother or sister, or any other person employed in or appointed to a voluntary position by a Catholic Church authority. Catholic Church authorities include archdioceses, dioceses and religious institutes (also known as orders or congregations). 2. This survey was undertaken with the assistance of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council and the Catholic Church authorities who provided the data about claims of child sexual abuse. 3. Analysis of the claims data provides detailed information about claims of child sexual abuse, including information about where the alleged abuse occurred and when it occurred. The claims data also provides information about the people who made claims of child sexual abuse and the alleged perpetrators who were subject to the claims of child sexual abuse. 4. The Royal Commission gathered data from three sources: a. Data from Catholic Church authorities in Australia regarding claims of child sexual abuse made against Catholic Church personnel. b. Data from 10 Catholic religious institutes in Australia regarding the total number of non-ordained religious (religious brothers and religious sisters) who were members of these institutes and who ministered in Australia between 1950 and 2010. c. Data from 75 Catholic Church authorities in Australia who have priest members (archdioceses/dioceses and religious institutes) regarding the total number of priests who were members of their authority and who ministered as Catholic priests in Australia between 1950 and 2010. 5. A claim includes: a. Claims of child sexual abuse made against Catholic Church personnel by a claimant, or a solicitor or advocate on their behalf, seeking redress through Towards Healing, the Melbourne Response or another redress process, including civil proceedings, whether ongoing, settled, or concluded without redress. b. Complaints of child sexual abuse against Catholic Church personnel made by any person without redress being sought, that are substantiated following an investigation by the relevant Catholic Church authority or another body, or otherwise accepted by the relevant Catholic Church authority. 6. The claims survey requested information about claims, irrespective of the outcome of the claim. The survey gathered information about all claims for redress, including those that were ongoing, settled, or concluded without redress. The survey sought all claims accepted by a Catholic Church authority; discontinued before the Catholic Church authority could investigate the allegations; and claims where the alleged abuse was investigated and was not accepted. 7. The claims data includes all claims of child sexual abuse, whether or not they were accepted or substantiated by the relevant Catholic Church authority.8. The claims data does not indicate the total number of allegations of child sexual abuse made to Catholic Church authorities in Australia. This is because the claims data survey did not seek data about all allegations of child sexual abuse but only about claims where the claimant had sought redress, or about complaints that were accepted by Catholic Church authorities without redress being sought by the claimant. 9. Analysis of the data from these Catholic Church authorities regarding the number of their members (priests and non-ordained religious) who ministered in Australia between 1950 and 2010, when analysed in conjunction with the claims data, enabled calculation of the proportion of priests and non-ordained religious who served in this period and who were alleged perpetrators. 10. This document presents the results of this aspect of the claims data analysis. Details: Sydney: The Commission, 2017. 49p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 1, 2017 at: http://www.tjhcouncil.org.au/media/130569/170206-Proportion-of-Priests-and-non-ordained-religious-subject-to-a-claim-of-sexual-abuse-1950-2010.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://www.tjhcouncil.org.au/media/130569/170206-Proportion-of-Priests-and-non-ordained-religious-subject-to-a-claim-of-sexual-abuse-1950-2010.pdf Shelf Number: 146483 Keywords: Catholic ChurchChild Sexual AbuseSex Offenders |
Author: Hoyle, Carolyn Title: The Impact of Being Wrongly Accused of Abuse in Occupations of Trust: Victims' Voices Summary: Recent decades have seen an emerging body of research focused on crime victims and their perspectives. In particular, there has been concern that allegations of sexual abuse, particularly non-recent abuse, have not received an appropriate response. Among politicians, criminal justice agencies and charities in the UK, there is a collective sense of remorse that reports of abuse were often not properly investigated and that those who reported it were often not believed. From this has emerged a new determination to correct past and prevent further injustices of this kind. Not surprisingly, there has been a cultural shift towards believing allegations of abuse, and the presumption now is in favour of trusting those who present as victims. It is important that all agencies, particularly the police, are alert to the needs of those who claim to be victims of abuse, but not to the extent of overlooking those who are victims of wrongful allegations. In a society which has made so much progress in addressing the needs of victims and in taking account of their perspective, those who have been smeared by false allegations of grievous crimes sometimes see themselves as the forgotten victims (of official errors if not of their accusers). They feel disregarded, and that they and their partners and children are left to suffer the ignominy alone. This qualitative study of people's experiences of being falsely accused of child/adult abuse in occupational contexts gives a voice to these other victims, by way of a content analysis of first person accounts. Set against the background of a broad social discourse focused on prosecuting child abusers and sex offenders, one which recognises that victims of abuse need great courage to report crimes against them, it may seem perverse to shine a spotlight on the wrongly accused. Some may worry that dwelling on them will drive victims back into the shadows for fear they will not be believed. However, hearing about the experiences of those who are falsely accused does not diminish lessons that can be learnt from victims of abuse. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) has invited victims and survivors of child sexual abuse to share their experience with the Inquiry team, and advises that the information provided will feed into the 'Truth Project'. However, the IICSA also intends to hear testimony from those who have been falsely accused to ensure a balance between encouraging the reporting of child sexual abuse and protecting the rights of the accused. We believe the IICSA is likely to hear evidence similar to the data presented below. Details: Oxford, UK: University of Oxford Centre for Criminology, 2017. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 27, 2017 at: https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxlaw/the_impact_of_being_wrongly_accused_of_abuse_hoyle_speechley_burnett_final_26_may.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.law.ox.ac.uk/sites/files/oxlaw/the_impact_of_being_wrongly_accused_of_abuse_hoyle_speechley_burnett_final_26_may.pdf Shelf Number: 146524 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseFalse AccusationsPolice InvestigationsWrongly Accused |
Author: Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council Title: Classification of child exploitation material for sentencing purposes: final report Summary: The Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Yvette D'Ath asked the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council (the council) to review the classification of child exploitation material (CEM) for sentencing purposes and determine whether any improvements can be made. The review comprised significant consultation across Queensland's criminal justice system involved with detecting, prosecuting and sentencing CEM offences. In addition, the council consulted with key agencies from Queensland's legal community and victim advocates, as well as community members, content experts and relevant agencies in other Australian and international jurisdictions. This broad consultation revealed Queensland is well respected for its professionalism in CEM investigation at national and international levels. Consequently, the council was determined to ensure any system used for classification of CEM in Queensland supports and builds on this reputation. Administrative data collected by criminal justice agencies was analysed to gain an appreciation of the Queensland context of CEM offending and offenders. This report provides the outcomes of this analysis. The report is structured in six chapters, initially introducing the current approach to classifying CEM in Queensland, outlining what is known about CEM offending and CEM offenders, and comparing Queensland's approach to other jurisdictions. The review culminates by proposing a new approach for classifying CEM for sentencing purposes, referred to as the Q-CEM Package. Mechanisms designed to support and evaluate the Q-CEM Package, and Queensland's readiness to continue to meet the many challenges associated with this evolving crime type, are also proposed. Key findings CEM is not a victimless crime. These offences harm real children and the repeated circulation of CEM depicting this abuse continues their victimisation. Victims of CEM report lifelong impacts as a result of the abuse and re-victimisation via sharing of the material. It is difficult to permanently or fully remove images from circulation. Delays are associated with CEM cases. The council's research confirmed anecdotal evidence that delays were associated with the criminal justice response to CEM. The delays are most prevalent between charging an offender and proceeding to a committal hearing. During this period, police undertake typically complex forensic processes and classify detected CEM. CEM is an international crime with a local footprint. CEM is a technology-enabled crime and, as such, will continue to evolve and expand in line with the exponential growth and global interconnectivity of technology. Queensland child victims and Queensland offenders require a suitable response from state and Commonwealth criminal justice agencies. National and international cooperation is essential. All Australian state and territory jurisdictions are seeking a platform to support cooperation at national and international levels. A common platform promotes harmonised classification language to respond to the international dimension of these crimes. Common platforms are designed to address time and welfare burdens on criminal justice agencies by sharing data about CEM encountered in other jurisdictions. They enhance victim identification efforts by enabling a stronger focus on new material. Data analysis, research and a commitment to practice evaluation are important. Identifying how this crime type is shifting remains a critical issue for Queensland. Keeping pace will build on the state's reputation for innovation, and reflects the commitment this state has to protecting Queensland children and families. Queensland needs a system that balances the requirements of all criminal justice agencies. Classification for sentencing must balance the demands on law enforcement to identify victims and offenders with the mechanisms required to prosecute and sentence offenders. The QCEM Package is specifically designed to address these critical functions of a system responsible for removing children from harm and bringing offenders to account. Queensland needs to adopt an enhanced approach to sexting and promoting prevention of CEM offending. Establishing mechanisms to provide support to families, schools and other organisations that can raise awareness among young people about how to remain safe online is essential. There is also a role to encourage offenders and potential offenders into treatment for their sexual interest in children. Details: Brisbane: The Council, 2017. 150p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed July 31, 2017 at: http://www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/531503/cem-final-report-july-2017.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://www.sentencingcouncil.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/531503/cem-final-report-july-2017.pdf Shelf Number: 146623 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseOnline VictimizationSentencingSex Offenders |
Author: Telethon Kids Institute Title: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Children and Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Contexts Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse commissioned the Telethon Kids Institute to collaborate on a report examining the question of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children's past and contemporary vulnerability to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts. The research team was guided and supported by the advisory group and the Royal Commission's Aboriginal Knowledge Circle. The report addresses the following questions developed by the Royal Commission and advisory group: In the past, were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at risk of sexual abuse in institutions? What have been the impacts of past racist legislation, policies and practices on the well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and in turn the risk of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being placed in contemporary institutions? In the present day, are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at risk of sexual abuse in institutions? This research draws on multiple sources of evidence. The research team drew on the substantial expertise, knowledge and experience of the advisory group. The research team and advisory group worked together in an iterative process of reviewing material and filling gaps in existing evidence. While the research team could only draw on material that has been documented and evidenced, they acknowledge that there is much evidence that is oral and much work needed to be done to overcome the inherent bias in the kinds of accounts that make up the historical evidence base. Both the advisory group and the Aboriginal Knowledge Circle provided cultural governance over this project and were also critical in contributing their knowledge of oral histories so that the researchers could go back and look for documented evidence of events. The research team also reviewed national and state inquiries that addressed, in whole or part, the past and present vulnerability of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children to physical, emotional and sexual abuse. Details: Sydney:Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. 62p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 4, 2017 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/0da4f253-3442-40d5-b5db-7c31aae80fd9/Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-children-and Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/getattachment/0da4f253-3442-40d5-b5db-7c31aae80fd9/Aboriginal-and-Torres-Strait-Islander-children-and Shelf Number: 146721 Keywords: Aboriginal PersonsChild Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseCorrections-Based Sexual AbuseIndigenous PeoplesInstitutional Abuse |
Author: Belton, Emma Title: Assessing the Risk, Protecting the Child: Final Evaluation Report Summary: Assessing the Risk, Protecting the Child (ARPC) is an NSPCC service that assesses men who pose a sexual risk to children and are not in the criminal justice system. The service includes an assessment of the man deemed to be a risk, as well as the capacity of the non-abusing parent/carer to protect the child, and the views and wishes of the children involved. The service was delivered at nine NSPCC sites from 2011-2016. This final evaluation report summarises the findings from the already published qualitative evaluation and integrates this with survey results and tracking data of what happens after assessments are completed. The main findings are: - The voice of the child work was the unique aspect of ARPC, but in over a third of assessments the child's voice was not included as they were either too young or did not feel comfortable taking part. The guide gives some suggestions about how the child's voice can be incorporated in these circumstances, but additional guidance on how to include the child's voice could enhance this work further. - The majority of referrers felt that the assessment reports were of a high quality and helped them form a judgement about the actions needed to protect children. The independent nature of the reports was a key factor in their usefulness. - Referrers, men and protective parents/carers felt that reports could be made more accessible and would find it helpful if the report author discussed it with them face-to-face. The time taken to produce reports could also be shortened. - Although most referrers agreed with report recommendations, one-third of recommendations had not been implemented six months post-assessment, in part because the support suggested was not available locally. Some referrers would have welcomed more guidance on implementing recommendations. The development of the NSPCC Together for Childhood centres may assist in providing the post-assessment professional consultation that some referrers would have found helpful. - Reports assess risk at one particular time-point, and the impact of child protection will be limited to family circumstances remaining the same. Risk should be managed through the lifelong safety plan and, where circumstances change, a referral may be needed to another agency for an updated risk assessment. - The NSPCC is no longer accepting referrals into the ARPC service. This decision follows a strategic review of all of our programmes and resources available to deliver them. Consideration was given to ARPC's fit with our new strategy and the results of this evaluation, and it was felt that greater outcomes for children could be achieved through investment in alternative programmes. The learning from the evaluation may be of use to other agencies delivering this type of work Details: London: National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children, 2017. 64p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 5, 2017 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/evaluation-of-services/assessing-the-risk-protecting-the-child-final-evaluation.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/evaluation-of-services/assessing-the-risk-protecting-the-child-final-evaluation.pdf Shelf Number: 146747 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseRisk Assessment |
Author: Berelowitz, Sue Title: If only someone had listened : Office of the Children's Commissioner's inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups. Final report Summary: Despite increased awareness and a heightened state of alert regarding child sexual exploitation children are still slipping through the net and falling prey to sexual predators. Serious gaps remain in the knowledge, practice and services required to tackle this problem. There are pockets of good practice, but much still needs to be done to prevent thousands more children falling victim. This is the principal finding of "If only someone had listened" - the Final Report of the Inquiry of the Office of the Children's Commissioner into Child Sexual Exploitation in Gangs and Groups (CSEGG). In many areas the required agencies have only recently started to come together to tackle the issue despite the statutory guidance issued by the Government in 2009. A comparison of Local Safeguarding Children Boards (LSCB) current practice against this guidance indicates that only 6% of LSCBs were meeting the requirements in full, with around one third not even meeting half of them. Substantial gaps remain in the availability of specialist provision for victims of child sexual exploitation (CSE). This report outlines the urgent steps needed so that children can be effectively made and kept safe - from decision-making at senior levels to the practitioner working with individual child victims - whether a social worker, police officer, health clinician, teacher or anyone else who has contact with children. Phase 1 of the Inquiry reported that a total of 2,409 children were known to be victims of CSE by gangs and groups. In addition the Inquiry identified 16,500 children and young people as being at risk of CSE. Many of the known victims had been badly let down by those agencies and services that should have been protecting them. The reality is that children and young people are continuing to fall victim to exploitation. Although there are heightened efforts to address this issue, too many agencies and services are still failing to safeguard children and young people effectively. We have seen examples, however, of local services who are putting children at the centre of everything they do. In these places there is a coherent and collaborative response to CSE with utmost commitment from the most senior to frontline staff, thereby offering greater protection for children threatened by, or experiencing, sexual exploitation. These examples have informed our view of what needs to be done in those places where children are not being protected and is encapsulated in the Inquiry's new operational and strategic Framework - See Me, Hear Me. Details: London: Office of the Children's Commissioner, 2013. 123p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 22, 2017 at: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/18861/1/If_only_someone_had_listened_Office_of_the_Childrens_Commissioners_Inquiry_into_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_in_Gangs_and_Groups.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/18861/1/If_only_someone_had_listened_Office_of_the_Childrens_Commissioners_Inquiry_into_Child_Sexual_Exploitation_in_Gangs_and_Groups.pdf Shelf Number: 131717 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation (U.K.)PornographyYouth Gangs |
Author: Belton, Emma Title: Assessing the Risk: Protecting the Child. Referrers' Perspectives Summary: Assessing the Risk Protecting the Child is a service that works with men who may be a risk to children. Social workers send men to the service to try to help families keep their children safe. Social workers who are worried about a child use the service to see if the man is a danger to the child and whether the parent/carer can keep the child safe from harm. The service also speaks to the child to check how they are feeling about things at home. This report looks at how well social workers thought the assessments went. It also looks at how assessments could be better and how they helped to make decisions such as what can be done to look after the children. This was done by interviewing social workers. Findings from the research show that: - Social workers found that the reports they got back helped them understand more about the family they worked with and how to keep children safe. - Some social workers thought that it took too long to get the reports back. This meant that it took a long time for families to find out what would happen next. Sometimes social workers also thought that the reports were too long and the words used meant that families couldn't always understand them. - Social workers felt that workers at the NSPCC worked well with families so that they could open up and speak more freely. NSPCC staff were seen as being separate from children's service. This meant that families felt like they weren't being judged. - The sessions with children helped them to understand what was going on at home. The sessions with parents/carers helped them by giving them information on how to keep their children safe. This could also encourage parents/carers to make better choices when protecting their children. - Social workers found the ideas the NSPCC had about keeping children safe helpful. Sometimes they would have liked some help with putting the ideas into action. Details: London: National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children, 2015. 48p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed August 23, 2017 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/evaluation-of-services/assessing-the-risk-protecting-the-child-referrers-perspectives.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/evaluation-of-services/assessing-the-risk-protecting-the-child-referrers-perspectives.pdf Shelf Number: 146882 Keywords: Abusive MenChild Abuse and Neglect Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Risk AssessmentSocial Workers |
Author: Scott, Sara Title: Aycliffe CSE innovation project: evaluation report: July 2016 Summary: The rise in concern about sexual exploitation and the difficulties of keeping exploited young people safe in the community has resulted in more referrals of sexually exploited young women to secure accommodation. However, depriving young people of their liberty on welfare grounds is a contentious issue, particularly given a lack of evidence of its effectiveness in improving outcomes. Within this context, the central question being tested by this pilot was: can secure accommodation provide a therapeutic environment, engage sexually exploited young people with appropriate therapeutic support and support their transitions into a safer life in the community? Key Findings Development of the pilot: - The pilot project was efficiently established and, by June 2015, staff for the specialist house were appointed and trained and the first young women were admitted. - A strong core team was created which included Barnardo's and Odysseus staff working alongside residential workers. A shared ethos was developed, although in the first few months, consistency of approach was sometimes impeded by under-staffing and reliance on cover staff. - Over the course of its implementation the planned model of working has evolved with a number of changes made to its original design: - The step-down facility was not pursued; - Individual trauma-focused therapy was not provided for most young women; - After a brief period of education being provided in the house, almost all young women attended Aycliffe's main provision. However, the biggest difference between what was planned and what occurred related to the source of referrals. Rather than coming mainly from the north east, referrals came from much further afield and this has a major impact on the sustainability of the transitional and throughcare support that has been provided. Outcomes for young people: - Over the course of the pilot period, eleven young women have been resident in the specialist house, mainly referred on 3 month orders (with some extended to 6 months). Ages have ranged from 13 to 17 years. - Most of these young women had extremely troubled backgrounds, often including major experiences of violence and abuse. In most cases, the precipitating factor for seeking a secure order was frequency of missing episodes, placement breakdowns and serious concerns for the young women's safety. - The development of positive relationships with staff was a key objective of the pilot and staff succeeded in developing some very postive relationships. However, the attachment difficulties of the young women have presented major challenges. These have been compounded by the time-limited and brief nature of the secure placements as well as the mix of young people in terms of age and need. - There is some evidence for an increase in the young women's understanding of the impact of child sexual explanation (CSE), although this has varied between individuals. - There is also some evidence of improvements in the mental and emotional well-being of some young people during their time at Aycliffe. However, the project has been unable to address the complex underlying difficulties affecting many of the young women referred in the short time available to do so. - Some young people have engaged well with education while at Aycliffe although there has been uncertainty about how best to accommodate education alongside therapeutic needs. Planning for future education or training has been limited by the difficulties of achieving well planned transitions to suitable placements. - In most cases, positive transitions into suitable placements have not been achieved. Local Authority planning has been poor and placements difficult to find. Placements have often been identified only very shortly before young women have been due to move. However, the project has involved families well wherever possible and, despite many placements being far-flung, workers have provided considerable support to young people during and following transitions. Outcomes for Aycliffe - Staff report increased knowledge and confidence in relation to working with CSE affected young people. 100% of staff have completed a 5 day training course on trauma, attachment and CSE which was very positively received. - There is some early evidence that a more therapeutic culture is emerging across Aycliffe and this can partly be attributed to the Innovations project. The introduction of clinical supervision has been welcomed by most staff and is making a difference. - There is evidence that sustaining relationships across transitions from secure accomodation into the community is appreciated by young people, parents and social workers. Details: Feethams, Darlington: UK: Department of Education, 2016. 84p. Source: Internet Resource: Children's Social Care Innovation Programme Evaluation Report 03: Accessed August 28, 2017 at: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/26762/1/Aycliffe_CSE_Project_report.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/26762/1/Aycliffe_CSE_Project_report.pdf Shelf Number: 146924 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCost Benefit AnalysisFoster CareYoung Adults |
