Policy Press

Child Sexual Exploitation: Why Theory Matters

Edited by Jenny Pearce

Published

Dec 2, 2019

Page count

278 pages

ISBN

978-1447351436

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Dec 2, 2019

Page count

278 pages

ISBN

978-1447351412

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Dec 2, 2019

Page count

278 pages

ISBN

978-1447351443

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Dec 2, 2019

Page count

278 pages

ISBN

978-1447351443

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Child Sexual Exploitation: Why Theory Matters

The issue of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is firmly in the public spotlight internationally and in the UK, but just how well is it understood?

To date, many CSE-related services have been developed in reaction to high profile cases rather than being designed more strategically. This much-needed book breaks new ground by considering how psychosocial, feminist and geo-environmental theories, amongst others, can improve practice understanding and interventions.

Edited by one of the leading scholars in the field, this is an essential text for students and those planning strategic interventions and practice activities in social, youth and therapeutic work with young people, as it supports understanding of how CSE arises and how to challenge the nature of the abuse.

“[A] thought-provoking work that illuminates the necessity of consistently returning to the ideals of feminist reflection and collaboration in social work in order to challenge taken-for-granted knowledges that too easily creep into writing and practice.” Affilia: Journal of Women and Social Work

"A topical and much needed resource reflecting research, theory, practice and experience of child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking. It will be welcomed by practitioners and policy makers alike." Baroness Doreen E. Massey, House of Lords

“A must-read for all of us thinking about intervention development and researching CSE, with thought-provoking case examples provided throughout. This book is a wonderful immersion in the theory behind what we do – I highly recommend it.” Elizabeth Dartnall, Research Manager, Sexual Violence Research Initiative.

“This is a superbly argued collection unpicking the contemporary conceptual ‘framing’ of child sexual exploitation. Essential and challenging reading for all practitioners and researchers working to safeguard children.” Lorraine Radford, University of Central Lancashire

Jenny Pearce, OBE, is a Professor of Young People and Public Policy at the University of Bedfordshire.

Foreword ~ Julia Davidson

Bringing theory home: thinking about child sexual exploitation ~ Jenny Pearce

Moving beyond discourses of agency, gain and blame: reconceptualising young people’s experiences of sexual exploitation ~ Helen Beckett

Child sexual exploitation, discourse analysis and why we still need to talk about prostitution ~ Jo Phoenix

Contextual Safeguarding: theorising the contexts of child protection and peer abuse ~ Carlene Firmin

‘Losing track of morality’: understanding online forces and dynamics conducive to child sexual exploitation ~ Elly Hanson

Understanding adolescent development in the context of child sexual exploitation ~ John Coleman

Some psychodynamic understandings of child sexual exploitation ~ Nick Luxmoore

Understanding trauma and its relevance to child sexual exploitation ~ Kristine Hickle

Social support, empathy and ecology: a theoretical underpinning for working with young people who have suffered child sexual abuse or exploitation ~ Pat Dolan and Caroline McGregor

Using an intersectional lens to examine the child sexual exploitation of black adolescents ~ Claudia Bernard

What’s gender got to do with it? Sexual exploitation of children as patriarchal violence ~ Maddy Coy

Understanding models of disability to improve responses to children with learning disabilities ~ Emilie Smeaton

Some concluding thoughts ~ Jenny Pearce