A Case Study Approach to Reducing the Risks of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Abstract

The risk of child sexual exploitation is a growing concern, both within community and child care settings. Within community services working with vulnerable young people, the risks of exploitation are pervasive and present a constant management problem for professionals. This makes the need for focused educational interventions within such settings all the more vital. This case study aims to describe the assessment, formulation, intervention, and outcomes of a young female considered to be at risk of sexual exploitation. It was hypothesised that, after completion of a psychoeducational group designed to enhance knowledge and skills around child sexual exploitation, positive outcomes would be seen in psychometric assessment, risk-taking behavior, and risk awareness. Results demonstrated no clinically significant change for measures of impulsivity, resourcefulness, or self-reported difficulties. A significant increase was seen for self-reported self-esteem, and all outcomes revealed a positive direction of change. Observational accounts of behavioral and attitudinal change produced more positive results, revealing an increase in prosocial behaviors and a reduction in risk-taking behaviors. Outcomes are discussed in relation to the individual's history and the residential care environment. Implications for future research and practice are outlined, and the study limitations are considered.

Creating Awareness of Sexual Abuse in Children with Special Education Needs: Depending on the Opinions of Teachers of the Mentally Handicapped

“…Sexual abuse of children whether they have disabilities or not has been gradually increasing (Berry, Tully & Egan, 2017;Buchana, 1991;Elkins, Gafford, Wilks, Muram & Golden, 1986;Finkelhor, Hotaling, Lewis & Smith, 1990). …”

Developmental approach to child trafficking.

“…Child labor trafficking narrows the physical skills development to those required for the forced labor (e.g., housecleaning) just as child sex trafficking trains exploited youth to behave in ways that enhance their marketability (e.g., how to behave sexually, engage in sex acts), and this becomes a part of the child's identity. Over time, the child's repertoire of relationally shaped behaviors can further influence identity development as the their emerging skills are limited to physical and psychological survival (Berry et al, 2017). Coerced labor or sexual activity that exceeds the size and physical development of the child victim causes damage, sometimes irreparable, to the developing child's body.…”

Safeguarding Young People Beyond the Family Home

“…However, this differed in respect of interventions reported for young people more directly involved in or at risk from EFRH. Berry et al (2017), for example, noted that gender-specific groups for young women who had experienced CSE in the UK promoted participants' feelings of safety, particularly since most of them had experienced male perpetration. The Safe Choices project in the UK, aiming to address sexual exploitation and violence affecting girls and young women in the context of 'gang' association, layered a feminist analysis into its group and individual interventions: There were two elements to the feminist ethos of the project, both valued by young women: the genderinformed analysis of sexual exploitation and violence that connects social and sexualised sexism to young women's lives; and a feminist relational approach to women supporting women … valuing active participation; connecting private 'troubles' with public 'issues'; and promoting relationships with workers and other young women.…”