The Youth Sexual Exploitation - Term Paper Example

The Youth Sexual Exploitation Introduction Sexual exploitation has risen to become a prominent global problem owing to（ 因为） the rising incidences of sexual exploitation among children and young people. Commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) features a form of coercion（强制，强迫） and violence perpetrated against children and is analogous（类似的） to coerced（强制，迫使） labour and/or a modern form of slavery (Scott and Harper 2006, p.313). The paper explores policy initiatives undertaken under New Labour Government, and their efficacy in responding to the scourge of child and young people sexual exploitation. Children and young people subjected to sexual exploitation suffer grave violation of their rights, inclusive of the right to liberty, security of person, right to dignity, right not to be subjected to involuntary servitude, right to be free from cruel and inhumane treatment, right to health, and the right to be free from violence (UNICEF 2009, p.89; Jago et al. 2011, par.2). The pull factors to child and young people sexual exploitation entail being liked/fancied, receiving alcohol, money or gifts, and taken to clubs and adult venues (Davidson 2005, p.25; Melrose 2010, p.3). