This presentation will present findings from a recently completed two year research programme, the overall aim of which was to investigate current developments in the UK and the Republic of Ireland in services for young people who have sexually abused others. The research was jointly funded by the National Organisation for the Treatment of abusers (NOTA), the Youth Justice Board in England and the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
Juvenile sexual abuse is a contested and controversial area of work, although it constitutes a significant proportion of all sexual abuse committed in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The research base relating to this area is relatively under-developed and so the project completed by the presenters is the first large-scale attempt to capture developments in this area of work across all the nations comprising the UK and the ROI. A multi-method study was undertaken, which included:
•A comprehensive mapping exercise relating to services, including practices, policies and procedures;
•Two Delphi exercises, collecting views and opinions of key experts in the field of sexual abuse on need, standards and principles of practice;
•A qualitative study of service user perspectives, which explored users' views, opinions and experiences of the services offered to them.
The presenters will reflect upon the process of investigating this area of practice using the above methods, drawing out the implications for those who may wish to conduct similar research in their own nations.
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
CORE (COnnecting REpositories)