Author: Kirtley, Paul Title: "If you Shine a Light you will probably find it": Report of a grass Roots Survey of Health Professionals with Regard to their Experiences in Dealing with Child Sexual Exploitation Summary: The report is based on an accumulation of views, comments and experiences from a wide range of health and associated voluntary workers who have been involved in responding to Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) or personal experiences of Serious Case Reviews relating to child sexual abuse. The contributors came from many areas of the country, and included representatives from rural areas, inner city, industrial towns and tourist destinations. These terms and those below, describing actual job titles, have been kept deliberately vague as the attendees were promised anonymity. The purpose of the Forum and the subsequent discussions was to provide an environment in which the health workers could be open and honest without fear of any repercussions. This enabled them to talk about what went well and what didn't go well, where the barriers were and what they would do differently in a similar situation so that we can all learn from their experiences. This was a 'grass-roots' survey and everything written in the report is based on the personal comments made by the contributors either personally to Dr. Kirtley or at the Forum. The report reflects their knowledge, their experiences, their thoughts and their opinions. We have deliberately not used any other sources. By its very nature the report, therefore, cannot be nor does it pretend to be wholly inclusive and there may be gaps in what has been covered. The participants do, however, provide a wealth of safeguarding experience in Healthcare. There are many experienced and knowledgeable Health Professionals but they are limited to their geographical or immediate clinical areas of expertise. There does not appear to be many individuals who could be called overall "experts" in CSE within the NHS. But all those spoken to were experts within their own locality and their own field of work. The discussions were wide-ranging and actually brought up more questions than answers, but we felt in a position at the end of the exercise to make recommendations and decide on the next steps. Details: London: National Health Service, 2013. 46p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed October 7, 2017 at: http://www.nhs.uk/aboutNHSChoices/professionals/healthandcareprofessionals/child-sexual-exploitation/Documents/Shine%20a%20Light.pdf Year: 2013 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.nhs.uk/aboutNHSChoices/professionals/healthandcareprofessionals/child-sexual-exploitation/Documents/Shine%20a%20Light.pdf Shelf Number: 147606 Keywords: Child ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild Trafficking |
Author: Rotenberg, Cristine Title: Police-reported sexual assaults in Canada, 2009 to 2014: A statistical profile Summary: - Over a six-year period between 2009 and 2014, police reported 117,238 sexual assaults in Canada where sexual assault was the most serious violation in the incident. - Almost all (98%) police-reported sexual assaults were classified as level 1 offences (assault without a weapon or evidence of bodily harm). - The median age of victims of police-reported sexual assault was 18 years. The majority (87%) of victims were female, particularly young women and girls. One in four (26%) victims were children aged 13 and younger. This is more than four times greater than the proportion of child victims of physical assault (6%). - An accused was identified in 60% of police-reported sexual assaults, of which 69% were charged. Overall, less than half (41%) of police-reported sexual assaults resulted in a charge being laid, compared with half (50%) of physical assaults. - The vast majority (98%) of accused charged with sexual assault were male, with a median age of 33 years. - The median delay in reporting to police-the time between when the offence took place and when it was reported to police - was 25 days for sexual assaults, compared with only two days for physical assaults. The longest delay in reporting to police was observed among incidents involving children sexually assaulted by their parent, with a median delay of one year. - Of sexual assaults where a charge was laid by police, the majority (87%) of victims knew their assailant; most commonly as a casual acquaintance, a family member, or an intimate partner. Only a small proportion (13%) of sexual assaults were perpetrated by someone who was a stranger to the victim. - Most (83%) victims of sexual assault were sexually assaulted by someone older than them. Of these charged cases, the median age gap between the victim and their assailant was 13 years. These findings are in contrast to those for physical assault, where victims were most commonly assaulted by someone in their peer age group (within five years). - One in five (19%) sexual assaults with a charge laid were perpetrated by an accused that may meet the age-based criteria for pedophilia. This includes incidents where the accused was 16 years of age and older, the victim was 13 years of age and younger, and there was at least a five year age gap between them (as stipulated by clinical criteria). Over half (55%) of these cases involved a child sexually assaulted by an older family member. Details: Ottawa: Statistics Canada, 2017. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Juristat: Accessed November 9, 2017 at: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54866-eng.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Canada URL: http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2017001/article/54866-eng.pdf Shelf Number: 148090 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCrime StatisticsRapeSex CrimeSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund Title: Harmful Connections: Examining the relationship between violence against women and violence against children in the South Pacific Summary: Violence against women (VAW) is widely condemned as a fundamental violation of human rights and is recognized as a significant public health problem, causing enormous social harm and costs to national economies (WHO, 2013: 2). It is also widely acknowledged that such violence has an effect on children (Fulu, E et.al., 2013: 5). This report is a literature review that aims to develop a deeper understanding of what is known about the connection between violence against women and violence against children (VAC) in the South Pacific Island countries. It consolidates existing evidence from studies on the intersections between VAW and VAC and focuses specifically on Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Island, Tonga and Vanuatu. The review provided an opportunity to conduct a robust comparative analysis of the data at different levels including country-level analysis. For the purpose of this review, the term 'violence against women' means "any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life" (UN, 1993). The review draws from definitions from the United Nations Secretary-General's Study on Violence against Children which is used as an overall framework for addressing VAC. The term 'child' refers to "every human being below the age of 18 years" and the term 'violence against children' refers to all forms of physical, mental violence, injury and abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, maltreatment and exploitation, including sexual abuse as the intentional use of physical force or power, threatened or actual, against a child, by an individual or group, that either results in or has a high likelihood of resulting in actual or potential harm to the child's health, survival, development or dignity" (UNSG, 2006: 6) Details: Suva, Fiji: UNICEF Pacific, 2015. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed November 13, 2017 at: https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/Harmful_Connections(1).pdf Year: 2015 Country: Asia URL: https://www.unicef.org/pacificislands/Harmful_Connections(1).pdf Shelf Number: 148156 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChildren and ViolenceDhild Abuse and NeglectViolence Against Women, Children |
Author: University of Edinburgh Title: A Secondary Analysis of Data from Childline Zimbabwe. Summary: KEY FINDINGS - In 2014, Childline received a total of 15,446 reports; half were received by the helpline and the other half came in through one of its 31 drop-in centres located across the country. - Fifty-four per cent of all reports received in 2014 were about abuse, at a rate of 123.9 reports per 100,000 children; the remaining 46 per cent were reports of "children in need", at a rate of 106.9 per 100,000 children. - Slightly more than one in three (39 per cent) reports of abuse received in 2014 were about sexual abuse, followed by neglect (25 per cent), physical abuse (22 per cent), emotional abuse (12 per cent) and bullying (2 per cent). - Among all reports of abuse in 2014, around two in three (70 per cent) were reports about girls compared to one in three about boys (30 per cent). - Among girls reported to have experienced some form of abuse in 2014, the majority were reported as having experienced sexual abuse while the largest proportion of reports received about boys were for reasons of neglect. - Of all reports of abuse received by the helpline for both sexes in 2014, around one in three were reports about children between the ages of 13 and 15 years. - Fifty-five per cent of abuse reports about girls received by the helpline in 2014 were about those aged 13-17 years compared to 36 per cent of abuse reports made about boys for this age group. - Reports of sexual abuse received by the helpline in 2014 were more common among older age groups than younger ones, while neglect and physical abuse became less commonly reported. - Across all age groups of boys, the most commonly reported forms of abuse received by the helpline in 2014 were physical abuse and neglect; reports related to sexual abuse against girls increased with age. - At most drop-in centres in 2014, reports of abuse about girls were more likely than those about boys. - There was a 21 per cent increase in the number of reports received by Childline between 2011 and 2014. - Between 2011 and 2014, there was a 163 per cent increase in reports received by the helpline while there was a 20 per cent decrease in reports received by drop-in centres over this same time period. - Reports about sexual abuse received by Childline (through both the helpline and drop-in centres) showed a 100 per cent increase during the four-year period from 2011 to 2014. - Reports of abuse received about girls remained consistently higher than those received about boys between 2011 and 2014. - Childline has seen a 70 and 80 per cent increase in the number of reports of physical abuse against boys and girls, respectively, between 2011 and 2014; there has also been a 109 per cent increase in the number of reports of sexual abuse against girls during this time period. Details: Harare, UNICEF, 2016. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 6, 2017 at: https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/161020_Unicef_UZ_01_Final_Secondary_analysis.pdf Year: 2016 Country: Zimbabwe URL: https://www.unicef.org/zimbabwe/161020_Unicef_UZ_01_Final_Secondary_analysis.pdf Shelf Number: 148747 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild MaltreatmentChild Sexual AbuseViolence Against Children |
Author: Hamilton-Giachritsis, Catherine Title: Everyone deserves to be happy and safe: A mixed methods study exploring how online and offline child sexual abuse impact young people and how professionals respond to it Summary: This study sought to develop an understanding of: - How young people who have experienced online or offline sexual abuse are impacted by it - with a focus on their voices and perspectives - Any specific effects of technology-assisted sexual abuse and related support needs - Professional responses to young people affected by sexual abuse and professional perceptions of technology-assisted abuse and its impact - Young people's views on how prevention and intervention around sexual abuse, particularly technology-assisted, could be improved This mixed methods exploratory study (for methods and participant numbers see Table 1) was approved by three ethics committees (the NSPCC, University of Birmingham, University of Bath). Carrying out this research required careful balancing of young people's rights of 'protection' and 'participation'. While the research represents an important step in identifying the impact of and responses to child sexual abuse in the UK today, especially that which is technology-assisted, its limitations must be borne in mind. In addition to the small samples sizes and the cross-sectional nature of the sample, it is important to keep in mind the potential biases related to the sample recruitment. The young people interviewed and who answered the questionnaires were recruited from NSPCC services, Childline and the National Crime Agency. Key findings - Online abuse is sometimes perceived as having less impact and being of less immediate concern than offline abuse by professionals. - TA-CSA abuse is no less impactful than offline-only sexual abuse. - Technology provides additional routes both to access young people to abuse, and to manipulate and silence them. - With TA-CSA, there are additional elements for young people to contend with, related to control, permanence, blackmail, revictimisation and self-blame. - Some professionals noted that victims are more often 'blamed', seen as participating in the abuse or do not see it as abuse when it is online. Details: London: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 2017. 73p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed December 7, 2017 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/impact-online-offline-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/impact-online-offline-child-sexual-abuse.pdf Shelf Number: 148750 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseComputer CrimesOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Quadara, Antonia Title: Framework for historical influences on institutional child sexual abuse: 1950-2014 Summary: The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse engaged the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to develop a framework to analyse and present information about historical influences on institutional child sexual abuse for the period 1950- 2014. The purpose of the mapping exercise was to create: - a framework for describing how different mechanisms influenced responses to institutional child sexual abuse - summaries of the information contained in the reports1 - 'at a glance' maps of the social norms, policies, laws and practices that shaped responses to institutional child sexual abuse in different eras. It was initially envisaged that all institutions within the Royal Commission's Terms of Reference would be within scope2 , including educational settings, sporting clubs and organisations, and other child-focused institutions. However, it became apparent that over time the nature of institutional settings in which children spent their time became more diffuse: since the 1970s onwards, not only has out-of-home care (OOHC) been deinstitutionalised but children now spend more time than they previously did so in an array of extra-familial care settings such as licensed childcare centres, before- and after-school care, and sporting clubs and organisations, and sports and recreation (Pratt, 2005). Information - scholarly or otherwise - about the historical developments in institutional practices, protocols and workforce capabilities in these organisations' responses to child sexual abuse is also lacking. Where it is accessible, it is often state- or territory-specific. Therefore, I was able to make only limited observations about the institutional cultures and practices in these different settings for the more recent decades. It was ultimately decided in consultation with the Royal Commission that these other institutions were beyond the scope and constraints of the project. Given that the five reports primarily focused on OOHC, it was agreed that the project should similarly limit its focus to OOHC. It is important to note that this project was not intended to be an exhaustive, historically complete reflection of each time period, but, in the first instance, a diagrammatic conceptual representation of different factors that shape responses to disclosures of institutional child sexual abuse and which could then be used to describe relevant influences for each of the decades from 1950 to the current period. It was also not intended to be a review of the extant research literature. The primary sources of information were intended to be the reviews cited above. Where necessary, this has been supplemented with the available Australian literature and relevant international literature. It was anticipated that the framework could be used in the longer term to better understand the historical context of institutional child sexual abuse. As such, it is hoped that the framework is increasingly refined and developed as more information comes to light and is potentially applied to contexts other than OOHC. Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. 44p./ Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 1, 2018 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/research_report_-_frameworks_for_historical_influences_on_institutional_child_sexual_abuse_-_causes.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/research_report_-_frameworks_for_historical_influences_on_institutional_child_sexual_abuse_-_causes.pdf Shelf Number: 148963 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseCorrections-Based Sexual AbuseInstitutional Care |
Author: Kerr, Jane Title: Responding to child sexual abuse and exploitation in the night-time economy Summary: Following high-profile cases of CSE (such as in Rotherham, Oxford and Rochdale), there have been a range of campaigns aimed at increasing people's awareness of, and capacity to act on, warning signs. Informing those who work in the night-time economy is of particular interest, as perpetrators are known to use fast-food outlets, taxi firms and hotel rooms to facilitate and conduct abuse. For this research, the night-time economy was defined as businesses and services that have direct contact with the public after 6pm. NatCen conducted an online questionnaire with 126 self-defined night-time economy workers across a range of legitimate industries within the public, private and third sectors. Key messages - The study found diversity in workers' awareness of the warning signs of CSA/CSE, knowledge of how to respond, experience of and interest in training, and awareness of campaigns. Key findings were that: - Perceptions of risk ranged from high to none at all across the industries and roles. - Being aware of the risks did not mean workers were clear about the warning signs or about how to respond; this appeared more to be associated with the responsibilities of their role. Participants whose roles include responsibility for child or public protection gave details of how they would respond to warning signs. Those with other roles referred more broadly to contacting the police or social services. - Not all workers in the night-time economy feel equipped to recognise and respond to the warning signs. Factors that appeared to influence how participants said they would react to the warning signs were: 1. The individual's role/remit specifically in relation to child protection; there were workers who did not see responding to CSA, including CSE, as part of their role 2. The extent of their contact with young people 3. The immediate perceived risk to the child. - Levels of training, information and support around CSE varied across industry sectors; training is not widespread across the night-time economy. Interest in receiving training and information was mixed, with a view that the issues and responses were 'common sense' or not part of their role. There was positive feedback on training that had been received, and some interest in receiving more. Those who did want further training mentioned specific training relating to their area of work, or ongoing training. - Two-fifths of participants had heard of one or more recent campaigns around CSE, even though many of those campaigns had targeted specific geographical locations. This research was intended as a preliminary stage of exploration into what night-time economy workers know and do about CSE/CSA. Further research could focus on fully understanding workers' knowledge of this area, evaluating the interventions aimed at night-time economy workers, and informing targeted initiatives and general messaging that the welfare of children and young people in the night-time economy is a responsibility that transcends workers' specific roles. Details: Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, 2017. 30p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 2, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/night-time-economy/responding-to-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-the-night-time-economy/ Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/night-time-economy/responding-to-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-the-night-time-economy/ Shelf Number: 0 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationNight-time Economy |
Author: Child Protection Centers and Services (CPCS) NGO Nepal Title: The Street Children of Kathmandu: Study, approaches and comments on the daily life of street-based children of the Nepalese capital Summary: They are called Raju, Dinesh, Sunita, Bikram, or Akash. In the company of many others they spend their childhood and adolescence living on the streets of Kathmandu. In turn, they warm their frozen hands on the hot coals of a furnace, in turn they sing alone in the dark deserted streets scavenging for any profitable waste, in turn they hassle a passer-by to beg a couple of rupees, in turn they are happy when they fill their empty stomachs with a hot meal, in turn they are sad for having lost a precious trinket, in turn they laugh at the new pleasures that city life has to offer them, in turn they cry remembering the villages they left behind, in turn protector, in turn raped, in turn a player, in turn beaten, in turn a good prince, in turn hunted, in turn living and in turn dead - but in each step, each dream, they remain children and free. Who are these children? Where do they come from? How can they live without parents at such a young age? Are they tempted by soft or hard drugs? What dangers will their lives encounter? In what type of social context do they grow up? Are they surrounded by an education system? These are seven questions that this book will try to illuminate. Other than answers, in this book you will find a new approach to these various questions, mixed with emotions and life experience, as there exists neither theory nor formula to try to understand the magical, tragic and worrying lives that defines the street and the micro-society which the children establish. The service and street workers of CPCS estimate that the number of children living on the street is between 800 to 1100, for Kathmandu alone and its valley. This information has been confirmed by most of the major organisations and other research. This study focuses on these children in particular, as we remain convinced that caution should be used with regards to the multiple "categories" that illustrate the link between the children and the street. The contextual and situational differences between "street children, children in the street, street-working children, street-living children, children with a street-relationship, urban children at risks, etc" appear in effect to be more pertinent in detailed expert analysis than actual reality. This book is based on a survey carried-out with 430 children, 430 lives. In particular, it is the result of an unfinished common working platform between more than 40 people and more than a dozen Nepalese and international experts. The hope is that this book will convey helpful new elements, clues and suggestions that will prove useful not only to NGOs and social workers but also to the general public, as our aim is to reach as many audiences as possible. We remain convinced that it is through a society as a whole, and not only just organisations or governments, that we can bring about an improvement to the condition of these lives and ultimately the social rehabilitation of these children. With this in mind, we have attempted to base ourselves less on the statistics and analysis of data, but rather concentrate our research on children's interviews, illustrations and photos, and in particular on the advice of recognised Nepalese social workers and international experts. At first sight, they may appear to be a certain confusion as the reader is taken on a journey through scientific analysis, essays, witness accounts, and documents. Nevertheless, this confusion permits us to understand the complexity of the situation and the diverse analyses possible. Details: Dillibazaar, Kathmandu: CPCS Nepal, 2007. 194p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 13, 2018 at: http://cpcs.international/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/the-street-children-of-kathmandu_en_2007.pdf Year: 2007 Country: Nepal URL: http://cpcs.international/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/the-street-children-of-kathmandu_en_2007.pdf Shelf Number: 149114 Keywords: BeggingChild Sexual AbuseDrug Abuse and AddictionGangsStreet Children (Nepal)Street Workers |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: Evidence-based models of policing to protect children from sexual exploitation Summary: Key Messages CSA was named as a national threat in England and Wales in March 2015. CSE, particularly online CSE, is now mentioned in the strategic policing requirement. Policing activity to respond to CSE has accelerated in recent years. Inspections have found evidence of good practice and improvements to policing of CSE, but have also documented on-going challenges facing the police. Inspections show that police forces are not using their disruption powers to full effect and research shows that information sharing between police and local authorities can be a major barrier to safeguarding children from CSE. Information on the number of CSE convictions is not readily available: police do not receive intelligence about all CSE-related crimes; many cases are never reported and there are inconsistent approaches to record keeping between and within forces. That said, published offence data for 2015/16 shows an increase in reporting of all sexual offence categories compared to 2014/15. Published research about 'what works' in policing to obtain prosecutions is absent. This is the first study of its kind to document the ways in which some police forces in England have structured their CSE responses. This is also the first study of its kind to assess the features of CSE policing responses in relation to the outcomes for victims. Despite this, understanding of the relationship between policing responses and prosecution outcomes remains elusive in light of problematic data recording within police and CPS systems. Details: Luton, Bedfordshire, UK: University Of Bedfordshire, The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking, 2017. 91p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 14, 2018 at: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/571145/Evidence-based-models-of-policing.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/571145/Evidence-based-models-of-policing.pdf Shelf Number: 149149 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual abuseChild Sexual ExploitationPolicing |
Author: Council of Europe. Lanzarote Committee Title: Protection of Children Against Sexual Abuse in the Circle of Trust: The Strategies Summary: Council of Europe's Lanzarote Committee analyses the strategies used by 26 European countries to protect children against sexual abuse in the circle of trust (extended family and persons close to the child who exercise influence over the child). According to the report, states-parties to the Council of Europe's Convention on the protection of children against sexual exploitation and sexual abuse (Lanzarote Convention) are undertaking effective steps in this field. Enabling children to take an active part in the development and adoption of policies is a highly promising practice. Almost all parties' national authorities cooperate with civil society organisations and the private sector in awareness-raising, education and training of people working with children to prevent child sexual abuse. The report stresses the important role of the media in informing about child sexual abuse paying particular attention to the full respect for the privacy and the rights of the child. In Croatia and Romania, for instance, it is prohibited to reveal the identity or any other information about the private life of a child. Details: Strasbourg: The Committee, 2018. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 2018 at: https://rm.coe.int/t-es-2017-12-en-final-report-cot-strategies-with-executive-summary/1680788770 Year: 2018 Country: Europe URL: https://rm.coe.int/t-es-2017-12-en-final-report-cot-strategies-with-executive-summary/1680788770 Shelf Number: 149181 Keywords: Child Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual ExploitationMedia |
Author: Perkins, Derek Title: Interventions for perpetrators of online child sexual exploitation: a scoping review and gap analysis Summary: Technology has become a primary medium for child sexual abuse and exploitation. Like offline behaviour, technology-facilitated abuse and exploitation can take many forms, such as the recording of the sexual assault of a child or communicating with a child via mobile devices. Online and offline spaces are not always clearly distinguishable: abuse and exploitation can start in one space and move to the other. In this report, we describe sexually abusive activities towards a child or young person as 'online child sexual abuse' (OCSA) - or, where there are gains beyond sexual gratification, 'online child sexual exploitation' (OCSE) - if they are carried out via technology. Various interventions for perpetrators of OCSA and OCSE are available, ranging from one-toone sessions to manualised treatment groups. Little is known about the effectiveness of existing interventions, and whether there are gaps in the current intervention response. To improve knowledge of treatment in these areas, this scoping review obtained information from three sources: - online searches - a literature review and enquiries to service providers in relation to existing interventions - an online survey of experts and stakeholders - in-depth interviews drawn from the survey participants. These yielded information about the different interventions currently provided for perpetrators of OCSA/E, their effectiveness (where known), gaps within current interventions, and forthcoming challenges in the field. Key messages from the research Lack of evaluation and research Law enforcement, offender management and child protection services have had to be responsive to the urgent and growing issue of OCSA/E, despite limited evidence on the underlying psychological models of OCSA/E behaviour. Responding to need has, understandably, outrun the collection of scientific evidence, and there has been a lack of systematic evaluation of interventions' effectiveness. Sense of being overwhelmed Whilst professionals involved in this area felt strongly about the positive impact of their work, they also communicated a sense of feeling overwhelmed with regard to the high numbers of OCSA/E perpetrators, the lack of funding available for their services, and the need for specific training for professionals involved in this area. Need to increase knowledge generation and exchange Professionals expressed a desire for enhanced knowledge generation and exchange, especially with regard to increasing the empirical knowledge base on the risks and needs presented by the perpetrators of OCSA/E, and the lack of professional tools to assist with decision-making regarding risk and treatment. Enhance existing intervention response Interventions for perpetrators of OCSA/E remain limited and are largely similar in their client focus, scope and funding approach. They predominantly focus on psychoeducation and addressing psychological markers of offending behaviour, are provided for adult males known to the criminal justice system, and are paid for by the client or as part of court-ordered or mandatory interventions. Early intervention focus The scoping review also identified a demand for a shift towards preventative approaches - to increase public awareness and targeted at young people through educational resources. Sex education, including internet safety and pornography use, was highlighted by professionals as needing to be an integral part of the school curriculum. Professionals also discussed the implications of providing interventions for OCSA/E perpetrators not known to the criminal justice system, and for non-offending individuals who may be concerned about their sexual interest. Characteristics of existing interventions Online offending has become a focus in interventions provided for people with a sexual conviction and their victims. This scoping review identified 48 services or agencies that contribute to interventions for OCSA/E offending by providing interventions themselves, commissioning or conducting relevant research, and providing knowledge exchange events for professionals. This included eight UK-based services that directly provide interventions for perpetrators of OCSA/E. Most interventions are focused on adult male perpetrators (predominantly those known to the criminal justice system), with limited support provided for adolescents, female perpetrators, or the perpetrator's support network such as family members or friends. The reviewed intervention services typically provide psychological assessments and individual or group treatment. A key difference between UK and some international providers is the ability of the latter to work with perpetrators without the requirement for statutory disclosure to the criminal justice system on matters that would require disclosure in the UK (for example in respect of specific information on past unprosecuted offences). Quality control in relation to the provided interventions is variable. The empirical research on which they are based is not always up to date or specific to the offender subgroup. Service evaluations mainly comprise qualitative feedback from service users rather than more multifaceted pre-post treatment assessments. Implications from the research The scoping review highlighted a number of areas for future development and professional practice: - Intervene earlier and more broadly. This includes offence-prevention strategies such as public education about the nature of OCSA/E and their legal classification, enhancing service provisions for nonoffending individuals attracted to children, and reducing access to sexually exploitative material of children and young people. - Enhance the treatment response for (known) offenders. This may include expanding the existing client target group, increasing accessibility of services and increasing staff support. It may also include staying up to date on emergent issues in the field, such as new opportunities for OCSA/E arising with novel technologies. - Generate and share knowledge. This may include OCSA/E-specific training for professionals working in the field, support for research engagement, and knowledge exchange and collaboration between professionals and partner agencies. A key research need is to conduct systematic intervention evaluations. Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 54p. Source: Internet Resource: Child sexual exploitation perpetrators research programme, report 5: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%205%20-%20Interventions%20for%20perpetrators%20of%20online%20CSE.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%205%20-%20Interventions%20for%20perpetrators%20of%20online%20CSE.pdf Shelf Number: 149208 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesIntervention ProgramsSex Offender TreatmentSex OffendersSocial Media |
Author: Walker, Kate Title: Characteristics and perspectives of adults who have sexually exploited children: Scoping research Summary: There is a lack of information about individuals who perpetrate child sexual exploitation (CSE) offences. This report describes one of three research projects commissioned by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse to build an evidence base about this population. The projects' aims were to: ‣ investigate the characteristics of those who commit CSE ‣ identify the nature and dynamics of their behaviours, their motivations and the way they target and exploit their victims. The report will be of interest to frontline practitioners, service providers, commissioners of services, policy makers, researchers and academics. Method Notes from police intelligence briefings with 27 perpetrators of CSE were analysed, using content analysis to extract demographic information about CSE perpetrators. Additionally, interviews were undertaken with 18 adults who had sexually offended against children; using the current (2017) Government definition of CSE for England, these 18 adults were classified as either CSE perpetrators (n = 11) or Non-CSE perpetrators (n = 7). Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview data, to identify common themes that captured the characteristics and motivations of CSE perpetrators. Key findings and gaps in research knowledge ‣ There has been little research to date that has specifically examined the characteristics, context and motivations of CSE perpetrators. ‣ It is difficult to identify CSE perpetrators, since most sexual offences are not specific to CSE and individuals who have committed CSE offences have not been categorised as such in the criminal justice system process. This makes it difficult to conduct research with this group. ‣ Adults in this sample who had committed CSE offences had experienced dysfunctional lives. They evidenced individual internal characteristics, such as mental health problems, low self-esteem and antisocial attributes. ‣ Many excessively used adult pornography and/or images that depicted children. ‣ Negative external influences were also present in their relationships and environments. These included chaotic intimate relationships, poor relationships with family members and peers, and violence and abusive relationships at home and school. ‣ Individuals believed that their offending was associated with a culmination of all the dysfunctional and negative experiences in their lives, including both internal and external influences. ‣ Individuals justified and 'explained' their offending behaviours, which enabled them to continue to offend. ‣ Motivation for offending was described as sexual gratification in this exploratory sample. ‣ An ecological framework can be used to understand the complexity and interplay between the individual, relationships, social, cultural and environmental factors associated with CSE. ‣ There are gaps in research knowledge as to whether the factors identified as associated with CSE perpetration are variable risk markers or fixed risk markers and whether these are casual risk factors that could be targeted in interventions. ‣ Little is known about the role and relevance of protective factors which can potentially mitigate perpetration. Implications and recommendations This is a difficult group to research, as they are largely 'hidden' in criminal justice system processes. A complex range of factors are associated with the commission of CSE, which means that there is no simple way of preventing individuals from perpetrating this type of offending. However, the evidence is still limited and we do not have a clear picture of the range of factors that lead to CSE offending, particularly across the wide range of offences that meet the definition of CSE. More research is therefore needed: for example, with a larger, national sample of individuals who have sexually exploited children and a wider range of CSE offences than has been captured in this exploratory study Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Child sexual exploitation perpetrators research programme, report 3: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%203%20-%20Characteristics%20and%20perspectives%20of%20adults%20who%20have%20sexually%20exploited%20children.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%203%20-%20Characteristics%20and%20perspectives%20of%20adults%20who%20have%20sexually%20exploited%20children.pdf Shelf Number: 149209 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet CrimesIntervention Programs Pornography Sex Offender Treatment Sex Offenders Social Media |
Author: Walker, Kate Title: Characteristics and motivations of perpetrators of child sexual exploitation: A rapid evidence assessment of research Summary: There is a lack of information about individuals who perpetrate child sexual exploitation (CSE) offences. This report describes one of three research projects to build an evidence base about this population. The project's aims were to: ‣ investigate the characteristics of those who commit CSE ‣ identify the nature and dynamics of their behaviours, their motivations and the way they target and exploit their victims. The report will be of interest to frontline practitioners, service providers, commissioners of services, policy makers, researchers and academics. Method A rapid review was conducted, finding 50 studies/reports where the offences met the definition of CSE and information could be extracted about perpetrators' characteristics, behaviours, motivations and methods of targeting/exploiting their victims. Key findings and gaps in research knowledge ‣ The majority of studies were conducted in the UK (19) and USA (18), with four conducted in Canada, three in New Zealand, two in France and one in each of Australia, Mexico, Germany and Sweden. It is important to note that some of these studies reviewed and/or combined the findings from a number of published studies, so each study's findings were not necessarily specific to its country of origin. ‣ The majority (37) of studies were of offenders who have committed exclusively online CSE offences, with only 10 examining non-online CSE offences and three covering both online and 'offline' offences; very limited knowledge was obtained regarding other types of CSE, such as CSE perpetrated within groups and gangs; offences such as human trafficking for, or resulting in, sexual exploitation; and the purchasing of sexual contact. This limits the extent to which the review's findings and observations can be generalised. ‣ Across the studies there were many methodological limitations such as inconsistencies in the definition of CSE, comparisons between groups of sexual offenders only (with a lack of other offender or non-offender control groups), lack of typical or normative data comparisons, and reliance on correlational data. These limit the potential to draw conclusions about causal influences. ‣ Perpetrators were generally identified as male, white and aged between 18 and 85 years (with the average age in individual studies ranging from 30 to 46 years); a high proportion were employed, with a large number of these in professional jobs. ‣ Mental health characteristics and psychological characteristics (personality traits) were examined only in relation to online CSE offences, and no research examined them in relation to other forms of CSE, e.g. CSE perpetrated in gangs or groups. ‣ In relation to online CSE, owing to methodological challenges and insufficient research it is impossible to isolate specific mental health or psychological characteristics that have a causal relationship with this type of offence. However, factors such as depression, anxiety, stress and suicidal ideation are most likely to be relevant. ‣ The evidence is weaker for psychological characteristics being associated with CSE; however, some attachment styles (e.g. not securely attached, fearful attachment) were associated with this group, and the formation of relationships appeared to be problematic. ‣ There was limited research that identified the motivations of CSE perpetrators; the studies that did so were generally those looking to develop typologies and categories of online offenders. The two key motivations found were sexual and financial. ‣ There was no research that specifically identified the way that perpetrators targeted/ exploited their victims, beyond explaining the context within which the exploitation occurred (i.e. online exploitation, gangs or trafficking/commercial dealings). It may be that such information could be located within the literature on victim-survivors, but including and analysing research on victim-survivors was beyond the scope of the current review. Implications and recommendations There is very little reliable information about the characteristics of individuals who perpetrate CSE offences, particularly those who do not commit offences in or using online environments. This significantly limits our ability to identify potential offenders and situations to target and design prevention strategies. More research is required to fully understand the characteristics and motivations of CSE perpetrators. That research will need to: ‣ have consistency and clarity regarding the definition of this type of offending and the different contexts within which it occurs ‣ use methodological research designs that allow differences and causal pathways to be reliably identified - for example, including appropriate non-offender control groups, longitudinal methods and large sample sizes (although this may be unrealistic, as studies are generally based on small, convicted samples by necessity) Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 40p. Source: Internet Resource: Child sexual exploitation perpetrators research programme, report 2: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%202%20-%20Characteristics%20and%20motivations%20of%20perpetrators%20of%20CSE.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%202%20-%20Characteristics%20and%20motivations%20of%20perpetrators%20of%20CSE.pdf Shelf Number: 149210 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet Crimes Intervention Programs Pornography Sex Offender Treatment Sex Offenders Social Media |
Author: Hackett, Simon Title: Young people who engage in child sexual exploitation behaviours: An exploratory study Summary: Despite increasing awareness of child sexual exploitation (CSE) across the UK in recent years, there remain gaps in current knowledge and understanding - including in relation to young people who perpetrate acts of CSE. In contrast to the wider research base for harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) in childhood and adolescence, which has developed significantly in recent years, there is little in the literature specifically on the topic of young people who engage in sexually exploitative behaviours. This report describes one of three research projects commissioned by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse to build an evidence base about perpetrators of CSE. The project aimed to investigate: - the backgrounds of young people identifi ed for CSE concerns as perpetrators - the nature and range of their sexual behaviours - the range of victims targeted - other off ending behaviours displayed by the young people. Method Anonymised data was obtained from electronic records held by a police-led, multiagency initiative which focuses on CSE and on missing children. Consisting of 14 cases, the data are a convenience and non-probability sample which represent a significant minority of the cases becoming known to this 'CSE team' over a 24- month period where an alleged perpetrator was under the age of 18 at the point of their harmful or exploitative sexual behaviours. This study therefore drew only on existing secondary data already available to the CSE team; it was beyond the study's scope to conduct interviews with professionals involved in the cases, or with the young people and their families directly. The electronic records contained considerable and detailed information compiled by a wide range of agencies over a substantial period of time. Key fi ndings Because of the small sample size and the reliance on official case records which may be partial and limited, the following findings should be regarded as at best indicative. - All young people in the sample were male and white British. - Their current age ranged between 14 and 21 years old, with the overwhelming majority aged over 16; this is an older sample than many reported in the literature on HSB. Their age at the point when concerning sexual behaviours fi rst emerged ranged from 7 to 18 years old; in contrast to other demographic studies of young people with HSB, which have indicated substantial early-onset trajectories, only one case indicated a pattern of pre-adolescent sexual behaviour problems. - Experiences of adversity were found in the developmental histories of 10 of the 14 young people. The most commonly reported factor was domestic violence, followed by physical and sexual abuse and neglect. Previous studies of young people with HSB have reported higher rates of previous victimisation. - Twelve of the young people had longstanding non-sexual off ending histories: theft, burglary, criminal damage and general antisocial behaviours were extensive and pervasive. All the young people appear to fi t the 'generalist' category of HSB off ender, whose sexual off ending appears to be more directed towards peers as part of a broader catalogue of deviance and non-sexual off ending trajectories. - A model proposed by Ward and Siegert (2002) describes fi ve primary developmental pathways leading into sexually abusive behaviours. Many of the young people in the sample appear to fi t into the antisocial thinking pathway, where an underlying propensity towards general deviance and antisocial behaviour becomes sexualised during puberty. - In all cases, the concerns about young people's sexual behaviours related to a young person off ending alone or to pairs of young people whose behaviours appeared interlinked and inter-infl uenced. There were no 'gang-related' or larger group incidents of HSB or CSE. - Whilst all 14 young people had targeted female victims, only one was known to have sexually off ended against a male (in addition to multiple female victims). HSB towards teenage peers was preceded in only three cases by sexual abuse of prepubescent children. Previous research into young people's HSB has identifi ed signifi cant proportions of male victims and victims aged 10 or below. - The young people were typically involved in multiple and in some cases escalating harmful sexual behaviours: nine engaged in exploitative or harmful sexual behaviours online or using social media, accompanied in most cases by contact sexual exploitation or sexual abuse. There was not strong evidence of a clear progression from online to offl ine HSB: it was just as likely for offl ine HSB to precede online behaviours. Implications and recommendations The impression gained from this pilot study is of young people who engage in CSE behaviours as a generally very deviant group whose sexual and non-sexual behaviours are disinhibited, chaotic and non-boundaried. The small scale of this study, and the use of data from one team with a particular focus and operating model, limits the conclusions that can be drawn; nevertheless, the study's tentative findings should be investigated in more detail. In some of the cases examined, it was possible to see a progression from sexual assaults or sexually abusive behaviour without overt elements of exchange towards more 'CSEtype' behaviours over time. It may be that CSE-type behaviours in adolescence, much more so than more general HSB, are more strongly related to general deviance than a history of sexual victimisation; if so, this has significant implications for both intervention approaches and prevention activities. However, it was difficult to separate the young people's behaviours meaningfully and neatly into categories of CSE and HSB. Whilst all cases fitted widely used definitions of HSB, the extent to which they are accompanied by overt elements of exchange (as would fit the definition of CSE) was much less clear in many cases. The sexual behaviours of all the young people in the sample required disruption, management and intervention - but it is unclear whether that should be undertaken by a CSE team or an HSB team. This perhaps reflects the present inadequacy of using distinct sets of language and concepts (CSE and HSB) and service frameworks to respond to the problem of transgressive sexual behaviour in adolescence. Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 24p. Source: Internet Resource: Child sexual exploitation perpetrators research programme, report 1: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%201%20-%20Young%20people%20who%20engage%20in%20CSE%20behaviours.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/csa-centre-prod/assets/File/CSE%20perpetrators%201%20-%20Young%20people%20who%20engage%20in%20CSE%20behaviours.pdf Shelf Number: 149211 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sex OffendersChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesIntervention ProgramsSex Offender TreatmentSex Offenders |
Author: Radford, Lorraine Title: A review of international survey methodology on child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation Summary: This review was commissioned by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse to inform its work on improving data currently collected in England and Wales. Unlike previous reviews which have looked at findings on prevalence rates within and across different countries, this study looked at differences in self-report survey methodologies to research rates of victimisation and perpetration. The aims of the review were to: - identify methodologically different surveys undertaken in countries outside England and Wales that specifically focus on, or include, child sexual abuse (CSA) - identify questions used in surveys to assess the scale and nature of CSA - including any questions regarding child sexual exploitation (CSE), and those exploring abuse or grooming that takes place online - and comment on their relative effectiveness - explore the survey methods used, and identify what worked well in achieving a good response rate - explore the sampling strategies used, including any use of booster samples to reach underrepresented or identified vulnerable groups - identify questions, survey methods and sampling strategies used to explore potential and actual perpetration of CSA - discuss what identified good practice would be replicable in the UK context, and to what extent this would allow comparisons to be made across countries. Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 66p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/a-review-of-international-survey-methodology-on-child-sexual-abuse-and-child-sexual-exploitation/ Year: 2018 Country: International URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/a-review-of-international-survey-methodology-on-child-sexual-abuse-and-child-sexual-exploitation/ Shelf Number: 149212 Keywords: Child Grooming Child Pornography Child Sex OffendersChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet Crimes Sex Offender Treatment Sex Offenders |
Author: Kaur, Kam Title: Local commissioning of services addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation in England Summary: On behalf of the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, Cordis Bright undertook an independent review in spring 2017 of how child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSA/CSE) services were commissioned in five local areas in England. The review sought to clarify local approaches developed through local authorities, health and wellbeing boards, Offices of the Police and Crime Commissioners (OPCCs), NHS England and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs). It aimed to identify challenges, weaknesses and strengths in current local commissioning which might be of broader interest. Commissioners' views were also sought on the support they were looking for, including how the Centre of expertise might help. Following a review of the literature, Cordis Bright conducted interviews with 30 commissioners, commissioning partners, service providers and local practitioner experts across the five local areas. In view of the link with CSA/CSE, harmful sexual behaviour (HSB) was included in the review as it progressed. Limitations The review was a rapid research exercise informed by evidence from five sites. Whilst these sites provide a degree of diversity, the findings will not fully reflect experiences in all locations in England, and do not incorporate experiences in Wales. The findings reflect a point in time (spring 2017) and should be considered with reference to emerging developments which may influence change, such as the impending release by the NHS of its strategy on sexual abuse. The review focused on local commissioning and does not provide direct insight into centralised commissioning processes. However, some of its findings may be useful to decision-makers in that context. Findings The findings, drawn from the interviews, are summarised thematically here. A key caveat to the findings is the fact that the fieldwork was limited to five local authority areas in England. A theme underpinning many of the findings, and reported in all five areas, is the impact of the current economic climate on local service provision. Stakeholders reported that local commissioners' budgets are diminishing, as is the independently generated income of voluntary and community sector (VCS) service providers. Commissioning challenges Local commissioners were said to face a number of common challenges: - The high profile accorded to CSE by central government has been beneficial, but has not yet been extended to CSA and HSB. - Whilst CSE service commissioning practice appear well-developed, CSA and HSB services are not commissioned (or delivered in-house) with the same transparency and robustness. - The use of short-term contracts (usually lasting three years) limits VCS partnership/investment opportunities. - Good commissioning partnerships (with other commissioners or the VCS) will require a significant amount of investment to develop and maintain. - Cuts to commissioning teams limit the scope and quality of commissioning activity. - There needs to be more detail on CSA/CSE and HSB, including online elements of abuse, in local population needs assessments. - Health bodies and schools are not always seen by others as engaged as full partners in the commissioning of local CSA/CSE and HSB services. - There is no quality assurance framework to ensure that schools have appropriate safeguarding care pathways or commissioned CSA/CSE/HSB response services. - There is no consensus on good outcomes measurement - in particular focusing on 'distance travelled' for an individual (emotional wellbeing, improvement in relationship with family and friends, access to positive alternative activities and engagement in learning) - for CSA/CSE and HSB services. Stakeholders wanted: - CSA and HSB to be included in CSE commissioning governance, reported as usually being overseen by the Director of Children's Services and a local safeguarding children board (LSCB) subgroup - mental health trusts to have in place governance and partnership arrangements focusing on CSA/ CSE recovery - more focus from the OPCCs on children and young people, including funding for the vital role of sexual assault referral centres (SARCs) - all areas to have an explicit, integrated CSA, CSE and HSB strategy - national CSA/CSE and HSB commissioning guidance which minimises contract-monitoring activity. Gaps in commissioned services Local areas expressed concerns including the following: - There has been a significant reduction in prevention services for CSE and HSB. More investment is required from schools, public health budgets and CCGs. - There has not been any CSA prevention work. - There has been a significant reduction in school nursing services. Nurses have been a key contact for identification/disclosure of CSA/CSE. - Responding to online abuse needs to be included in local CSA/CSE and HSB services. - The regionalisation of the SARCs may be supported on medical grounds, but has increased travel time for children and young people. Additionally, more follow-up counselling support sessions funded through SARCs are needed. - There is a significant shortfall in follow-up or recovery services for children who have experienced CSA/CSE and/or HSB. Where budgets are not protected for existing services, the services risk losing the flexibility needed for victims to disclose and recover. - Transition from children's to adults' services is difficult for survivors of CSA and CSE. - The volume of HSB is growing, but services are reducing. Details: Ilford, Esssex, UK: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2018. 56p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 22, 2018 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/ Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-england/local-commissioning-of-services-addressing-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-in-en Shelf Number: 149216 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesIntervention ProgramsSex Offender TreatmentSex OffendersSexual Assault |
Author: Wager, Nadia Title: Rapid Evidence Assessment Quantifying The Extent Of Online-Facilitated Child Sexual Abuse Summary: This rapid evidence assessment (REA) examines what is known about the scale of online-facilitated child sexual abuse (CSA). It was commissioned by the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), which is investigating whether public bodies and other non-state institutions have taken seriously their duties to care for and protect children and young people from child sexual abuse and exploitation. This research informs IICSA's investigation into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and exploitation facilitated by the internet (referred to as the internet investigation). The specific objectives were: to identify and appraise the measures currently available in England and Wales, and internationally, that could contribute to quantifying the scale of online CSA to consider what each of these measures say about the scale of online CSA to identify and appraise the range of data sources that are available for quantifying the scale of online CSA to identify gaps in the existing literature. 3 A rapid evidence assessment is a structured way of searching for, assessing the appropriateness of, and synthesising a large body of evidence in a very short time frame. It is less rigorous than a full systematic review and therefore does not provide a fully comprehensive summary of the evidence base. This should be borne in mind when considering the findings. Additional challenges taken into account during the review of the 99 articles and reports covered were dealing with the breadth of definitions used, and the constant changes in technology. Details: Huddersfield, UK: University of Huddersfield, Secure Societies Institute, 2018. 184p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/rapid-evidence-assessment-quantifying-extent-online-facilitated-child-sexual-abuse Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/rapid-evidence-assessment-quantifying-extent-online-facilitated-child-sexual-abuse Shelf Number: 149281 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Protection Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Internet Crimes Online Victimization Social Media |
Author: Nebraska. Office of Inspector General of Nebraska Child Welfare Title: Sexual Abuse of State Wards, Youths in Adoptive or Guardian Homes, & Youth in Residential Placement. Reported July 2013 - October 2016 Summary: Child sexual abuse remains a widespread problem in the United States. Recent estimates show that 1 in 10 children will be subject to sexual abuse involving sexual contact before the age of 18, either by an adult or another youth. Child sexual abuse is generally understood to include everything from child rape and molestation, sexual touching, and coercing or persuading a child to engage in any type of sexual act to exposure to pornography, voyeurism, and communicating in a sexual manner by phone or Internet. In an estimated 90 percent of cases, children are sexually abused by someone they know and trust. Between 2013 and 2016, there were 1,284 substantiated victims of child sexual abuse in Nebraska. While DHHS does not track how many of those victims were involved with the child welfare system, national research indicates that youth in this system are at higher risk of experiencing sexual abuse and exploitation than their peers in the general population. Exact numbers of child sexual abuse victims are difficult to calculate because many victims do not report sexual abuse or wait for long periods of time before disclosing. Available research indicates that false reporting of child sexual abuse is extremely rare - occurring in only 4 to 8 percent of cases. The impact of child sexual abuse can be lifelong - placing survivors at heightened risk for physical and mental health diagnoses, increasing the likelihood they will encounter academic problems and engage in risky behaviors, and even negatively impacting lifetime earnings. Findings and Recommendations of the OIG Investigation Through its investigation, the OIG identified cases of child sexual abuse of state wards, of youth in residential facilities, and of youth reaching permanency through the child welfare system. The OIG used these cases as a starting point in identifying systemic issues that hinder DHHS and the child welfare system's ability to appropriately prevent and respond to cases of child sexual abuse. Throughout the report, the OIG also makes recommendations to DHHS for system improvements, in addition to identifying action items for the child welfare system as a whole. Of the 18 recommendations made, DHHS has accepted 11. Recommendations and action items are detailed in each section of the report. The OIG has also added DHHS's response to each recommendation and action item. A full list can be found in Appendix A. Cases of Child Sexual Abuse The OIG identified 50 children who were victims of sexual abuse that had been substantiated by DHHS or the courts, or where the case was court pending. Substantiated cases are those where it has been determined sexual abuse occurred. Court pending sexual abuse cases are cases that have been investigated and enough evidence exists that sexual abuse occurred that a juvenile or criminal court action was filed. The outcome of such juvenile or criminal proceeding has not yet been determined. Twenty-seven victims were in state care at the time of their sexual abuse and 23 were sexually abused in an adoptive or guardian home in which the state had placed them. The 23 youth who were sexually abused in adoptive or guardian homes were no longer involved in the child welfare system when the abuse was reported, although for some the sexual abuse they experienced began before permanency was achieved. All of the sexual abuse allegations were reported to DHHS between July 2013 and October 2016. The OIG also identified, reviewed, and analyzed some sexual abuse allegations of children in state care that were listed as unfounded or were never investigated. Under Nebraska law, all reports of child abuse or neglect not classified as court substantiated, court pending, or agency substantiated are to be considered unfounded. Although these allegations were not substantiated, at times correctly, the cases nonetheless illustrated concerns about how the child welfare system was functioning. Seven of these cases are highlighted in the report. The OIG reviewed and gathered information on each case of sexual abuse to identify trends and systemic issues. Each case is summarized in the report. Details: Lincoln, NE: Inspector General's Office, 2017. 82p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed February 28, 2018 at: http://oig.legislature.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/OIG-Summary-Report-Child-Sexual-Abuse-1.pdf Year: 2017 Country: United States URL: http://oig.legislature.ne.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/OIG-Summary-Report-Child-Sexual-Abuse-1.pdf Shelf Number: 149291 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild WelfareInstitutional Abuse |
Author: Davidson, Julia Title: Enhancing Police and Industry Practice: EU Child Online Safety Project Summary: This report draws together the findings from the European Child Online Safety Project which was funded by the European Commission ISEC fund. The project was led by Professor Julia Davidson Middlesex University, UK with partners from University of Tilburg, Netherlands; University of Kore, Enna, Italy; Cyberpsychology Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons; and the Geary Institute, University College Dublin, Ireland; and FDE Institute of Criminology, Mantova, Italy. The project sought to draw together the evidence base on online offender and victim behaviour including: - online grooming; - possession, collection and distribution of indecent child images; - Identification of policing and industry best practice in prevention. The project also sought to promote cooperation between law enforcement and industry in developing and disseminating good practice models in the area of online CSA. Through collaboration, this will ultimately assist practitioners and professionals: - To develop effective prevention techniques; - In early detection and deterrence; - With the provision of valid and recent research. The project had three primary and interdependent objectives: 1. Link project specific risk characteristics with other risk factors for grooming, like risk-taking and sexual orientation concerns; 2. Creation of victim typologies of cyber-grooming to assist with identification of vulnerable individuals and groups; 3. Development of 'Best Practice' guidelines for industry and law enforcement in the identification and prevention of online childhood sexual abuse. Details: 168p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 8, 2018 at: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/250163/ISEC-report-FINAL.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Europe URL: https://www.mdx.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0017/250163/ISEC-report-FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 149405 Keywords: Child GroomingChild PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Interpol Title: Towards a Global Indicator on Unidentified Victims in Child Sexual Exploitation Material: Technical Report Summary: This report presents the results of a two-part analysis of the multi-country data set contained in the International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) Database housed at INTERPOL and of consultations with law enforcement personnel in relation to the identification of victims and offenders pictured in Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) and Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) seized by law enforcement around the world. It forms one component of a larger programme of the ICSE Database enhancement activities financed by the European Union and carried out between 2016 and 2018 under the title International Child Sexual Exploitation (ICSE) database Connectivity and Awareness Raising Enhancements (I-CARE) Project. A ground-breaking cooperation between INTERPOL and ECPAT International, the study is broader in country coverage and possibly in other dimensions than any other previously analysed and publicly reported on. It responds to widespread recognition of the scarcity of reliable data and research on CSAM and CSEM to inform evidence-based policy and programmes to tackle the issue and protect children from online sexual exploitation and abuse across the world. It highlights the urgent need to develop representative international baselines of empirical data on the victimisation of children depicted in CSAM and CSEM, and to enhance the response by law enforcement agencies around the world to this problem. The analysis has been subject to a number of legal, institutional and ethical conditions, which have been duly and carefully considered, and which have been addressed in the exercise. Taken together, a comprehensive perspective on the overall database contents, and a mix of quantitative and qualitative findings from a selected sample of observations, has produced a broad range of findings, whose statistical validity has been confirmed by an expert reviewer. The study provides insight based on visual analysis of images and videos into the profile of unidentified child victims and their abusers, including age, gender, and type and severity of abuse, and further presents the results of analysis of case-related metadata for cases recorded as both identified and unidentified in the ICSE Database. It highlights the multi-faceted challenges presented to the law enforcement and child protection community by rapid evolutions in the means available for online child exploitation and abuse as a distinct subset of child sexual abuse and exploitation, and the increasingly complex role played by youth-produced sexual content in this landscape. Through analysis of confirmed and suspected locations of abuse as recorded in the ICSE Database, the study also considers the relationship between resource allocation for victim identification and rates of identification worldwide. The study acknowledges that there are qualitative limitations inherent in the multi-country and multi-user data set of the ICSE Database, but also highlights the unique nature of the data set resulting from this diverse user base. This in turn underlines the distinctive position and potential of the ICSE Database for further technological evolutions, country connections, and as a tool in victim identification efforts, and reinforces the usefulness the ICSE Database for further research and as focal point for future efforts to build a global indicator. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2018. 104p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Technical-Report-TOWARDS-A-GLOBAL-INDICATOR-ON-UNIDENTIFIED-VICTIMS-IN-CHILD-SEXUAL-EXPLOITATION-MATERIAL.pdf Year: 2018 Country: International URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Technical-Report-TOWARDS-A-GLOBAL-INDICATOR-ON-UNIDENTIFIED-VICTIMS-IN-CHILD-SEXUAL-EXPLOITATION-MATERIAL.pdf Shelf Number: 149496 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationComputer CrimesInternet CrimesOnline VictimizationSex Trafficking |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview: The Sexual Exploitation of Children in Southeast Asia Summary: Southeast Asia has a booming economy and is undergoing impressive growth in a number of sectors. For example, the region has one of the world's fastest growing internet markets, currently with 260 million users and a projected 480 million users by 2020. Mobile connections account for 130% of the population. The continued growth of international arrivals in the region is largely due to increasing numbers of intra-regional and inter-regional tourists and travelers. According to data of the UNWTO, Thailand recorded the world's highest growth in international tourist receipts in 2016. Such developments should result in positive changes in the lives of children - and indeed, significant progress has been made on a number of child rights indicators in the region. Nevertheless there is a dark and disturbing downside to this growth. The proliferation of the internet and related communication technologies has significantly expanded opportunities for child sex offenders to plan their travel, to communicate anonymously with other child sex offenders, to access, produce and disseminate child sex abuse images, and to engage in online sexual encounters with children without them even having to leave their homes. As technology evolves, forms and modus operandi of exploitation also evolve. The rapid growth in travel and tourism increases the number of children vulnerable to sexual exploitation. In the pursuit of economic development, a number of Southeast Asian countries have allowed large-scale foreign investment in tourism and other sectors and the proliferation of Special Economic and Free Trade Zones. These positive economic developments often are accompanied by the building of casinos and entertainment venues including bars and brothels, which can be high-risk locales for children. This report highlights both the domestic and international dimension of the sexual exploitation of children. The vast majority of child sex offenders in Southeast Asia are nationals of the countries of the region, the victims primarily girls. Yet emerging evidence also suggests that a considerable numbers of boys are abused and that foreign child sex offenders are increasingly accessing children through voluntary or professional positions in schools, orphanages, and child care centres Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2017. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Regional-Overview_Southeast-Asia.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Regional-Overview_Southeast-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 149499 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimeOnline VictimizationSex TourismSex Trafficking |
Author: ECPAT International Title: Regional Overview: Combating The Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia: Evolving Trends, Existing Responses and Future Priorities Summary: This report offers an overview of the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including in its commercial forms (CSEC), as it emerges in the eight countries that form South Asia - Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka - and are members of SAARC, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. A special focus is placed on three manifestations characterising the regional context, namely, online child sexual exploitation (OCSE), SEC in travel and tourism (SECTT) and SEC in child, early and forced marriage (CEFM). Research studies and regular data generation on issues relating to child sexual abuse and exploitation are scanty in the region because of the cultural sensitivity around the problem and lack of regular programme monitoring systems. This study seeks to offer an overview of the situation of children at risk or victims of SEC on the basis of existing evidence by - Exploring emerging socio-economic drivers compounding the problem; - Analysing the main manifestations of SEC in the specific regional context; - Reviewing the policy and legal responses that enable or, to the contrary, hinder child protection and safety, further calling attention to persisting gaps; and - Finally proposing a set of actions necessary to move forward in the fight against sexual violence against children in South Asia. In 2014, ECPAT had produced a similar document titled The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in South Asia. Developments, Progress, Challenges and Recommended Strategies for Civil Society. The present situation analysis not only provides an update of the earlier study, but also a new perspective on the problem. It investigates the various issues relating to SEC from the point of view of a society taking a new development path and undergoing a phase of fast and profound transformation. The point of observation is that of a complex change encompassing substantial economic growth, rapid urbanisation and migration. Increased wealth and mobility, together with the fast penetration of information and communication technologies, are offering unprecedented opportunities to the young generations of South Asians and opening new windows on the rest of the world. The same transformations, however, also expose young people to the risks typically associated with modern living, lifestyles and worldviews. Section 1 of the report, the Introduction, seeks to sketch the backdrop against which SEC is occurring in South Asia as the new does not necessarily replace the old, but rather leads to a stratification of pre-existing and recent manifestations of sexual abuse, exploitation and violence. South Asia is a land of contrasts. As the region is poised to become, with the rest of Asia, the largest global market of the future, a sizeable portion of its population still lives in subsistence economies and traditional communities. The region ranks at the very top globally in a number of significant areas. Economically, South Asia is the fastest growing region worldwide; socially, it is leading the urbanisation of the planet (with the rest of Asia and Africa); and technologically, India alone is one of the three markets with the highest numbers of mobile accounts among young people in the South of the world. However, despite such impressive progress, globally the region still accounts for the largest concentration of people living in absolute poverty; displays some of the worst human development outcomes in areas such as healthcare, schooling and per capita expenditure or income; hosts the majority of modern slaves trapped in forced prostitution, forced marriage, forced labour and organ trafficking; is home to the largest number of child brides and child labourers; is responsible for the bulk of the out-of-school children (together with West Asia and sub-Saharan Africa); and, jointly with Sub-Saharan Africa, accounts for over three quarters of child deaths caused by climate change in recent decades. If history is any guide, the constantly growing size and speed of human and financial flows in the absence of adequate protection policies for vulnerable populations may lead to a hike in sexual violence against children in the future. Research activities in the realm of SEC will need to increasingly focus on such influential trends to analyse how systemic change may impact the safety and protection of children by transforming the root causes of child abuse. Within this backdrop, Section 2 analytically reviews several manifestations of SEC as these emerge in a number of settings such as - Information and communication technologies, whose penetration in South Asia has been growing at a substantially faster pace than other kinds of infrastructure and services necessary for human development, while also, in parallel, rapidly multiplying risks relating primarily to the creation and trade of child sexual abuse material by perpetrators displaying a sexual interest in children, and to sexual harassment and extortion of children online by perpetrators generally known to the victims; - Travel and tourism, in the context of rising trends in international tourist arrivals, matched with a steady increase in domestic travellers who can now reach out to children in novel settings such as homestays or childcare institutions; - Child, early and forced marriage (CEFM), which local cultures may view as a form of protection from sexual harassment for adolescent girls rather than as a condition that can expose girls and women to life-long systematic sexual violence; - Child trafficking still persisting in South Asian countries, despite efforts in this area having been more systematised and institutionalised than in others over time; - Sexual exploitation of children (SEC), continuing in the context of the traditional sex trade and now evolving in technology-facilitated forms; - Child labour, often unrecognised as a vast reservoir for sexual exploitation, but in fact being a major channel to SEC, especially in certain occupations, such as domestic labour, widespread across South Asia; and - Humanitarian crises, conflicts and environmental disasters, which dramatically exacerbate the pre-existing vulnerabilities of children and weaken the capacity of poor communities to protect their families. Section 3 reviews existing legal, policy and programme responses being implemented at local, national and regional levels to address SEC in the areas highlighted in the previous section, while also seeking to identify major gaps and challenges. All South Asian countries have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (OPSC), in addition to other important regional instruments (such as the SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combatting Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution, and the SAARC Convention on Regional Arrangements for the Promotion of Child Welfare in South Asia). However, the Palermo Protocol on Trafficking in Persons has been fully ratified by only Afghanistan, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka, while none of the SAARC countries has so far developed national legislation harmonised with the OPSC, specific laws addressing issues such as SECTT or OCSE, or substantive extraterritorial jurisdiction. Progressive policies have been designed in the areas of protection of children from sexual offences, trafficking, child labour and early marriage by most countries in the region, while initial attempts have been made to respond to online threats, mainly by setting up webbased portals aimed at spreading information on child trafficking, tracking down trafficked and missing children, and supporting confidential reporting. Lack of proper awareness, implementation and enforcement, however, emerges as the main challenge with regard to the implementation of policies and laws. In addition to efforts by governments, the growing South Asian private sector has also started contributing proactively, especially by adopting more stringent corporate social responsibility (CSR) guidelines. Its involvement in the realm of SEC, however, remains rather limited, especially with reference to the ICT and travel and tourism industries whose role in preventing harm by online and travelling child sex predators would be particularly relevant. Civil society organisations continue to play a key role in the fight against the various manifestations of SEC, although the scope of their interventions may be normally limited to the local level and not always receive adequate support or recognition by the government. Children's and young people's groups have become more active in combatting SEC, even though they need more opportunities to access sexuality education, enhance awareness about online and offline threats, and gain further agency. An important platform for coordination among the various partners involved is the South Asia Initiative to End Violence Against Children (SAIEVAC), a SAARC Apex body acting, since 2005, as an inter-governmental mechanism committed to promoting the rights and protection of children at the regional level. Especially relevant in the context of SEC has been the recent 4th SAIEVAC Ministerial Meeting, held from 9-11 May 2016 in New Delhi, which led to a joint commitment by SAARC Member States to frame a region-wide strategy with the aim of tackling the sexual of children, especially online, through trafficking, and in travel and tourism. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT, 2017. 168p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 16, 2018 at: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Year: 2017 Country: Asia URL: http://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Regional-Overview_South-Asia.pdf Shelf Number: 149500 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Prostitution Child ProtectionChild Sex TourismChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Computer Crimes Internet Crimes |
Author: Smahel, David, ed. Title: The meaning of online problematic situations for children: Results of qualitative cross-cultural investigation in nine European countries Summary: Young people are currently surrounded by digital technologies, and through these technologies they experience a variety of positive, but also negative, situations (Livingstone, Haddon, Gorzig, & Olafsson, 2011). The unique pan-European survey of EU Kids Online II (2009-11) offered insights into how often and what types of harm children experienced in the following online risks: cyberbullying, exposure to sexual materials, sexting (sexual communication), meeting online strangers, personal data problems, seeing dangerous websites, and excessive internet use. EU Kids Online II also studied how children cope with some of these risks, and the effectiveness of parental mediation strategies to reduce these risks. Although there are several pieces of research studying specific online risks from qualitative perspectives (i.e., Parris, Varjas, Meyers, & Cutts, 2012; Sleglova & Cerna, 2011; Vandebosch & van Cleemput, 2008), most of the current research on online problematic experiences is quantitative, and aimed at understanding the prevalence, definitions and measurement, and the associated psycho-social consequences. But as we know, perceptions of risk differ for children and researchers (Cohn, Macfarlane, Yanez, & Imai, 1995). What researchers describe as "risky" is sometimes perceived as normal and not negative among young people. Therefore, this report introduces research from the EU Kids Online III (2011-14) studies on risks and online problematic situations from children's perspectives. We ask what children perceive as problematic on the internet, and the meaning of online problematic situations according to children. To fulfil this goal, we proposed qualitative investigations, where we took a children-centred approach and asked what children perceived as problematic on the internet. Using this approach, children spontaneously reported many different online situations, from the harmful and unpleasant to the neutral, as well as positive experiences. For example, meeting an online stranger in offline settings was typically a risk from the researcher's perspective, but from the children's perspectives, it was mostly seen as an online opportunity. Children's experiences with meeting strangers varied from very pleasant to harmful feelings. We therefore decided to avoid the term "risks," where children experienced a broad scale of different situations, and instead used the term "online problematic situations" to describe any unpleasant, bothering, or harmful situations on the internet. We proposed the following definition of problematic online situations: "encompassing a broad range of possible online behaviours and experiences that, together or individually, result in a disruption of relationships, values, daily obligations, and or mental or physical well-being" (Mitchell, Sabina, Finkelhor, & Wells, 2009, p. 707). Such a definition of online problematic situations is broader than the previously used term of "online risk," which is defined as the probability of harm (Livingstone et al., 2011). In this report, both terms are used in different contexts. Research presented in this report is based on focus groups and interviews with 368 children from the following nine countries: Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Romania, Spain, and the United Kingdom (UK). Teams from the EU Kids Online network voluntarily joined this comparative research. Therefore, the selection of countries is not the selection of coordinators, but instead a group of voluntary, cooperating research teams with one coordinator (David Smahel). As explained in Chapter 3: Methodology, we involved children from many different social and cultural backgrounds, and recorded a large variability of different perspectives and meanings of online situations. Nevertheless, this report intentionally does not include a special section on cultural comparisons across countries, because producing a systematic analysis of cultural factors remains difficult in qualitative research with relatively small samples. Despite this consideration, across this report possible observations about country differences have been made, including ones that draw on a background knowledge of specific countries. The emphasis of this report was on pooling the data from the countries in order to describe the range of online problematic situations, and coping and awareness of them, along with various mediational strategies. We believe that this pooled sample has generated enough material to provide a relatively comprehensive picture of the meaning and experience of online problematic situations for children in Europe. Research questions To understand children's meanings of online problematic situations and risks, we proposed the following research questions, which we answer in the chapters that follow in this report: - What do children perceive as being potentially negative or problematic when using the internet? - What online problematic situations and risks are children aware of? - What are the consequences of online negative experiences? - How do/would they react to it (including emotional reaction, behavioural reaction, opinion change etc.)? - What do/would children do to avoid or prevent these online problematic experiences? - What is the context for children's perceptions of certain situations as negative? - In which circumstances are certain situations perceived as negative? In which circumstances are other situations perceived as neutral or even positive? - What coping strategies work best from children's perspectives? - How do children evaluate situations that adults consider problematic? - How are children's negative experiences mediated? Details: London: EU Kids Online, London School of Economics and Political Science, 2014. 171p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2018 at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/56972/1/EU_Kids_Online_Report_Online_Problematic_Situations_for_Children_June2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: Europe URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/56972/1/EU_Kids_Online_Report_Online_Problematic_Situations_for_Children_June2014.pdf Shelf Number: 149543 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseOnline VictimizationProsecutionSex OffendersSextingSocial Media |
Author: Haddon, Leslie Title: The meaning of online problematic situations for children: The UK report Summary: The present report looks specifically at the experiences of the UK children who took part in that wider European project. Interviews and focus groups were used to collect children's data. The interview schedule for the research was tested in all participating countries. In the UK pilot interviews were conducted in January 2013 with primary and secondary school boys (aged 9-10 and 11-13 respectively). The European pilots indicated that the interview schedule was generally sound although some alterations were made to it in the light of the pilot feedback. In the UK the main interviews took place between March and September 2013 in four schools - two primary and two secondary. This consisted of interviews with two boys and two girls from each age group (9‐10, 11‐13, 14‐16), and one boys' and one girls' focus group from each of the three age bands, each group consisting of five people. There was one extra interview with a boy aged 9‐10. This made a total of 13 interviews and six focus groups - 43 children aged 9-16 years old altogether. The interviews, conducted by the authors, were fully transcribed and analysed for the present report. Since the UK research was part of a wider European project it followed the same procedures as in the other participating countries. Each point discussed in the interview was summarised in a comment box, and all the comments from the interview were imported into an Excel file. Here they received a secondary level of coding so that for each point made by a child it was clear whether and what ICTs were involved, whether and what risks were involved, who was being discussed, whether the theme was about activities, communication, mediation of some kind, etc. The coding meant that it was possible to search the Excel sheets by various criteria, whether looking into specific risks, preventative measures, coping strategies or parental mediation Parallel to this, main points for translation that related to previous project‐wide discussions of the whole area were marked and collated. In the other countries these observations by children were translated into English to make them accessible to all the other researchers when collectively writing the pan‐European report. In the UK, they were simply collated in the original English. When conducting the analysis, these points for translation often became the basis for the main quotations in this report, either because they summarised certain issues (more succinctly than some of the other children), captured ambivalences or demonstrated a theme well. The points for translation were used in conjunction with searches of the Excel sheet. The latter aimed to capture overall tendencies within the sample, the range of experiences and diverse examples of the same theme. When children are cited but not directly quoted, the material often comes from this second strand of analysis involving an overview of the interview material on any particular topic. The whole procedure had the effect that some children are quoted more, often reflecting the fact that they are either more articulate, more reflective or have more of certain kinds of experience. However, the overall content and conclusions of this report fully reflect the range and diversity of opinions and experiences expressed by all children interviewed in the project. Details: London: EU Kids Online, London School of Economics and Political Science, 2014. 41p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed march 23, 2018 at: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/60514/1/__lse.ac.uk_storage_LIBRARY_Secondary_libfile_shared_repository_Content_EU%20Kids%20Online_EU%20Kids%20Online_Meaning%20of%20online%20problematic%20situations-UK%20report_2014.pdf Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/60514/1/__lse.ac.uk_storage_LIBRARY_Secondary_libfile_shared_repository_Content_EU%20Kids%20Online_EU%20Kids%20Online_Meaning%20of%20online%20problematic%20situations-UK%20report_2014.pdf Shelf Number: 149545 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Online Victimization Prosecution Sex Offenders SextingSocial Media |
Author: Bovarnick, Silvie Title: Child Sexual Exploitation Prevention Education: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: With their ability to reach the largest number of children and young people, schools have the potential to play an invaluable role in preventative education (Beckett et al 2013; The Education and Training Inspectorate 2014). However, while UK safeguarding policies recognise the unique position of schools and other educational settings in delivering prevention programmes to a 'captive audience' (OUSTED 2012; The Education and Training Inspectorate 2014), relatively little is known about what makes such work effective (Topping and Barron 2009). This briefing is based on a rapid assessment of the available evidence relevant to CSE prevention education. It brings together key messages from research and evaluation about what works to prevent sexual exploitation and promote healthy relationships. As specific evidence is limited, it also incorporates some messages from other kinds of prevention work in educational settings. It explores what successful interventions might look like, how they should be delivered, and what impact such interventions might be expected to achieve. KEY MESSAGES: - A whole school approach, integrating CSE prevention across the curriculum, is shown to be an effective model for school-based prevention. Schools should adopt a 'zero-tolerance' culture and respond appropriately to peer on peer sexual harassment in schools. - Longer-term, more intensive interventions achieve higher impact. Although there is no consistent message about the ideal duration, weekly hour-long sessions over several months e.g. as part of PSHE education, promises better and more sustainable outcomes than one-off sessions. - Young people's participation in the development/delivery of interventions adds authenticity, credibility and acceptability, which are key factors for impact. - Interventions should be based on an assessment of need and be tailored to the specific audience and local context, in which they are delivered. They should include a range of different activities that engage young people and cater for different learning styles. - High risk children and young people need additional resources and targeted support; links between particular vulnerabilities and CSE need to be recognised and incorporated into targeted responses. Clear referral and support pathways are required for high risk children and young people. - Evaluations of school-based prevention programmes in related fields show mixed results. Even high intensity, well-designed programmes have shown little impact on young people's actual behaviour although they can build confidence, increase knowledge and change some attitudes that may legitimize harmful behaviours. Details: Ilford, UK: Barnardo's, 2014. 23p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2018 at: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cse_exploitation_education_rea.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/cse_exploitation_education_rea.pdf Shelf Number: 149546 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationEducational Programs |
Author: DeMarco, Jeffrey Title: Behaviour and Characteristics of Perpetrators of Online-facilitated Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Rapid Evidence Assessment Summary: - The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: The primary remit of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is to explore how public bodies and other non-state institutions in England and Wales have handled their duty of care in protecting children from sexual abuse. One of the investigations focuses on the institutional responses to child sexual abuse (CSA) and exploitation facilitated by the internet. This is referred to as the Internet Investigation. - ICT and CSA: Evidence suggests that all perpetrators of online-facilitated CSA have broadly been using information and communication technology (ICT) to commit child abuse since the late 1980s. - Research aims and objectives: IICSA commissioned this rapid evidence assessment as part of its investigation into the internet and CSA. Its aim was to answer the question: 'What is known about the behaviour and characteristics of people who sexually abuse or exploit children, where such abuse is facilitated by the internet?' Research aims and objectives - In responding to the primary research question listed above, the rapid evidence assessment considered how perpetrators use specific technologies to offend and how the availability of these technologies influences perpetrators' behaviour, how perpetrators identify and target potential victims across forums, and what the key safeguarding challenges are for institutions raised by changing technologies and associated perpetrator behaviour. - The rapid evidence assessment also sought to identify evidence regarding emerging types of offences, including self-generated material in sexual solicitation, exploitation and abuse of children, sexual extortion, and offences in which self-generated sexual material shared freely online by children is identified and circulated by perpetrators with an interest in child sexual exploitation material. - Lastly, the rapid evidence assessment also aimed to capture information pertaining to children who perpetrate online-facilitated sexual abuse against peers, relationships between different types of offending, and pathways into offending. - The rapid evidence assessment was conducted in four stages: pilot, evidence selecting, evidence screening and evidence synthesising. - The findings from the above points are presented to best synthesise the information in responding to each one while considering the primary research question. Details: London: NatCen Social Research, 2018. 85p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 23, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/rapid-evidence-assessment-behaviour-and-characteristics-perpetrators-online-facilitated Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/rapid-evidence-assessment-behaviour-and-characteristics-perpetrators-online-facilitated Shelf Number: 149552 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimeOnline VictimizationSex OffendersSexting |
Author: Dodsworth, Jane Title: An examination of the perspectives and experiences of police officers working with children and young people at risk of, or involved in, child sexual exploitation Summary: In April 2014 Norfolk and Suffolk Constabulary commissioned The Centre for Research on Children and Families (CRCF) in the School of Social Work at the University of East Anglia to undertake a research study to explore the perspectives and experiences of police officers working in Norfolk with young people involved in, or at risk of, involvement in sexual exploitation (CSE). The objective was to increase understanding of what works well, what works less well and to identify any gaps in policy, procedure or practice, in order to inform service provision Key Findings: What Works Well - Four areas stood out as particular strengths in police officers' work with children and young people involved in CSE. These included officers': - Sense of commitment to and passion for CSE work - Awareness of the vulnerability of young people involved in CSE, including awareness of the links between victimisation and offending - Recognition of three categories of young people involved in internet abuse; 'naive' victims 'wise' victims and 'naive' offenders. - Understanding that prevention and proactive early intervention is key Conclusion Although this study has shown that there are identifiable difficulties, pressures and tensions for police officers in Norfolk working in this complex area, what is clearly evident is the high level of commitment to safeguarding, listening to and understanding children and young people at risk of child sexual exploitation. Details: Norwich, UK: Centre for Research on Children and Families University of East Anglia, 2014. 52p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 4, 2018 at: http://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Police+Perspectives+Research+Nov+14.pdf/2f6eafec-9093-44bb-938c-c46c3d88cf32 Year: 2014 Country: United Kingdom URL: http://www.uea.ac.uk/documents/3437903/4264977/Police+Perspectives+Research+Nov+14.pdf/2f6eafec-9093-44bb-938c-c46c3d88cf32 Shelf Number: 149666 Keywords: At-Risk YouthChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationOnline victimizationPolice Officers |
Author: Allnock, Debbie Title: What Do We Know About Child Sexual Abuse and Policing in England and Wales? Summary: 1.1 The purpose of this briefing is to provide the National Policing Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation with evidence for consideration in the development of a National Policing Safeguarding Action plan. The methodology can be found in an associated document. This briefing distils key messages from research evidence on policing and child protection in the United Kingdom (UK). 1.2Evidence on policing and child protection/ safeguarding in the UK primarily relates to child sexual abuse (CSA), including child sexual exploitation (CSE), although the evidence base is relatively limited. The review identified no significant UK evaluations of police response in tackling child abuse more broadly, or CSA or neglect specifically. The most substantial area of evidence relates to police forensic interviews in cases of CSA. There are a number of small and discrete research studies that have been carried out in relation to particular child protection issues within the criminal justice system (CJS). These have highlighted promising practice and areas for improvement in relation to some aspects of the process, such as attrition and the experiences of children and young people proceeding through 'the system'. Historically, the research on forensic interviews focussed on the aim of obtaining the best evidence for court but there has been a more recent focus on safeguarding and children's well-being during the process. Experts hypothesize that these two issues are inseparable however; improving children and young people's experiences and addressing their well-being can be also seen as a means of improving attrition rates and gathering better quality evidence. 1.3This briefing is structured to reflect the journey through the CJS with additional messages from research on police preparation and planning. In order to limit the briefing to police-relevant information, findings on the court process have been omitted except where they are relevant for policing. The areas covered align in various ways to the four Ps of policing - a framework for responding to serious and organised crime: 1) Prepare: reduce the impact of this criminality where it takes place 2) Protect: increase protection against serious and organised crime 3) Prevent: prevent people from engaging in serious and organised crime 4) Pursue: prosecute and disrupt people engaged in serious and organised crime. Details: Bedfordshire, UK: University of Bedfordshire, Institute of Applied Social Research, 2015. 28p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 9, 2018 at: https://www.uobcsepolicinghub.org.uk/assets/documents/CSA-and-policing-briefing-FINAL.pdf-DA.pdf Year: 2015 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.uobcsepolicinghub.org.uk/assets/documents/CSA-and-policing-briefing-FINAL.pdf-DA.pdf Shelf Number: 149734 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseOrganized CrimePolice Effectiveness |
Author: Miles, Glen Title: Stop Violence Against Us! A preliminary national research study into the prevalence & perceptions of Cambodian children to violence against children in Cambodia Summary: Violence against children is perhaps the greatest of the evils that mankind can commit. Children offer the world hope. Our investment in their lives produces long-term fruit that can break cycles of violence and poverty. This study reveals the sad reality that children in Cambodia have come to accept unacceptable levels of violence in their families and schools. The children's own voices paint a terrible picture of acquiescence to adult violence. They face a daily reality where physical punishment and sexual violence is the norm and to be expected. Without serious attention being paid to this situation, today's children can become the violent offenders of tomorrow. Cultural practices that violate a child's right to safety and protection from abuse are difficult to address. This study clearly shows the validity of listening to children's views. In Khmer culture, children do not commonly speak out. They play an important but silent role in the family and community. But their silence does not condone the violence that they experience and witness. The children show not only remarkable resilience in coping with such abuse, but contribute practical suggestions as to how to deal with it. Their ideas should be given due weight and respect. Tearfund is committed to listening to children and enabling them to play a meaningful role in our development work. Children are not only the ones who know the most about their lives, but also are the building blocks for sustainable, just and equitable development in their communities and society. This research is part of our commitment to ensuring a child's right to participate, as well as recognising that families, communities and governments play a vital role in protecting and nurturing children. The research reveals that Cambodian children still have faith in adults to address the violence that is perpetrated against them. That faith can be fulfilled if their concerns are taken up by all of us who work to improve children's well being. Should we fail in this call, nations such as Cambodia will continually struggle to build a strong civil society where violence is a mere historical footnote. Details: Phnom Penh: Tearfund - Children at Risk Office, 2005. 94p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 20, 2018 at: http://tagv.mohw.gov.tw/TAGVResources/upload/Resources/2014/10/Stop%20Violence%20against%20Us!%20Summary%20Report%201.pdf Year: 2005 Country: Cambodia URL: http://tagv.mohw.gov.tw/TAGVResources/upload/Resources/2014/10/Stop%20Violence%20against%20Us!%20Summary%20Report%201.pdf Shelf Number: 117345 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild Sexual AbuseChildren and ViolenceDomestic ViolenceFamily Violence |
Author: Parkinson, Samantha Title: Child Abuse in Institutional Contexts: The reliability of police data, nature of allegations reported to police, and factors driving reporting rates, Summary: In 2014, the Australian Centre for Child Protection (University of South Australia), Social Policy Research Centre (University of NSW) and the Australian Institute of Criminology completed the research project Child sexual abuse in Australian institutional contexts: Findings from administrative data 2008-13 (hereby referred to as the 'administrative data report'; Bromfield, Hirte, Octoman & Katz, 2017). The report used administrative data to estimate the incidence of child sexual abuse (CSA) in institutional and other contexts, focusing on 'recent allegations' reported to police between 2008 and 2013 and that occurred within five years of reporting. Rates of CSA differed considerably, with NSW having a much higher rate than other jurisdictions. The administrative data report raised questions about data reliability and quality that required further exploration. For example, there was a considerable difference between the nature of contemporary institutional CSA and historical trends (Katz, Jones, Newton & Reimer, 2017). The nature of, and circumstances surrounding, allegations were not discernible from the administrative data. Therefore, other fields (proxy indicators) had to be used to differentiate between CSA in institutional contexts and CSA in other contexts. These fields included 'location of abuse' and 'relationship of victim to person of interest (POI)'. Accordingly, the administrative data report concluded: A follow-up study subjecting a small sample of allegations to a case file review, to determine additional details; address some of the questions pertaining to data quality; and provide greater certainty to the Royal Commission regarding the estimates provided in the [administrative data report] study. (Bromfield et al., 2017, p 215) The purpose of the current report was to determine: - the accuracy and reliability of the data and proxy indicators used to categorise reports as institutional child sexual abuse (ICSA) or non-institutional child sexual abuse (NICSA) in the administrative data report - the nature of, and circumstances surrounding, reports to police concerning ICSA compared to NICSA - the factors that drive different reporting rates for CSA in Australian jurisdictions. The project comprised three phases: 1. a literature review to ascertain what is already known about why the number of reported allegations of CSA may vary across Australian police jurisdictions 2. consultations (qualitative interviews) with data custodians and operational police across the eight Australian jurisdictions to determine if there are any differences in police recording practices and whether these could account for the variation across jurisdictions in rates of CSA reported to police; identify the information held by police that was most relevant for analysis in the project's final phase; and determine the feasibility of extracting this data from the jurisdictions 3. a case file review of a random sample of ICSA and NICSA reports to police in two large jurisdictions to establish: a. the accuracy and reliability of the dataset used in the administrative data report b. the nature of, and circumstances surrounding, reports to police concerning CSA in an institutional context compared with other contexts c. the factors that drive different reporting rates for CSA in Australian jurisdictions Details: Sydney: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2017. 97p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 11, 2018 at: http://search.ror.unisa.edu.au/record/UNISA_ALMA11151668220001831/media/digital/open/9916170511501831/12151668210001831/13151658470001831/pdf Year: 2017 Country: Australia URL: http://search.ror.unisa.edu.au/record/UNISA_ALMA11151668220001831/media/digital/open/9916170511501831/12151668210001831/13151658470001831/pdf Shelf Number: 149625 Keywords: Child Institutional AbuseChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbusePolice Practices and Policies |
Author: Jay, Alexis Title: Interim Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse Summary: The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ('the Inquiry') was established as an independent statutory inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 on 12 March 2015 by the then Home Secretary. The purpose and scope of the Inquiry are set out in its Terms of Reference,1 which state that it is: to consider the extent to which State and non-State institutions have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation; to consider the extent to which those failings have since been addressed; to identify further action needed to address any failings identified; to consider the steps which it is necessary for State and non-State institutions to take in order to protect children from such abuse in future; and to publish a report with recommendations. The Chair of the Inquiry is Professor Alexis Jay OBE and there are three Panel members: Professor Sir Malcolm Evans KCMG OBE, Ivor Frank and Drusilla Sharpling CBE. The Inquiry's Terms of Reference require it to publish an interim report by the end of 2018. The publication of this report fulfils that responsibility. This report sets out how the Inquiry has undertaken its work (Chapter 2) and describes the nature and effects of child sexual abuse (Chapter 3). It provides an update on the public hearings held by the Inquiry to date (Chapter 4) and on the Inquiry's work considering current responses to tackling child sexual abuse (Chapter 5). The report also considers what the Inquiry has learned so far in relation to four key strategic themes (Chapter 6) and concludes by setting out the Inquiry's work programme for the coming year (Chapter 8). Recommendations for change are made throughout this report - they are also listed in (Chapter 7) for ease of reference. Each recommendation is addressed to an institution. The Inquiry expects institutions to act upon its recommendations and - in the interest of transparency and openness - asks that each institution publishes details of the steps they will take in response to the recommendation, including the timetable involved. This should be done within six months of the publication of this report unless the recommendation says otherwise. Details: London: House of Commons, 2018. 109p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 25, 2018 at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/702667/HC_954-I_-_IICSA_Interim_Report_Web_Accessible.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/702667/HC_954-I_-_IICSA_Interim_Report_Web_Accessible.pdf Shelf Number: 149894 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProstitutionChild ProtectionChild RapeChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationChild TraffickingSex Offenders |
Author: WePROTECT Global Alliance Title: Global Threat Assessment 2018: Working together to end sexual exploitation of children online Summary: The Global Threat Assessment is the first of its type, both in terms of the broad stakeholder community that it draws from but also in its global vision to strengthen and further develop the international response to this growing and persistent threat. The report has been commissioned with the following aims: - raising international awareness of online child sexual exploitation (OCSE); - greater understanding of the threat and how it is evolving; - greater understanding of both the impact to victims and the wider societal impact of OCSE; - creating a baseline which can be used to monitor both the level of the threat and the positive impact that interventions are having on the offender population; - to provide evidence based examples to support members in making domestic and international decisions or investments. The WePROTECT Global Alliance to End Child Sexual Exploitation Online combines two major initiatives: the Global Alliance against Child Sexual Abuse Online, led by the US Department of Justice and the EU Commission, and WePROTECT, convened by the UK. This new, merged initiative has unprecedented reach, with 82 government members of the WePROTECT Global Alliance, along with major international organisations, 20 of the biggest names in the global technology industry, and 24 leading international and non-governmental organisations. Details: s.l.: The Alliance, 2018. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: http://www.africanchildinfo.net/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=1718&Itemid=142&lang=en Year: 2018 Country: International URL: http://www.africanchildinfo.net/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&sobi2Id=1718&Itemid=142&lang=en Shelf Number: 149945 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationOnline VictimizationSocial Media |
Author: Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse Title: Child sexual abuse in custodial institutions: A rapid evidence assessment Summary: Child sexual abuse (CSA) involves forcing or enticing a child or young person under the age of 18 to take part in sexual activities. It includes contact and non-contact abuse, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and grooming a child in preparation for abuse. As part of its work the Inquiry is undertaking an investigation into the extent of any institutional failures to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation while in custodial institutions. The investigation will consider the nature and scale of child sexual abuse within the youth secure estate in addition to institutional responses to the sexual abuse of children in the youth secure estate. The rapid evidence assessment (REA) has been carried out to inform the investigation by reviewing the existing research evidence base. The REA explores the following: - Evidence related to the prevalence of child sexual abuse in custodial institutions; - Socio-demographic characteristics, both of victims and perpetrators; - The factors associated with failure to protect or act to protect children in the care of custodial institutions; - The nature of the safeguarding systems in place and how they have changed over the years; - Recommendations in the literature regarding how those systems may be improved to better protect children in custody from sexual abuse. Details: London: The Independent Inquiry, 2018. 161p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/investigations Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/investigations Shelf Number: 149946 Keywords: Child GroomingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCustodial InstitutionsJuvenile Detention CentersJuvenile Inmates |
Author: Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse Title: Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale: Investigation Report Summary: This investigation report concerns child sexual abuse in Rochdale, relating to Cambridge House, Knowl View School and the late Cyril Smith. We are primarily concerned with the institutional responses of Rochdale Borough Council, the police and the Crown Prosecution Service. Smith first came to prominence as a local councillor, then Mayor and later as Member of Parliament from 1972 until his retirement in 1992. He died in 2010. Cambridge House was a hostel for working boys run by a voluntary organisation of which Smith was Honorary Secretary, and was open from 1962 to 1965. He had ready access to the boys living in the hostel, allegedly facilitating his sexual abuse of them under the guise of 'medical examinations' including, in most cases, of a boy's private parts. He also administered punishment for truancy, illness or absconding, which included spanking a bare bottom. He told police in a written statement in 1970 that at all times he was acting 'in loco parentis' to the boys, but we found it inexplicable that he thought his role permitted 'medical examinations' when he had no medical qualifications. He had considerable control over which boys were admitted to the hostel and, in general, showed a strong, perhaps unduly detailed, interest in children in care as his political career developed. This interest appeared to go unchallenged by the Council. Cyril Smith's prominence and standing in Rochdale allowed him to exert influence on others locally - in particular, to put pressure on them to keep quiet about any allegations of abuse. Although the Lancashire Constabulary investigation into Smith pursued the allegations robustly and diligently, the Director of Public Prosecutions advised that there should be no prosecution. It has been suggested that Smith or his supporters may have exerted improper influence on the Director of Public Prosecutions, but there is no evidence to support such an allegation. Valuable opportunities were, however, lost in 1998 and 1999 to charge and prosecute Smith during his lifetime, and for the complainants of his alleged abuse to seek justice. Smith's standing in public life increased, and in 1988 he was awarded a knighthood for his political services. It is clear that there were some frank discussions at the highest political level about the rumours in circulation about him, with no obvious concern for alleged victims. Rather, the concern was about what would be fair to Smith and whether the honours system might subsequently be brought into disrepute. We concluded that this demonstrated a considerable deference to power and an unwillingness to confront the possibility that a person of public prominence might be capable of perpetrating sexual abuse. Cyril Smith's links to Knowl View School in Rochdale led the Inquiry to a wider investigation of that school and allegations of sexual abuse by other individuals of children who lived there. It was the sexual abuse of children by others that became the focus of the Inquiry's investigation. We heard from complainants of sexual abuse who had been at Knowl View School in a period extending over 25 years, beginning in 1969. The evidence demonstrated that the children who attended the school had a range of complex needs, including learning disabilities, autism and mental health. Many had also suffered from adverse experiences in their family life and had already been abused. We concluded that, far from taking additional steps to protect these children, the school and other institutions had come to regard their sexual abuse while at Knowl View as almost expected, or as something that could not be prevented. The children's experience of the school was extremely poor at the most basic level of the fabric of the building, which bore no resemblance to a homely environment. Nor was the school safe, secure, caring or therapeutic. It was supposed to offer education and care, but in reality it offered neither in any way that could be seen as adequate, let alone nurturing. The institution failed in its basic function to keep children in its care safe from harm and, in particular, safe from sexual harm, both within and outwith the school. Child sexual abuse involving children from Knowl View occurred from its early years onwards. Within the school there was sexual abuse of boys by staff, and of younger boys by older ones. Sexual exploitation of some boys was also taking place in Rochdale town centre, in the public toilets and bus station, by men paying for sex. Some boys were also trafficked to other towns for that purpose. In a particularly shocking incident in 1990, Roderick Hilton, a known sex offender who had previously been convicted of sexually abusing a boy at Knowl View in 1984, gained access to the school and the boys over two nights, when he indecently assaulted at least one of them. Hilton was well known to the staff of the school, who did nothing over many years to deter him targeting the school. He was imprisoned in 1991 for a series of child sexual offences. Despite this, on his release from prison on licence, he continued to be a malign presence at the school, 'little' was done to stop Hilton's continued access to the grounds and buildings. For most of the school's existence, staff were at best complacent but arguably complicit in the abuse they knew to be taking place, and they must take their share of the blame for what was allowed to occur. It was our strong conclusion that Knowl View staff simply treated the sexual abuse between boys as 'normal', without differentiating between what was experimentation and what was coercive and intimidating. There was little evidence that the school appreciated the profound harm that peer-on-peer sexual abuse could cause. Sexual exploitation of children from the school at Smith Street public toilets was known about by the authorities from at least 1989. Indeed, some Social Services' staff could see the toilets from their offices, recognised some of the boys as children in care and were deeply suspicious of what was going on, although there was no apparent follow-up. The records of individual children convey a total lack of urgency on the part of the authorities to address the problem and treat the matters involved for what they were - serious sexual assaults. One boy's file recorded that he had contracted sexually transmitted hepatitis through 'rent boy' activities. We concluded that no one in authority viewed any of this as an urgent child protection issue. Rather, boys as young as 11 were not seen as victims, but as authors of their own abuse. Subsequent police show that the police did not turn a blind eye to the sexual exploitation of boys in Rochdale town centre. They knew children were being exploited in Smith Street toilets, but did not obtain sufficient evidence to prosecute. There is evidence of a willingness on the part of police officers to investigate. Nevertheless, the records that survive do not provide any satisfactory answer as to why police did not charge anyone, despite knowing the names of men involved and obtaining some disclosures from the boys who were victims. etc. Details: London: The Independent Inquiry. 2018. 167p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 28, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/cambridge-house-knowl-view-and-rochdale-investigation-report-april-2018 Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/document/cambridge-house-knowl-view-and-rochdale-investigation-report-april-2018 Shelf Number: 149947 Keywords: Child Grooming Child ProstitutionChild Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Custodial Institutions Juvenile Detention Centers Juvenile Inmates |
Author: Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse Title: Child Migration Programmes: Investigation Report Summary: Over a period of many years before and after the Second World War, successive United Kingdom governments allowed children to be removed from their families, care homes and foster care in England and Wales to be sent to institutions or families abroad, without their parents. These child migrants were sent mainly to Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Government departments, public authorities and charities participated in these child migration programmes and were responsible, to varying degrees, for what subsequently happened to the children. Post-war, around 4,000 children were migrated, mostly to Australia. This report sets out the results of the Inquiry's investigation into the experiences of child migrants, and the extent to which institutions took sufficient care to protect these children from sexual abuse. The investigation also examined the extent to which the institutions involved knew, or should have known, about the sexual abuse of child migrants and how they have responded to any such knowledge. Finally, it considered the adequacy of support and reparations for sexual abuse, if any, which have been provided by the institutions concerned. Although the focus of the Inquiry is on sexual abuse, the accounts of other forms of abuse provide an essential context for understanding the experiences of child migrants. Many witnesses described 'care' regimes which included physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, as well as sexual abuse, in the various settings to which they were sent. Some described constant hunger, medical neglect and poor education, the latter of which had, in several instances, lifelong consequences. By any standards of child care, then or at the present time, all of this was wrong. A former child migrant said his experiences at one school were "better described as torture than abuse", saying he was locked in a place known as 'the dungeon' without food or water for days. Another told of "backbreaking" work on the building of a new school building. Yet another spoke of the failure to give him medical attention, which resulted in the loss of an eye. In some places, there were persistent beatings of boys and girls, and one witness described how he had tried to kill himself at the age of 12. In a particularly awful incident, we heard of the sadistic killing of a pet horse loved by the children, which a group of 15 children were forced to watch as a form of collective punishment for an alleged wrongdoing. This incident took place during what was known as a 'Special Punishment Day' at Clontarf (one of the institutions to which child migrants were sent). This epitomised the brutal and brutalising environment in which many child migrants lived. We heard that there were few, if any, means of reporting abuse and children lived in fear of reprisals if they did so. They were disbelieved and intimidated, often with violence. One witness was told to 'pray' for her abuser, with no further action being taken on the abuse. Another was told not to tell anyone when he reported that he had been raped. For some children, one of the most devastating aspects of their experience was being lied to about their family background, and even about whether their parents were alive or dead. This had a lifelong impact, including on their physical and mental well-being and their ability to form properly, or lost records, effectively robbing these children of their identity. The effects of this carelessness and poor practice cannot be overestimated. The agencies involved in 'sending' children in the migration programmes were mostly voluntary organisations, with a small number being migrated by local authorities. Some organisations, such as the Fairbridge Society and Barnardo's, operated as both sending and receiving institutions, providing schools and homes in the country of migration. Others migrated children to institutions run by other organisations. From evidence available to the Inquiry, there was a sense in which these children were treated by some of the sending institutions as 'commodities' with one institution even referring to its 'requisition' for a specific number of children to be sent to Australia. Many of the voluntary organisations involved failed in their duty to exercise proper monitoring or aftercare, having dispatched children, in some cases as young as 5, to the other side of the world. Although some (such as the Fairbridge Society) had in place a form of post-migration monitoring, these were not robust systems, and some (such as the Sisters of Nazareth, when migrating to Christian Brothers institutions) had no post-migration monitoring system at all. Details: London: The Independent Inquiry, 2018. 174p. Source: Internet Resource: accessed April 28, 2018 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/4265/view/Child%20Migration%20Programmes%20Investigation%20Report%20March%202018.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/4265/view/Child%20Migration%20Programmes%20Investigation%20Report%20March%202018.pdf Shelf Number: 149948 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild LaborChild MigrantsChild MigrationChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationUnaccompanied Children |
Author: Lee, Murray Title: Sexting and Young People Summary: Aim This project aimed to investigate the phenomenon of sexting by young people. This under-researched but emergent contemporary legal and social issue was examined through an inter-disciplinary and multi-method framework by asking the question: are the current legal and policy responses to sexting reflective of young peoples' perceptions and practices of sexting? As such, the research had three specific aims: 1. to document young people's perceptions and practices of sexting; 2. to analyse public and media discourse around sexting, and; 3. to examine existing legal frameworks and sanctions around sexting and develop recommendations for an appropriate and effective legislative policy response to the practice by young people. Method The project consisted of a three-stage research plan: 1. quantitative surveys and focus groups with young people regarding their views and experiences of sexting; 2. a media discourse analysis to capture the tenure of public discussion around sexting in Australia, and; 3. an analysis of existing laws and sanctions that apply to sexting in all states and territories in Australia. Results Our results indicate that a significant number of young people have engaged in the sending and receiving of sexually suggestive pictures (sexting). Indeed, 47% of young people surveyed reported engaging in such behaviour. However, both the types of activity and the frequency of the engagement varied dramatically amongst respondents. Furthermore, the vast majority of those who reported sending or receiving sexually suggestive images did so with only a small number of people and most commonly only with those they already had a romantic attachment. Focus group respondents indicated that they did not use the term sexting and saw it as an adult or media construct. Their knowledge about sexting relied heavily on media reports and high school curriculum. A range of motivations for sexting practices (both their own and their peers) were also identified, ranging from experimentation to peer pressure. Respondents tended to perceive that young people - particularly young women - feel pressure to exchange sexual images. On the other hand participants in sexting exchanges were much more likely to judge their behaviour positively, stressing the fun and flirtatious nature of sexting. Focus groups participants' also suggested the importance of an intersectional analysis (age, class and gender) in understanding and engaging with sexting practices, as well as the need to rethink criminal justice responses to sexting. The discourses that young people reported around sexting mirrored the findings of the media analysis, which showed that young peoples' sexting behaviours were an issue of growing concern in the Australian media. Sexting was framed in the media as a risky activity, with potentially far-reaching consequences for young people and their romantic and career prospects, not to mention the potential legal ramifications. Such media reporting has thus promoted a particular image of sexting as an activity that should be avoided by young people, and dealt with seriously by parents, educators, governments and the law. An analysis of the legal framework around sexting suggests that sexting has generally been framed as child pornography and that such offenses significantly outweigh young people's perceptions of the seriousness of most behaviours that might be defined as sexting. In Australian jurisdictions child pornography has a relatively broad definition, extended in recent decades in response to concerns that new technologies are fueling child pornography. In most jurisdictions there is little to legally hinder prosecution (aside from the general requirement of establishing sufficient understanding of wrongfulness on the part of 10 to 14 year olds (presumption of doli incapax), defenses to child pornography offenses for minors in certain situations in Tasmania and Victoria and the Attorney-General's permission being needed before prosecution of an under 18 year old can be commenced under the Commonwealth Criminal Code). It is therefore legally possible for young people to be prosecuted for child pornography offenses. Despite this it seems that prosecutions for child pornography offenses for sexting are rare in Australia and that discretion is widely used to divert young people from formal proceedings unless there are aggravating factors. Conclusion This project has found that the sending and receiving of sexually suggestive pictures by young people can have serious consequences. As well as the potential legal consequences for young people who take and/or circulate such images, there are a number of personal costs that young people engaging in this behaviour may face. These include the embarrassment or humiliation resulting from the dissemination of images, coercion through the threat of making an image public, the continuation of physical or psychologically abusive behaviours into the digital realm (cyberbullying), and the potential for such images to fall into the hands of pedophiles. More generally sexting can contribute to the reproduction of gendered power relations and double standards. Such negative consequences are reinforced by much of the media discourse on sexting. Nevertheless, the findings from this project suggest that such outcomes, as reported by young people themselves, are relatively rare. Indeed, the majority of young people, although certainly not all, who engage in sexting do so with a romantic partner in a climate of perceived mutual trust. Even though this trust might be thought of as fragile, the research shows it is not regularly broken. It should be noted that when such trust is broken and a third party is shown the image, it is more likely to occur in-person rather than through digital onsending - although of course this also happens. Details: Canberra: Criminology Research Advisory Council, 2015. 86p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed April 30, 2018 at: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1516/53-1112-FinalReport.pdf Year: 2015 Country: Australia URL: http://crg.aic.gov.au/reports/1516/53-1112-FinalReport.pdf Shelf Number: 149968 Keywords: Child Pornography Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Online CommunicationsSextingSocial Media |
Author: rights4girls Title: Survivor Protection: Reducing the Risk of Trauma to Child Sexual trafficking Victims Summary: Domestic child sex trafficking is a persistent problem in the United States. Under federal law, child sex trafficking occurs any time a minor under the age of eighteen is induced to perform a commercial sex act. Historically, domestic victims have received gravely insufficient protection and support due to a lack of awareness about domestic trafficking and the hidden nature of this crime. When information about human trafficking first gained traction in the United States, it was commonly believed that sex trafficking victims in the U.S. were primarily foreign nationals. However, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, from January 2008 to June 2010, eighty-three percent of confirmed sex trafficking victims identified in the United States were U.S. citizens, and approximately fifty-four percent were minors under the age of eighteen. Despite these children being subjected to violence, manipulation, and torture, the public still viewed victims of domestic child sex trafficking as criminals willingly engaged in prostitution, rather than as victims of violence and exploitation. In recent years, advocates have been working to shift both the law and public perception to ensure that survivors of domestic child sex trafficking are understood to be victims of gender-based violence5 and child abuse, rather than seen as "child prostitutes." Congress has played a significant role in working to advance greater protections for victims of domestic sex trafficking and increasing public awareness about the plight of American victims, and particularly, U.S. born children. Between 2013 and 2015, Congress passed a number of federal laws aimed at protecting domestic victims and assisting them in accessing many of the services and resources available to other victims of trafficking and sexual violence. Although the federal law has long been clear that child sex trafficking should be viewed as a severe form of trafficking in persons, victims of child sex trafficking are still denied the full scope of protections afforded to other victims of violence, and specifically child abuse, including protections that prevent re-traumatizing children who cooperate as victim witnesses in criminal prosecutions. This paper will provide an overview of the legal justifications for extending existing protections for child abuse victim witnesses to domestic child sex trafficking victim witnesses, and highlight various states that have passed legislation to this effect. Although this paper focuses on the use of Closed Circuit Television as a protection mechanism, we also identify other methods that can and should be utilized to protect child victim witnesses in human trafficking cases. The scope and landscape of protections for survivors of child sex trafficking is broad, but ensuring protections during human trafficking prosecutions is an area that has received little attention outside of victim advocacy spaces. The goal of this paper is to describe the legal framework that justifies extending courtroom protections that are offered to other victim witnesses to survivors of child sex trafficking testifying in criminal prosecutions. We encourage all systems officials working with this population, including judges, legislators, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and victim advocates to use the information provided to ensure that victims of child sex trafficking are afforded necessary protections, services, and support during trial. In doing so, the strength and success of prosecutions may improve. Most importantly, prioritizing the psychological, emotional, and physical protection of victim witnesses will bring us one step closer to achieving justice on behalf of survivors. Details: Washington, DC: rights4girls, 2018. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 7, 2018 at: http://rights4girls.org/wp-content/uploads/r4g/2018/01/Survivor-Protection.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: http://rights4girls.org/wp-content/uploads/r4g/2018/01/Survivor-Protection.pdf Shelf Number: 150071 Keywords: Child ProtectionsChild Sex TraffickingChild Sexual AbuseChild WitnessesVictims of Trafficking |
