Sexual exploitation of young males - impediments to recognition. (v1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Surrounded by silence: What are the potential impediments to the recognition of the sexual exploitation of young males under the age of 18?
IRAS ID
173117
Contact name
Jacqui A Montgomery-Devlin
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Bedfordshire
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 28 days
Research summary
A growing body of research evidence over the last decade has shown child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK to be an issue of serious concern. However, the invisibility of boys and young men within the discourse on CSE and within the literature has been strongly emphasised. The low rate of known cases of male CSE appears to be an issue of recognition as well as prevalence (Beckett, 2011; Berelowitz et al 2013). Although there is increasing recognition of difficulties in relation to the disclosure and identification of the sexual exploitation of young males, there has been little UK research that has focused explicitly on the reasons for this; therefore this gap remains and should be addressed in order to inform targeted, evidence-based interventions for young male victims of CSE.
The overall aim of this research is to address the gap in knowledge outlined above. Specifically the research will seek to:
• Identify inhibitors to disclosure by young males and potential solutions
• Identify impediments to identification by professionals and potential
solutions
• Explore any relation between barriers to disclosure and impediments to
identification.
• Examine the effectiveness of current policies and procedures on CSE in
relation to young males
• Consider examples of promising practiceA mixed methods approach will be adopted for the research, consisting of:
• a survey of relevant professionals; interviews with relevant professionals;
• interviews with males aged between 14 and 25 years who have knowledge of the issue
of CSE.REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
15/NI/0248
Date of REC Opinion
18 Dec 2015
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion