Issues in relation to children and young people who sexually abuse other children: A survey of practitioners' views

In the context of the findings and recommendations of the NCH Committee of Enquiry Report into Children and Young People who Sexually Abuse other Children (1992) a questionnaire survey of practitioners conducted during the autumn and winter of 1995196 is described. 101 professionals from a number of disciplines, drawn from English Area Child Protection Areas (ACPCs) responded to the questionnaire which sought factual information about the respondents and elicited their views on various aspects, including their levels of satisfaction with policies and procedures in their areas, their access to post-qualifying training opportunities and issues of concern to them.

The findings of the survey are presented and it is argued that agency responses to sexual abuse by children and young people remain very variable. Whilst acknowledging the existence of political and other constraints on policy and practice developments currently, suggestions and recommendations for change are offered.