Author: Sharp-Jeffs, Nicola Title: A lot going on: the links between going missing, forced marriage and child sexual exploitation Summary: An extensive review of research and policy literature revealed that links are made between: going missing and forced marriage; going missing and child sexual exploitation; and forced marriage and child sexual exploitation. However, despite these overlaps, no links are made between all three issues. Given that some South Asian young women will run away from home in order to avoid being forced into marriage and that young people who run away or go missing from home are at risk of, or abused, through child sexual exploitation a research proposition was developed on the basis that a three way link was theoretically possible. A case study methodology was developed to test the research proposition. Eight cases were identified in which South Asian young people (under 18 years of age) had experienced some combination of all three issues. However, the pattern identified within the research proposition was not the 'final explanation'. Analysis of the research findings revealed that variation existed within the pattern proposed. Moreover, a second pattern was identified in which forced marriage emerged as a parental response to young people who were already being sexually exploited and going missing in this context. The patterns identified were confirmed through analysis of interviews undertaken with twelve subject experts (key informants) and resonated with a specifically selected group of nine young people who were presented with a composite case study during focus group discussion. I argue that awareness of patterns linking all three issues will help practitioners to identify and respond appropriately to cases where the issues of going missing, forced marriage and child sexual exploitation overlap. That said the complexity of the cases highlighted risks associated with overlooking diversities: social divisions related to age, gender, ethnicity, class, sexuality and disability were explored to see how they shaped the young people's experiences. This process revealed that they were located within complex axes of power which then intersected with social systems, including family, community and public institutions. As a consequence, young people lacked relational support and had limited access to safe accommodation and economic resources. This resulted in some young people making attempts to try and self-manage the competing harms that they were facing. The practitioners who supported the young people highlighted the challenges involved in working with them. Analysis of practitioners' accounts further revealed how power dynamics within multi-agency working arrangements also impacted their efforts to respond to the needs of young people. Through testing the research proposition, I addressed a recognised need for more focused research into the issue of going missing as it relates to young people from different ethnic backgrounds (Berelowitz et al. 2012; Berelowitz et al., 2013; OCC, 2012; Patel, 1994; Safe on the Streets Research Team, 1999; Stein et al. 1994) as well as furthering knowledge about how child sexual exploitation is experienced by young people from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities (Chase & Statham, 2004; CEOP, 2011b; Jago et al., 2011; Berelowitz et al., 2013; Thiara & Gill, 2010; Kelly, 2013; Ward & Patel, 2006). The development of a typology of patterns linking going missing, forced marriage and child sexual exploitation provides a unique contribution to the scholarly literature. Details: Luton, UK: University of Bedfordshire, 2016. 324p. Source: Internet Resource: Dissertation: Accessed May 21, 2018 at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82971362.pdf Year: 2016 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/82971362.pdf Shelf Number: 150315 Keywords: Child MarriageChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationForced MarriageMissing Persons |
Author: Napier, Sarah Title: What impact do public sex offender registries have on community safety? Summary: Sexual offending is a serious and harmful crime, particularly when it affects children, and often sparks significant community interest in the response by law enforcement and government. The modus operandi of sex offenders can vary widely, and the causes of sexual offending are complex, which means combating sexual offending can present significant challenges. A variety of policies and programs have been trialled internationally with the goal of preventing sexual offending and deterring convicted sex offenders from reoffending once released back into the community. One of these policies has been the adoption of public sex offender registries. In the United States, information on the name, appearance and location of high-risk sex offenders has been available to the public for 20 years. In 1994, the Jacob Wetterling Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act was introduced, requiring convicted sex offenders released into the community to register with law enforcement. In 1996, Megan's Law was passed federally as a subsection of the Jacob Wetterling Act. Megan's Law requires law enforcement agencies to make information on registered sex offenders available to the public, which enables individuals to search for registered sex offenders living in their community. Details: Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 2018. 20p. Source: Internet Resource: Trends & issues in crime and criminal justice no. 550: Accessed May 24, 2018 at: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi550 Year: 2018 Country: Australia URL: https://aic.gov.au/publications/tandi/tandi550 Shelf Number: 150423 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSex Offender RegistrationSex Offenders |
Author: Heilman, Brian Title: Masculine Norms and Violence: Making the Connections Summary: Male identity and masculine norms are undeniably linked with violence, with men and boys disproportionately likely both to perpetrate violent crimes and to die by homicide and suicide. While biology may play a role in shaping a tendency toward certain forms of violence, the "nature" of men and boys is not the sole predictor of their violent behaviors or experiences. Rather, boys and men are often raised, socialized, and/or encouraged to be violent, depending on their social surroundings and life conditions. Why is it that men and boys are disproportionately likely to perpetrate so many forms of violence, as well as to suffer certain forms of violence? To add a new dimension to the complex answer, this report explores "masculine norms" - messages, stereotypes, and social instructions related to manhood that supersede and interact with being born male or identifying as a man - as crucial factors driving men's violence. It combines a review of academic and grey literature with program evidence and input from expert reviewers across several fields of violence prevention, making the connections between harmful masculine norms and eight forms of violent behavior: - Intimate partner violence - Physical violence against children (by parents or caregivers) - Child sexual abuse and exploitation - Bullying - Homicide and other violent crime - Non-partner sexual violence - Suicide - Conflict and war This report is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the evidence. Rather, it is an introductory-level analysis of key research findings on the links between harmful masculine norms and violent behaviors, as well as a contribution to an ongoing conversation on how to disassociate masculine norms from violence. While this report focuses on how violence is often generated as part of male socialization, it also seeks to present examples and research on men and boys' resistance to harmful masculine norms and violence. Details: Washington, DC: Promundo-US, 2018. 92p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2018 at: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Masculine-Norms-and-Violence-Making-the-Connection-20180424.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United States URL: https://promundoglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Masculine-Norms-and-Violence-Making-the-Connection-20180424.pdf Shelf Number: 150406 Keywords: BullyingChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationHomicidesIntimate Partner ViolenceMale ViolenceMasculinitySexual Violence |
Author: Internet Watch Foundation Title: Trends in Online Child Sexual Exploitation: Examining the Distribution of Captures of Live-streamed Child Sexual Abuse Summary: This Paper introduces the key findings of a study of the distribution of captures of live-streamed child sexual abuse which were publicly available online during 3 months in 2017 ("the Study"). The Study was carried out by Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and funded by Microsoft. Over a three-month period between August and October 2017, images and videos meeting the research criteria were identified using a combination of leads from existing IWF data and techniques employed by IWF analysts to proactively locate child sexual abuse imagery being distributed online. The images and videos were then assessed in accordance with IWF's standard procedures for processing child sexual abuse imagery. Data captured in each instance included image category, site type, commerciality, hosting location, and the assessed age and gender of the individuals depicted. During the Study, 2,082 images and videos were assessed as meeting the research criteria. Key findings were: - 96% depicted children on their own, typically in a home setting such as their own bedroom. - 98% of imagery depicted children assessed as 13 years or younger. - 96% of the imagery featured girls. - 40% of the imagery was Category A or B. - 100% of the imagery had been harvested from the original upload location and was being redistributed on third party websites. - 4% of the imagery was captured from mobile-only streaming apps. - 73% of the imagery appeared on 16 dedicated forums with the purpose of advertising paid downloads of videos of webcam child sexual abuse. Key recommendations are: - Recognition of the need for awareness raising programs aimed at educating children and those in a parental role about the risks of live-streaming services; - Wider implementation of tools to tackle online distribution of child sexual abuse imagery by service providers; - Development of new services including video hashing technology to detect duplicate captures of live streamed child sexual abuse which have been redistributed online; - Recognition of legal loopholes facilitating distribution of child sexual abuse imagery and elaboration of policy proposals that can influence positive change. This paper sets out the limitations on the Study and makes recommendations for further research which can be undertaken to expand upon and clarify the findings. It is hoped that by raising awareness of this issue, a multi-agency approach can be taken to help protect children from the immediate and long-term effects of the distribution of permanent records of their sexual abuse. Details: Cambridge, UK: IWF, 2018. 26p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 30, 2018 at: https://www.iwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Distribution%20of%20Captures%20of%20Live-streamed%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20FINAL.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iwf.org.uk/sites/default/files/inline-files/Distribution%20of%20Captures%20of%20Live-streamed%20Child%20Sexual%20Abuse%20FINAL.pdf Shelf Number: 150409 Keywords: Child PornographyChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationInternet CrimesSexting |
Author: National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children Title: "Is this sexual abuse?" NSPCC helplines report: peer sexual abuse Summary: It's normal for children to demonstrate a range of sexual behaviours as they grow up. But sometimes they may behave in a sexualised way that is inappropriate to their age and stage of development. We call this harmful sexual behaviour, because it's harmful to the children who display it, as well as the people it's directed towards. There are many reasons why children display harmful sexual behaviour, but research shows that exposure to trauma can be a key factor in its development (Hackett, 2016). Harmful sexual behaviour can be displayed towards peers, younger children, older children or adults. It ranges from behaviour that is socially inappropriate to behaviour that is unexpected or impulsive, and behaviour with an element of victimisation or violence. This may include unwanted or inappropriate touching; forcing or coercing someone else to watch or take part in sexualised activity; and sexual violence. Around a third of child sexual abuse is committed by other children and young people (Hackett, 2014). We hear from parents and professionals who are concerned about children displaying sexualised behaviour. In 2016/17, there were 663 contacts to our helpline about this. Many of the adults who got in touch weren't confident about deciding whether sexualised behaviour is 'normal' or harmful, and they weren't sure of the best way to respond. Puberty can be a confusing time and peer relationships naturally change as children grow up. This can mean children also find it difficult to identify which sexual behaviours are appropriate and inappropriate. Those who display harmful sexual behaviour may not recognise that they are doing so. Those who experience harmful sexual behaviour may realise it makes them feel unhappy or unsafe, but they aren't always clear about how to respond. In 2016/17, our Childline service delivered 3,004 counselling sessions to children and young people who were concerned about having been sexually abused by their peers. This might be a friend; boyfriend or girlfriend; ex-partner; or another young person who was under the age of 18, and who isn't related to them. Throughout this report we're calling this type of abuse 'peer sexual abuse'. Peer sexual abuse can take place in a range of locations including at school, at home, at social events and online. According to a BBC Freedom of Information request, the number of police-recorded sexual offences by under-18-year-olds against other under-18-year-olds in England and Wales rose by 71 per cent between 2013/14 (4,603) and 2016/17 (7,866) (BBC, 2017). However, it's likely that peer sexual abuse is underreported. Research carried out by Radford in 2009 found that 1 in 3 children sexually abused by an adult didn't tell anyone at the time, and this figure is even higher for children who have experienced peer sexual abuse (Radford et al, 2011). Some young people tell our Childline counsellors they don't want to speak out, for reasons like: - being worried about getting a friend or partner into trouble - being blackmailed or threatened into keeping things secret - being afraid of being bullied - not being sure they will be believed. They may not fully understand whether they gave consent for sexual activity to take place, feel guilty or think they are somehow to blame - especially if alcohol was involved, or if they were involved in sexting (sharing explicit texts, images or videos). We want to help adults support children who are affected by peer sexual abuse more effectively. It's vital that children and young people who have experienced any form of abuse know it wasn't their fault, and are able to get the right help at the right time. So in this report we're sharing what young people have told Childline about their experiences of peer sexual abuse. We've looked at how peer sexual abuse takes place; the impact this has on young people's lives; and the challenges they face accessing support. We're also highlighting what they say helps them get back on track after experiencing peer sexual abuse, what they're telling us about the support they need, and how we can best prevent peer sexual abuse from happening. Details: London: NSPCC, 2018. 27p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 3, 2018 at: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/nspcc-helplines-report-peer-sexual-abuse.pdf Year: 2018 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.nspcc.org.uk/globalassets/documents/research-reports/nspcc-helplines-report-peer-sexual-abuse.pdf Shelf Number: 150451 Keywords: Child ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseJuvenile Sex OffendersPeer RelationsPeer Sexual AbuseSextingSexual AbuseSocial Media |
Author: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse Title: Consultation Paper: Criminal Justice Summary: The importance of a criminal justice response Criminal justice for victims In Chapter 2, we discuss the importance of a criminal justice response for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse. Criminal justice involves the interests of the entire community in the detection and punishment of crime in general, in addition to the personal interests of the victim or survivor of the particular crime. Survivors have told us of a variety of responses they have sought from the criminal justice system, and they have expressed a range of views on what they would have regarded as 'justice' for a criminal justice response. We recognise that a criminal justice response is important to survivors not only in seeking 'justice' for them personally but also in encouraging reporting of child sexual abuse and preventing child sexual abuse in the future. Past and future criminal justice responses In private sessions and in personal submissions in response to Issues Paper No 8 Experiences of police and prosecution responses (Issues Paper 8), we have heard accounts from survivors of their experiences with police, particularly from the 1940s onwards, and of their experiences with prosecutions from the 1970s and 1980s onwards. Survivors have told us of both positive and negative experiences with police and prosecution responses. In general terms, many of the negative experiences we have been told about were experienced in earlier periods of time through to the early 2000s. In our policy work on criminal justice responses, our main focus must be on understanding the contemporary response of the criminal justice system to institutional child sexual abuse and on identifying how it can be made more effective. Criminal justice and institutional child sexual abuse The criminal justice system is often seen as not being effective in responding to crimes of sexual violence, including adult sexual assault and child sexual abuse, both institutional and noninstitutional. Research identifies the following features of the criminal justice system's treatment of these crimes: - lower reporting rates - higher attrition rates - lower charging and prosecution rates - fewer guilty pleas - fewer convictions. There are also features of institutional child sexual abuse cases that may affect the ability of the criminal justice system to respond effectively to these cases. These include: - 'word against word' cases, where there are no eyewitnesses to the abuse and no medical or scientific evidence - the importance of the complainant being willing to proceed, particularly where their evidence is the only direct evidence of the abuse - lengthy delays, where many survivors take years, even decades, to disclose their abuse. This can make investigation and prosecution more difficult - particularly vulnerable victims may be involved, including young children or people with disability. There are also many myths and misconceptions about sexual offences, including child sexual abuse, that have affected the criminal justice system's responses to child sexual abuse prosecutions. The myths and misconceptions have influenced the law and the attitudes jury members bring to their decision-making. The following myths and misconceptions have been particularly prominent in child sexual abuse cases: - women and children make up stories of sexual assault - a victim of sexual abuse will cry for help and attempt to escape their abuser that is, there will be no delay in reporting abuse and a 'real' victim will raise a 'hue and cry' as soon as they are abused - a victim of sexual abuse will avoid the abuser that is, a 'real' victim will not return to the abuser or spend time with them or have mixed feelings about them - sexual assault, including child sexual assault, can be detected by a medical examination that is, there will be medical evidence of the abuse in the case of 'real' victims. Operation of the criminal justice system There has been much academic debate about what might be said to be the purposes of the criminal justice system. In addition to the purpose of punishing the particular offender, the criminal justice system also seeks to reduce crime by deterring others from offending. The criminal justice systems in Australian jurisdictions function through an 'adversarial' system of justice, where the prosecution (representing the Crown) and the defence (representing the accused) each put forward their case and any evidence in relation to whether the act was committed, by whom, and with what intent. Theoretically, this 'contest between the parties' is designed to produce the most compelling argument as to what the truth of the matter is. Given that the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters is undertaken by the state, there is seen to be an imbalance between the prosecution and the accused. In recognition of this imbalance, a number of principles have emerged through the development of the common law to ensure that trials are conducted fairly. These include the following: - The prosecution must prove, beyond reasonable doubt, that the accused committed the crime or crimes charged. The corollary of this principle is that the accused is presumed to be innocent until proven guilty. - The accused has a right to silence. This means that the accused cannot be compelled to give evidence or confess guilt. - The criminal trial should be conducted without unreasonable delay. - The accused has the right to examine witnesses in order to test the credibility of the witness and their testimony. - The prosecution is obliged to act independently and impartially and to conduct the case fairly. - If an accused is charged with a serious offence and lacks the financial means to engage legal representation, he or she should be provided with a lawyer. Many survivors have told us that they feel that the criminal justice system is weighted in favour of the accused. Some survivors who have participated as complainants in prosecutions have told us that they felt almost incidental to the criminal justice system and that they had little control over matters that were very important to them. Recognition of victims has increased over the last 50 years. States and territories introduced victims' compensation schemes from 1967 onwards. In the 1990s, emphasis shifted towards providing greater support services for victims. Victim impact statements were also introduced, and Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) guidelines required prosecutors to consult with victims. In 2013, Australia's Attorneys-General endorsed the National Framework for Rights and Services for Victims of Crime. Other responses to institutional child sexual abuse A number of stakeholders have argued that the Royal Commission should consider the use of restorative justice approaches (involving a range of processes to address the harm caused to victims) in connection with, or instead of, traditional criminal justice responses to institutional child sexual abuse. It appears that restorative justice may not be available for or of assistance to many survivors of institutional child sexual abuse, including: - because of the power dynamics and seriousness of institutional child sexual abuse offending, restorative justice approaches may only be suitable in only a small number of these cases. - many survivors do not wish to seek a restorative justice outcome with the perpetrator of the abuse - given the frequent delay before reporting, many offenders will be unavailable or unwilling to participate in restorative justice approaches. The Royal Commission provided for elements of restorative justice approaches in institutional child sexual abuse through the 'direct personal response' component of redress. The recommendations we made in our Report on redress and civil litigation (2015) are not intended as an alternative to criminal justice for survivors. Ideally, victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse should have access to justice through both criminal justice responses and redress and civil litigation. Some survivors have also told us that they found real benefit in state and territory statutory victims of crime compensation schemes because the decisions made by the relevant tribunals or administrators gave them official recognition of the crimes committed against them. Our approach to criminal justice reforms It must be recognised that the criminal justice system is unlikely ever to provide an easy or straightforward experience for a complainant of institutional child sexual abuse. However, we consider it important that survivors seek and obtain a criminal justice response to any child sexual abuse in an institutional context in order to: - punish the offender for their wrongdoing and recognise the harm done to the victim - identify and condemn the abuse as a crime against the victim and the broader community - emphasise that abuse is not just a private matter between the perpetrator and the victim - increase awareness of the occurrence of child sexual abuse through the reporting of charges, prosecutions and convictions - deter further child sexual abuse, including through the increased risk of discovery and detection. We also consider that seeking a criminal justice response to institutional child sexual abuse is an important way of increasing institutions', governments' and the community's knowledge and awareness not only that such abuse happens but also of the circumstances in which it happens. We consider that all victims and survivors should be encouraged and supported to seek a criminal justice response and that the criminal justice system should not discourage victims and survivors from seeking a criminal justice response through reporting to police. We are satisfied that any necessary reforms should be made to ensure that: - criminal justice responses are available for victims and survivors who are able to seek them - victims and survivors are supported in seeking criminal justice responses - the criminal justice system operates in the interests of seeking justice for society, including the complainant and the accused. Regulatory responses to child sexual abuse However, it is unrealistic to expect that all true allegations of institutional child sexual abuse will result in a criminal conviction of the accused, even if the criminal justice system is reformed to achieve these objectives. We recognise the importance of ensuring that regulatory responses focusing on child protection can interact effectively with criminal justice responses, particularly in cases where there is no criminal conviction. These regulatory responses include reportable conduct schemes, Working with Children Check schemes and industry regulation. Details: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, 2016. 709p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed January 20, 2019 at: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/consultation-papers Year: 2016 Country: Australia URL: https://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/sites/default/files/file-list/Consultation%20Paper%20-%20Criminal%20justice.pdf Shelf Number: 154273 Keywords: AbuserAustraliaChild AbuseChild Sexual AbuseDirector of Public ProsecutionsInstitutional ResponseNational Framework for Rights and Services for VicRestorative JusticeSexual AssaultSexual ViolenceSurvivorsTestimonyVictim |
