Children and adolescents who sexually abuse other children: Responses to an emerging problem

Although there is a developing knowledge base and considerable research into many aspects of child abuse and child protection work, it has only recently been recognized that some children and adolescents sexually abuse other children. This article, which aims to provide an overview of the area for practitioners, explores various issues related to the identification, management and treatment of young sexual abusers and its development into a social problem. Research into official and expert guidance on how to respond to young sexual abusers will be identified together with an initial analysis of how far area child protection committees in England and the London boroughs may be addressing the problem. A key theme highlighted will be the debate about child protection versus youth justice responses in relation to young sexual abusers.