Child Sexual Exploitation: Impact on Children and Social Work Practice

This report delves into the critical issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) and its profound impact on looked after children and their families. It explores the multifaceted nature of CSE, encompassing manipulation, online exploitation, and the devastating consequences for victims. The report examines the policy and legislative frameworks in place to combat CSE, providing key statistics and insights into the scope of the problem. A comprehensive literature review analyzes existing research on the implications of CSE, the impact of abuse on children, and the role of social work in rehabilitating victims. The report highlights the importance of social work practices in providing support, intervention, and long-term care for children affected by CSE. The research aims to identify the implications of CSE, the impact of sexual abuse, and the implications for social work practices. It also provides a detailed structure of the research, including the introduction, policy and legislative framework, literature review, and research methodology, to give a comprehensive understanding of the topic.

The implications of child
sexual exploitation and the
impact it has on looked after
children and the implications
for social work practice.
Table of Contents
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................1
1.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................1
1.2 Background of Study.............................................................................................................2
1.3 Purpose and Rationale of Study............................................................................................3
1.4 Problem Statement................................................................................................................3
1.5 Research aim and objectives.................................................................................................4

1.6 Research questions................................................................................................................4
1.7 Structure of research.............................................................................................................4
1.8 Framework of research..........................................................................................................6
1.9 Significance of research........................................................................................................7
CHAPTER 2: POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK....................................................8
2.1 Introduction...........................................................................................................................8
2.2 Policies and Legislations.......................................................................................................8
2.3 Key Statistics.........................................................................................................................9
2.4 Conclusion...........................................................................................................................11
CHAPTER 3 LITERATURE REVIEW........................................................................................12
Implications of Child Sexual Exploitation................................................................................12
Impact of sexual abuse and exploitation on children and their family.....................................14
Implications for social work practices for rehabilitating victims of exploitations....................16
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................20

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction
Children receive rewards such as money or affection in order to put themselves in
exploitative situation. People tends to manipulate children or adolescents by making them
believe that they are in loving consensual relationship (Child sexual exploitation: definition and
guide for practitioners, 2017). These people invite them in the party and exploit them by giving
them harmful drugs and alcohol. These children sometimes groomed and exploited online by
thugs in order to earn money out of it. Sources says that people trafficked adolescents and young
children within and outside United Kingdom for the purpose of sexual abuse and exploitation
(Webb and Holmes, 2015). Sexual exploitation of young people and children can also done in
gangs. Young children who trust their abuser easily often fall into their trick and abuser taking
advantage of it sexually abuse them. Child sexual exploitation occurs where an individual or
group takes benefits of an imbalance of power to threat, manipulate and deceive a young person
or child under age of 18 into sexual activity either in exchange of something which the victim
needs or for financial advantage (Shields and Letourneau, 2015). The degree of crime will
remain same even after the crime was consensual. Child exploitation does not always involve
physical contact, offenders exploit young children on different online websites. The biggest child
protection scandal in the history of United Kingdom was the Rotherham child sexual exploitation
scandal. From the late 1980s until the 2010s, organised child sexual abuse continued almost
unchallenged by legal authorities
These abuses can be varies from violent, humiliating and degrading exploitation to sexual
assaults like rape. In many cases, children were pressurised by their abuser and forced in to
exchanging sexual activity for money, drugs, gifts, affection and status (Rafferty, 2016).
Offenders exploit children both in real and online by using different uncensored websites.
According to the government of United Kingdom, child sexual exploitation is the crime that can
have long lasting effect on both victims and families of victims. The first response to children,
and support for them to access help, must be the best it can be from social workers, police, health
practitioners and others who work with children and their families (McElvaney, 2015).
In accordance with this context, in the present study researcher will focus on the
implications of child sexual exploitation and its impact on children and their family members.
The issue is revolving around the world which forces different leaders of countries to formulate
1