Author: Maxim, Donald Title: Online Child Exploitation Material - Trends and Emerging Issues: Research Report of the Australian National University Cybercrime Observatory with the input of the Office of the Children's eSafety Commissioner Summary: This report by the ANU Cybercrime Observatory provides an overview of three important areas for Child Exploitation Material (CEM): - The relationship between online and offline offending; - Horizon scanning - identifying emerging areas of CEM development; and - Current regulatory, educational and collaborative approaches to combatting CEM Each section provides an overview of the issue and further analysis of other key areas identified during the research phase. At the conclusion of each section, a brief annotated bibliography is available to provide insight into which sources may be useful for further investigation. Information for this report was derived from many and varied sources including but not limited to government agencies (national and international), non-governmental organisations, academic articles, law enforcement agencies, blogs, tech websites, product sites, online news articles and surveys. While investigating each area, the research team worked within the scope of online CEM and aimed to provide a substantial overview for each section by addressing some of the key points or emerging trends. However during the research phase several areas that were not initially considered for the report were later identified as key areas of development for online CEM (e.g. Virtual Reality and Applications). Accordingly these topics were also included in the report. The relationship between online and offline sexual offending is highly controversial and complex. It is clear that research is lacking in this area and current research presents insufficient evidence for establishing a causal relationship between online and offline offending. Apart from addressing some of the methodological limitations of research in this area, this section of the report also addresses how the internet or technological advances (e.g. Virtual Reality) may assist in the desistance of offending or exacerbate motivations to commit real life offenses. The second section presents several emerging issues in online CEM and aims to provide a brief but comprehensive insight into how these areas are developing. The various topics include live streaming, applications, online gaming, user-generated content, Darknet, hacking, phishing, emerging technology and Virtual Reality (VR). Some of these concepts are quite traditional (e.g. user-generated content) however it is the development of 'cyber' and 'technology', which frames them as emerging issues. Other topics (e.g. live streaming or VR) present new, unique challenges to combatting online CEM. Some topics include snapshots of current cases such as the Pokemon Go trend, the Australian schools online pornography website, and interactive VR brothels and their implications for CEM. The final section discusses trends and effectiveness of current regulatory, educational, and collaborative approaches to CEM. Regulatory methods include ISP and social media regulation, parental control tools, and the potential for app regulation is also briefly mentioned. Key educational approaches include online safety guides and training courses. Collaborative prevention measures include hotlines, the National Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), Child Rescue Coalition, and the Virtual Global Taskforce (VGT). While these CEM prevention methods have made notable differences in detection and removal of CEM the effectiveness of education of the public, generation of reports, self-reporting, and tracking of child predators remains empirically untested. Technology is continually evolving and it is difficult to predict or evaluate emerging issues. The research team found it challenging to identify substantial information that can be verified by current research. This was particularly the case when analysing cutting edge or new technology as well as evaluating the effectiveness of current prevention approaches. This report aims to provide a reference point for further analysis and research on the topics addressed. Challenges associated with the cyber sphere and the 'Internet of Everything' do not remain static. The degree of facilitation (e.g. Virtual Private Networks, digital currency) and convergence associated with online CEM are continuously evolving in step with changes in technology. The rapid rate of change is the key challenge for the development of effective prevention strategies. This was demonstrated while our research was underway. Innovation, usually an adaptation of existing software or technology that was not initially present was later identified as a key developing area in online CEM (e.g. Virtual Reality and software applications). The Pokemon Go craze, which quickly attracted malware and grooming is a good example of the misuse of a popular apps. The velocity and variety of new and emerging risks with potential impact on online CEM will require, as a priority, the means to monitor these developments. The increase and rapid distribution of user-generated content is especially concerning. One aspect, consensually shared or 'stolen' sexualized images has given rise to 'sextortion', which can be propagated with the development of 'apps' that can inadvertently enhance and facilitate online CEM. Equally concerning are the implications of Virtual Reality (VR). VR in combination with teledildonics (or 'cyberdildonics' products designed to realise remote sex) enables potential offenders to live out any of their sexual fantasies. The VR trend may motivate offenders to seek on-line or off-line victims. The effects of VR on the conduct of pedophiles remain unclear. We don't know whether VR will placate desires or erode social inhibitions. However, VR is likely to encourage some criminals to enhance their experience by incorporating live streaming of child sex abuse with the tactile experiences promised by such technologies. The prevention of online CEM depends entirely on knowing present and emerging risks. Effective counter-measures include deep web surveillance of CEM innovators, and the development of early warning systems, for example, SNS 'swarm' warning flags. Details: Canberra: Australian National University, Cybercrime Observatory, 2016. 105p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed March 14, 2019 at: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2861644 Year: 2016 Country: International URL: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2861644 Shelf Number: 154957 Keywords: Child GroomingChild PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationCybercrimeInternet CrimesOnline VictimizationPornographySex OffendingSextortion |
Author: Independent Inquiry Into Child Sexual Abuse Title: Safe inside? Child sexual abuse in the youth secure estate Summary: The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ('the Inquiry') aims to consider the extent to which state and non-state institutions in England and Wales have failed in their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation, and to make meaningful recommendations for change. This research explores perceptions and experiences of safeguarding in the youth secure estate in England and Wales, specifically in relation to child sexual abuse. It complements the Inquiry's investigation into the extent of any institutional failures to protect children from sexual abuse while in custodial institutions. The research provides contemporary insight from staff and children across different establishments in the youth secure estate. The study sought to find out the extent to which children feel safe from sexual abuse in the youth secure estate, and the role of staff, systems and processes within this. The youth secure estate in England and Wales currently comprises three different types of establishment: Young Offender Institutions (YOIs), Secure Training Centres (STCs) and Secure Children's Homes (SCHs). These three types of establishment vary by size, the age and gender of children they accommodate, staff to child ratios, and their management and governance structures. The establishments also differ in terms of the legal basis for detaining children: YOIs and STCs hold children detained on criminal justice grounds only, however SCHs are able to hold children for criminal justice reasons as well as children held on welfare grounds for their own protection. Children in secure establishments generally come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Prior experience of abuse, sexual or other, and local authority care is common amongst the population (Mendez Sayer et al., 2018). The youth secure estate in England and Wales has seen a continual decline in numbers from an average of 2,932 children and young people for the year ending March 2008 to 900 for the year ending March 2019 (HMPPS, 2018a). This has altered the characteristics of the population, resulting in secure settings holding children serving longer sentences who display more challenging behaviours, have multiple and more complex needs, and pose a greater risk to both themselves and others. The youth secure estate has been assessed by recent independent inspections as being unsafe to hold children. Concerns have been raised around the levels of violence, restraint and children's perceptions of safety. The 2016/17 Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons for England and Wales (HMIP) survey highlighted that 39 per cent of children reported feeling unsafe at some point in their current YOI and 22 per cent of children felt unsafe at some point since arriving at their STC (HMIP, 2017b). In 2016/17, there were around 2,700 reported assaults in the youth secure estate and 4,500 recorded incidents of restraint (Youth Justice Board, 2018). This shows the high levels of violence and restraint present across the estate given the relatively small population. Prevalence statistics in relation to child sexual abuse also indicate there were around 200 alleged incidents in the youth secure estate in 2016 and 2017 (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, 2018). These figures are again worryingly high for a population size which has consistently decreased since 2008. Details: London: Author, 2019. 103p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 2, 2019 at: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/9536/view/safe-inside%3F-child-sexual-abuse-youth-secure-estate-full-report.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.iicsa.org.uk/key-documents/9536/view/safe-inside%3F-child-sexual-abuse-youth-secure-estate-full-report.pdf Shelf Number: 155605 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationJuvenile CorrectionsJuvenile DetentionSecure EstatesYouth Secure Estates |
Author: United Nations Children's Fund - UNICEF Title: The Economic Burden of Violence Against Children in Nigeria Summary: The 2014 National Survey on Violence Against Children in Nigeria (NVACS) indicates that violence in childhood makes men and women significantly more likely to engage in risky behaviours (i.e alcoholism, smoking, drugs abuse), experience negative health outcomes (like mental illnesses, Sexually Transmitted Infection's including HIV) or/and drop out from school. International research has also confirmed that violence of any kind experienced in childhood has a life-long negative impact on the individual's physical, psychological and cognitive development and consequently, affects entire communities and nations by diminishing their human capital. The fact that the human capital is considered the most critical capital in economic development, The Federal Government under the leadership of the Ministry of Budget and National Planning and in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development and UNICEF engaged a renowned scholar in this field, Professor Xiang Ming Fang, Professor of Health Economics at Georgia State University and previously Senior Health Economist with the Division of Violence Prevention at the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) to interrogate the economic burden of Violence Against Children in Nigeria, by estimating the size of the economic burden of VAC and to analyse the index causes using the Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY). The estimate calculates both the years of fully productive life lost to mortality and morbidity caused by VAC and the subsequent economic value of this loss of productivity. These estimations paint a clear picture of the significant impact that VAC has on Nigerian children, and the economic burden on the country as a whole. In summary, this report provides the evidence, especially the economic justification that is needed to prioritize child protection services, especially those that will lead to elimination of violence against children, recognizing the need to arrest the build-up of risks and vulnerabilities throughout the life cycle as associated with the adverse health, education and productivity effects of VAC. I therefore join other stakeholders that make a case that sufficient attention should be place on arresting the negative and avoidable build up that has serious economic cost, human capital development and lifelong impacts associated with VAC. With the current ranking of the country on the Global Human Capital Development Index there is no better opportunity than now to create a fiscal space for child protection especially to specific preventive Child Protection programmes and services. I recommend this report as it provides us with veritable answers to questions that must be asked before budgetary apportionment and expenditures is made. It is also well aligned to the strategic objectives set out in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plans, under "the investing in our people" pillar. We as a people must not only improve the lives of the present generation but also our future generations. Details: Abuja, Nigeria: Author, 2019. 50p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2019 at: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/media/2216/file Year: 2019 Country: Nigeria URL: https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/media/2216/file Shelf Number: 155621 Keywords: Child Abuse and NeglectChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseEconomic AnalysisEconomics of CrimeEconomics of ViolenceViolence Against Children |
Author: Sathyanarayanan, Sunethra Title: Iraq - Country Overview. A report on the scale, scope and context of the sexual exploitation of children Summary: Iraq has a total population of more than 37 million, of which 47% are children. Years of conflict, including insurgency from the militant group Da'esh (also known as ISIL) and hosting up to 250,00 refugees from neighbouring Syria, have exacerbated the range of risks that children face, including to sexual exploitation. Boys and girls from persecuted groups have faced high levels of sexual violence and exploitation either through recruitment into ISIL forces or through sexual enslavement by its members. Other children resorted to survival sex in desperation to escape the environment of violence and abuse and the lack of livelihood opportunities. Poverty and extremely limited opportunities force people, including boys and girls into exploitative conditions in order to survive or provide for their families. Boys have reported being required to provide sexual services to receive their wages in some working conditions. Girls escaping violence, abuse, forced marriages or so-called 'honour killings' are exploited by recruiters. Details of elaborate systems established for trafficking women and girls have been reported in areas previously controlled by ISIL. National law enforcement and protection systems are stretched beyond breaking point, which has led to situations that allow child sex offenders to abuse with impunity. Instances of sexual exploitation of children through prostitution have been reportedly protected by complicit police and security forces. Instances of IDP and refugee At a Glance camp administrators have also been exposed as demanding sex, including with children, for food. Sharp increases in access to technology see 80% of 15-year olds having access to a mobile phone, with many also online via these devices. Risks are increased from the big generational gap in Internet use meaning parents are unaware of the risks to online sexual exploitation that children face. Cases of sexual extortion where perpetrators threaten to expose private images have been reported that can lead to ongoing instances of sexual exploitation or even trafficking. Since the retreat of ISIL forces in 2017, tourism has surged, particularly in the more stable Kurdistan Region of Iraq region, with tourist numbers hitting 1.3 million within the first half of 2018. As tourism grows, so may sexual exploitation of children in this context. While the legal age for marriage is 18, many marriages are conducted outside the formal legal system without registration, meaning child marriage rates are likely to be higher than the roughly 24% of girls that has been reported. Child marriage can be viewed as a protection mechanism. For example, it was used to prevent girls being married to men associated with ISIL, or families in poverty benefit from bride price. Fasliya marriages (gifting a female to another tribe through marriage) are also practiced in some areas, particularly the south of the country. Details: Bangkok, Thailand: ECPAT International, 2019. 29p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 4, 2019 at: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Iraq-ECPAT-International-Country-Overview-Report-2019.pdf Year: 2019 Country: Iraq URL: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Iraq-ECPAT-International-Country-Overview-Report-2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155622 Keywords: Child MarriageChild ProstitutionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual ExploitationSexual Abuse |
Author: Williams, Mike Title: The NSPCC'S Protect and Respect Child Sexual Exploitation Programme: A Discussion of the Key Findings from Programme Implementation and Service Use Summary: This report presents a discussion of the key findings from the evaluation of the NSPCC's Protect & Respect programme, which ran from June 2014 to November 2017. The Protect & Respect programme, provided support to children and young people affected by sexual exploitation, and included the following: - A group work service, where NSPCC practitioners did work with small groups of children and young people (numbering between 2 and 10) on a weekly basis over a period of one to two months. - Four different types of one-to-one service. One-to-one work involved an individual NSPCC practitioner doing work with a child or young person to support them on issues relating to exploitation. The four different services covered prevention, risk reduction, child protection and recovery. Work was sometimes done with carers and professionals who supported the child or young person. - The commissioning of research into child sexual exploitation. -- One piece of research, on the link between child sexual exploitation and neglect, was commissioned and completed during the evaluation period (Hanson, 2016). - An unpublished rapid evidence assessment was conducted on research on service delivery responses to child sexual exploitation published between 2006 and 2018 (Walker et al, 2019). In particular this report summarises and discusses: - The implementation of the Protect & Respect programme. - The findings from the group work service and the one-to-one service, which are detailed more fully in two separate accompanying reports (Williams, 2019a; 2019b). This introductory chapter sets the context to the report by: - Providing a note on the NSPCC's position on the use of child sexual exploitation films and the lessons that the NSPCC has learned over the course of the programme. - Providing a note on the NSPCC's position on children and young people's agency, the use of victim-blaming language and the lessons that the NSPCC has learned over the course of the programme. - Summarising recent policy developments in the area of sexual exploitation. - Looking at the evidence base for the effectiveness of professional responses and services in working on sexual exploitation. - Describing the NSPCC's recent involvement in working with sexual exploitation and the reasons for establishing the Protect & Respect programme. - Summarising the guidance provided to NSPCC managers and practitioners on providing the Protect & Respect programme. - Describing the evaluation methodology used. The description includes an account of how the focus of the evaluation changed over the course of the data collection period. Details: London: NSPCC, 2019. 140p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 9, 2019 at: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1699/a-discussion-key-findings-from-programme-implementation-service-use.pdf Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://learning.nspcc.org.uk/media/1699/a-discussion-key-findings-from-programme-implementation-service-use.pdf Shelf Number: 155708 Keywords: child Abuse and NeglectChild GroomingChild PornographyChild ProtectionChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation |
Author: Thimanna, Sanchia Title: ECPAT Country Overview: Czechia Summary: Czechia is a central European country with a population of 10.7 million of which 1.8 million are children. Although a high-income country ranking 27th on the Human Development Index, poverty driven by socioeconomic inequality and ethnic discrimination continues to persist in Czechia. Children belonging to marginalized groups often live in excluded localities with substandard housing and drop out of school early to escape from discrimination entrenched in the education system. These factors contribute to making children highly vulnerable to sexual exploitation. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of exploitation of children in prostitution in Czechia, including those of very young children. High rates of Internet and mobile phone use among children in the country have facilitated online child sexual exploitation, by making it easier for perpetrators to establish contact with them. The sharing of self-generated sexual content among children is also a matter of growing concern. Czechia continues to be a source, transit and destination country for human trafficking, with children comprising more than half of the identified victims of sale and trafficking for sexual purposes. The risk of sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism is of grave importance, particularly in light of the exponential increase in the number travellers and tourists in the country. An emerging trend of cross-border trafficking for the purpose of fraudulent marriages has also put children in Czechia at risk. The country has ratified the main legal instruments to combat the sexual exploitation of children (SEC), including the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography, as well as the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons Especially Women and Children, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (Palermo Protocol). Czechia is also part of a number of international and regional commitments addressing SEC, such as the Sustainable Development Goals and the WePROTECT Global Alliance to End Child Sexual Exploitation Online. However, amendments to the national legislation are yet to be made for the definitions of all SEC-related offences to align with the ratified instruments and commitments. Further, loopholes in the legal framework need to be fixed in order to protect children above 15 years of age. Czechia does not have a national strategy or coordination body specifically addressing SEC. Some aspects of SEC are addressed within broader national strategies by different government bodies, mainly the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The trafficking of children has been prioritized in the National Strategy to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings 2016-2019. Efforts have been made by the government to implement prevention measures through raising awareness, with much focus on safer Internet use by children. In terms of children's access to justice, Czechia does not have an Ombudsperson for Children to receive and resolve complaints made by children. Nevertheless, several child-sensitive measures have been put in place, including trainings for law enforcement personnel on how to communicate with child victims in specially designed hearing rooms. Czechia does not have specific recovery and reintegration services for victims of SEC, and could benefit from having clearer avenues for child victims to seek compensation. Although there has been progress in children's participation in matters of governance, efforts must be made to involve child victims and survivors in order to take their needs and interests into consideration while designing policies. Details: Bangkok: ECPAT International, 2019. 32p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 20, 2019 at: https://www.ecpat.org/news/czechia-child-sexual-exploitation-through-prostitution-reaches-new-high/ecpat-country-overview-czechia-czech-republic-2019/ Year: 2019 Country: Czech Republic URL: https://www.ecpat.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/ECPAT-Country-Overview-Czechia-Czech-Republic-2019.pdf Shelf Number: 155932 Keywords: Child Abuse and Neglect Child Prostitution Child Sexual Abuse Child Sexual Exploitation Child Victims CzechiaForced Marriage Sexual Exploitation of Children Sexual Exploitation of Children in Travel and Tour |
Author: Karsna, Kairika Title: Improving Understanding of the Scale and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse: Characteristics and Experiences of Children and Young People Attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Greater Manchester Summary: This report brings together evidence collected from the case files of children and young people aged 0-17 attending Saint Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) in Greater Manchester for a forensic medical examination following disclosure or suspicion of sexual abuse. The data relates to all 986 forensic medical examinations of under-18s living in the Greater Manchester area who accessed the service between April 2012 and March 2015. Data was retrospectively extracted from the paper case file of each 'service user', including background and demographic data about them, the route by which they were referred to the SARC, the nature of the child sexual abuse (CSA) reported to have taken place, and the people suspected of committing it. The choice of data extracted was based on the 'data collection template', a core dataset developed by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse (CSA Centre) to standardise and improve agencies' recording of data about CSA. This case study formed part of the pilot of the data collection template; its aim was to explore the value and practicability for agencies of collecting core data systematically about the nature of CSA, the people involved in and affected by it, and associated services. Although the data here was collected from existing records, the study serves to demonstrate what other agencies could collect and report if they adopted the data collection template as part of routine practice. Established in 1986, Saint Mary's SARC is the UK's largest single-centre SARC. It was the first of its kind, developed to provide high-quality medical examinations in a designated and specialised space for men, women and children who had experienced sexual assault. The findings generated through the study have wider relevance because they represent the experiences of a large number of children for whom there were concerns about sexual abuse. It is important to emphasise, however, that they are not representative of CSA in other settings or locations. The vast majority of victims of CSA do not disclose their abuse and are not identified by professionals, and many of those who are identified do not attend a SARC. Furthermore, medical examinations of children at a SARC are provided following disclosure or suspicion of contact sexual abuse; experiences of non-contact CSA are, therefore, not represented in the study. Details: S.L.: Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, 2019. 44p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed May 31, 2019 at: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/ Year: 2019 Country: United Kingdom URL: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/research-publications/scale-and-nature-of-child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation/st-marys-case-file-review/ Shelf Number: 156127 Keywords: Child Sexual AbuseSexual AssaultVictim AssistanceVictim ServicesVictimization |
Author: Newman, Nick Title: A Tangled Web: Rethinking the Approach to Online CSEA Summary: Child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) is a deeply emotive and troubling issue, and in recent years we've witnessed the worrying emergence of a much more insidious version of the threat. Online CSEA is changing the scope and scale of offending - with the internet increasing the exposure of victims and offering a safe haven for offenders to access imagery and stream live abuse on demand. Details: London, UK: PA Consulting, 2018. 36p. Source: Internet Resource: Accessed June 6, 2019 at: https://www.paconsulting.com/insights/2019/protecting-our-children/ Year: 2018 Country: International URL: http://www2.paconsulting.com/TheTangledWeb.html?_ga=2.254335816.1953190354.1559851398-1800249135.1559851398 Shelf Number: 156203 Keywords: Child PornographyChild Sexual AbuseChild Sexual Exploitation and AbuseChild VictimsOn-lineSex Offenders |