and implement strong and precise disciplinary actions against the offenders so that they will
never do this kind of inhuman crime again (Appleton, 2014). The role of social work practice
will be discuss in order to comprehend the practices they follow on the victims of sexual abuse to
redevelop their motivation and enthusiasm. The dissertation will be formulated in the precise and
systematic structure in order to make the study more comprehensible. The research is purely
based on secondary data thus, the data will be acquired from analysing books, journals, articles,
government websites and magazines in order to make detail understanding about the issue.
Effective research methodology will be implemented in the dissertation which will help the
researcher to attain the goals and objectives of the study effectively and efficiently.
1.2 Background of Study
Child sexual exploitation is the complex form of abuse and it makes difficult for the
authorities working with children to identify and address it efficiently. Young people or
adolescents are frequently deceived by the sinister people who sexually abuses these innocent
children (Kloess, Beech and Harkins, 2014). In this subject matter, ample of researchers and
scholars have done notably diligent work which will be analysed in the research as literature
review. Government of United Kingdom made certain amendments and punishments for the
offenders who found guilty in sexually abusing child. The research study will focus on the
implications of child sexual exploitation on the family members and victims.
Furthermore, how social work practice and rehabilitation centres helps in developing the
morale and motivation of the victim will be assessed in the assignment. Child sexual exploitation
or CSE is the kind of sexually abusing a child (Child sexual exploitation, 2018.). Children
receive rewards such as money or affection in order to put themselves in exploitative situation.
People tends to manipulate children or adolescents by making them believe that they are in
loving consensual relationship (Gerassi, Edmond and Nichols, 2017). These people invite them
in the party and exploit them by giving them harmful drugs and alcohol. In contrast to this, the
dissertation will demonstrate the different methods and ways through which young people got
often tricked by the offenders and becomes victim of exploitation and sexual abuse. In order to
attain the aim and objective of the research study, the researcher will use the precise
methodologies and sources of collection of data.
2

1.3 Purpose and Rationale of Study
The main motive of conducting the research study is to identify the implications of child
sexual exploitation occurred in United Kingdom and its affect on the family members and
victims. Child sexual exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes benefits of an
imbalance of power to threat, manipulate and deceive a young person or child under age of 18
into sexual activity either in exchange of something which the victim needs or for financial
advantage. The degree of crime will remain same even after the crime was consensual. Child
exploitation does not always involve physical contact, offenders exploit young children on
different online websites. The rationale for conducting the research study is to determine the
impact on victims of sexually abuse and exploitation. The research will help in analysing the past
records and number of cases recorded in United Kingdom. In this way, the researcher will able to
attain the goals and objectives of the research. The issue is revolving around the world which
forces different leaders of countries to formulate and implement strong and precise disciplinary
actions against the offenders so that they will never do this kind of inhuman crime again
(Gerassi, 2015). The role of social work practice will be discuss in order to comprehend the
practices they follow on the victims of sexual abuse to redevelop their motivation and
enthusiasm. Thus, in contrast to it researcher conduct the research in order to comprehend the
subject matter effectively and efficiently so that end users can able to understand the issue and
concept adequately.
1.4 Problem Statement
In recent years, the cases regarding child abuse and sexually exploitation has been
increased rapidly in United Kingdom (Franklin, Raws and Smeaton, 2015). Children were
deceived by the offenders and these offenders took advantages of it, sexually abuse young
children. The issue puts stress on government and respective authorities. The impact of sexual
abuse affects the psychology of both victim and family members. In order to provide detail
understanding of the issue, the researcher will concentrates on the past data by analysing various
secondary sources. Child sexual exploitation may occur without the child being aware of events,
or understanding that these constitute abuse. Online exploitation includes the exchange of sexual
communication or images and can be particularly challenging to identify and respond to.
Children, young people and perpetrators are frequently more familiar with, and spend more time
in, these environments than their parents and carers (Bryce, 2016). Those who work with and
3

care for children can struggle to remain up-to-date with the latest sites and potential connection
points, so practitioners should always seek specialist support if unsure about online
environments.
1.5 Research aim and objectives
Research aim and objectives are very important. The aim of research signifies the
direction and flow of research and objectives are for providing support to attaining the aim of the
research effectively and efficiently. In contrast, with this statement, the aim and objectives of the
research is provided below:
Aim
The aim of the research is to identify the implications of child sexual exploitation and the impact
it has on looked after children and the implications for social work practice.
Objectives
In order to attain the aim efficiently, researcher has formulated objectives which are as follows:
 To identify the implications of Child Sexual Exploitation.
 To identify the impact of sexual abuse and exploitation on children and their family.
 To investigate the implications for social work practices for rehabilitating victims of
exploitations.
1.6 Research questions
The fundamental core of dissertation is research question. It concentrates on the study,
identify the methodologies and provide guidelines for all stages of inquiry, analysis and
reporting. Thus, research questions plays prominent role in dissertation that provide effective
guidance to the researcher in order to conduct the research study effectively and efficiently. In
this context, the research questions are provided below:
1. What are the implications of Child Sexual Exploitation?
2. What are the impact of sexual abuse and exploitation on children and their family?
3. What are the implications for social work practices for rehabilitating victims of
exploitations.?
1.7 Structure of research
To attain the aim and objective of the research, it is very important and crucial for
researcher to construct a systematic and precise dissertation structure. The dissertation will be
used by various users, government and general public, thus it is important for the researcher to
4

construct it in systematic manner. In this way, he or she will able to accomplish the aim and
objective of the study. In this context, the structure of dissertation is described below:
Chapter 1 Introduction: This is the first chapter of the study where researcher will describe the
brief information about the topic of study. It is important chapter where researcher will tell about
the interest which attracts him or her towards choosing the topic. Furthermore, researcher will
describe the problem statement, background, aim, objectives and framework of research. This
chapter will aid in enhancing the comprehensive level of end users and other researchers.
Chapter 2 Policy and legislative framework: This is the second chapter of secondary research
dissertation. Here researcher will aim to describe the policies, regulations and legislative
framework which are formulated in United Kingdom and rest of the world in order to prevent
Child Sexual Exploitation.
Chapter 3 Literature Review: Literature review is the third chapter of secondary research
dissertation. Here researcher aim to set theoretical framework of study by analysing and
reviewing the articles written by senior researchers. Literature review is important chapter that
helps in understanding the concept of the topic of dissertation and assists in analysing the review
of other authors who put their view point on the issue.
Chapter 4 Research Methodology : Research methodology will be the fourth chapter of the
dissertation. Here researcher will explain the types of method he or she is going to use in the
research study in order to accomplish the aim and objective of the research study. Research
methodology is important chapter that describes the framework of the study.
Chapter 5 Discussion of findings and results: This is fifth and most important chapter of
dissertation where researcher will analyse the data collected by analysing different articles,
journals and books written by senior authors and researchers. The findings will help in
understanding the concept of subject matter and issue and will enhance the effectiveness of the
research.
Chapter 6 Conclusion and Recommendation: This is the last chapter of secondary research
dissertation. Here researcher will refer back to aims and reflect on research journey. He or she
will aim to provide brief synopsis of the study. Recommendations will be based on the data
analysis. These recommendation will help the management and authorities to prevent child
sexual exploitation and help the social workers to enhance their caring practices.
5

1.8 Framework of research
In this part, researcher will describe the methods he or she is going to use in the
secondary research dissertation. For dissertation perspective, it is very important for researcher to
describe what type of research philosophy, approach, design, method of collection of data,
sampling, analysis he or she is going to implement. In this context, framework of research study
is described below: Research Philosophy: Research philosophy is the belief through which data has been
collected, analysed and interpreted. Research philosophy deals with the source, nature
and development of knowledge. Research philosophy are categorised into four category.
In the present study, researcher will use positivism research philosophy. It is used for
qualitative studies, large samples and is highly structured. Research Approach: Discussion of research approach is a vital part of any scientific
study regardless of the research area. There are two types of research approach which are
widely used by researchers in research study. In present secondary research dissertation,
the researcher will use inductive research approach. Inductive approach contributes to
the emergence of new theories and generalizations. Research Design: Research design is the plan through which researcher attempts to
answer the research questions. In order to attain the aim and objectives of the research,
the researcher needs to select appropriate research design. In this present study, the
researcher will use exploratory research design. Here researcher will explore the theories
which are related with the subject matter. Research Strategy: Research strategy is the plan through researcher able to accomplish
the aim and objectives of the research. There are two type of methods which can be used
by researchers in order to conduct their study. These are qualitative and quantitative.
Qualitative research explains why something happens and derives meaning from the
recorded text, thoughts and experience of a sampled group, as they engage with a
phenomenon. In the present secondary research dissertation, the researcher will use
qualitative research method to conduct the study efficiently. Data Collection: Data collection is the process of gathering relevant data and information
by using various methods. It is crucial process where researcher gather important data
and information that can help him or her in carrying out the research study. In the present
6

secondary research dissertation, the researcher will collect data using secondary sources.
Here researcher will use books, journals and articles who address the issue regarding
child sexual exploitation. Sampling: Sampling is the process of taking small amount of data from large pool of
information. It is important process as analysing large data is not possible for researcher.
In the present secondary research dissertation, the researcher will take sample of only
those books, articles and journals who have specifically address the issue of child sexual
exploitation and that shows the implications of social workers towards the victims and
offenders. The method of sampling will be non probability sampling.
 Data Analysis: Data analysis is the process of converting raw collected data into
meaningful information. In the present study, the researcher will analyse the articles,
books and journals and formulate systematic themes which will be further analysed by
him or her effectively and efficiently.
1.9 Significance of research
The aim of the study is to identify the implications of child sexual exploitation and the
impact it has on who looked after children and the implications for social work practice. In the
research study, the researcher will aim to comprehend about the aspects of child sexual
exploitations where innocent children fell in the trap set by adults in order to take benefits from
them. The research study is significant for the researchers who will in future conduct study on
the subject matter. Child sexual exploitation is the complex form of abuse and it makes difficult
for the authorities working with children to identify and address it efficiently. Young people or
adolescents are frequently deceived by the sinister people who sexually abuses these innocent
children. The study will explain the implication of the social workers who looked after the
children or victims of crime. Thus, the study is important for the people who works in social
care centre for providing care and rehabilitation for the victims and offenders of the crime.
7

CHAPTER 2: POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
2.1 Introduction
The main motive of conducting the research study is to identify the implications of child sexual
exploitation occurred in United Kingdom and its effect on the family members and victims. In
this chapter, researcher provides information regarding the policies and legislation that governs
and regulates the issue regarding child trafficking and abuse. With the help of relevant and
authentic sources, statistics regarding child sexual exploitation will be described in this chapter.
2.2 Policies and Legislations
In United Kingdom, the Department of Education is responsible and accountable for
protecting child. It sets out legislation, regulatory framework and statutory guidance on how the
child protection system should work. At the local level, Local Safeguarding Children Boards
(LSCBs) co-ordinate and ensure the effectiveness of work to protect and promote the welfare of
children (Hayes and Unwin, 2016). Each local board includes: local authorities, health bodies,
the police and others including the voluntary and independent sectors. The LSCBs are
responsible for local child protection policy, procedure and guidance.
Legislation
Children Act 1989: Currently provides the legislative framework for child protection in
England. Key principles established by the act include the paramount nature of the child's
welfare and the expectations and requirements around duties of care to children (Child protection
in England, 2018).
Children Act 2004: The act was proposed in 2004 in order to strengthen Children Act 1989. It
encourages partnership between agencies and creates more responsibilities in order to protect the
children of United Kingdom. This establishes post of Children Commissioner for England. It
places a duty on local authorities to appoint director of children services and an elected lead
member for children services who is ultimately accountable for the delivery of services (Roberts,
2017). This further places a duty on local authorities and their partners (including the police,
health service providers and the youth justice system) to co-operate in promoting the well-being
of children and young people and to make arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of
children. It updates the legislation on physical punishments by limiting the use of defence
reasonable punishment so that it can no longer be used when people are charged with the
offences against a child of wounding or cruelty.
8

Sexual Offences Act 2003: The act was passed by the British parliament in 2003 for prosecution
of child sexual exploitation. Moreover, the legislation consists of 59 sections which show
different types of punishment according to the kind of exploitation (Greenbaum, Crawford-
Jakubiak and Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect, 2015). For example; Section 1 is for
Rape, Section 2 and 3 for sexual assault and section 57-59 for trafficking within and outside the
UK for sexual exploitation.
Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014: Section 116 of this act ‘Protection from
sexual harm and violence’ allows police to accquirehotels and similar establishments, in which
they reasonably believe child sexual exploitation is taking place, to access information about
guests (Child protection in England, 2018). This is intended to equip the police to better
investigate sexual offences committed on these types of premises.
Policies and Guidance
The Department of Education of United Kingdom formulate a policy named “Working
together to safeguard children (2015) which is a statutory guidance for anyone working with
children. It describes how organisation and individuals should work in collaboration and how
practitioners should conduct the assessment of children. The policy helps the social workers and
carers who work with children who have faced abuse in past (Child protection in England,
2018). In addition, the policy guide them to provide effective care to the children so that their
mental status can be enhanced in an effective and efficient manner. The new counselling makes
some changes to guidance on making allegations against people who work with children. Unlike
previous editions, Working Together 2015 no longer refers to Local Authority Designated
Officers (LADOs). Instead, it states that local authorities should have a designated officer or
team of officers for the management and oversight of allegations. The 2015 guidance includes
for the first time a requirement that new appointments should be qualified social workers, unless
they have previous experience in the role.
2.3 Key Statistics
Between 2014 and 2016, there was a 49 percent increase in crimes connected with child sexual
exploitation across London, from 618 in 2014 to 922 in 2016. In addition, there was a 42 percent
increase in the number of children who police believe are at risk of CSE, from 1,116 in 2014 to
1,582 in 2016 (Figures released ahead of National Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day,
2017).
9

The figures were based on the findings where children of age 11-17 were asked whether anyone
had tried to make them do anything sexual. These figures indicate the true reality of Child Sexual
Abuse in United Kingdom. Most of the children of age 16-17 said that they had done sexually
things with an adult in position of trust. 4.8 per cent of children of age 11-17 years reported
sexual abuse at some points in childhood.
As per child protection register, there were 2940 cases reported where children required
protection from sexual abuse in the year 2015-2016. It was further identified that 1 in 3 children
in United Kingdom sexually abused by an adult did not tell anyone. The statistics shows that the
severe offence has been and is been committed in the country that impacts on the country image
greatly. Despite of stricter policies and legislations, perpetrators do not afraid to take advantage
10
Illustration 1: Findings on sexual abuse
Source: (Sexual abuse Facts and statistics, 2018)
Illustration 2: Findings on sexual abuse
Source: (Sexual abuse Facts and statistics, 2018)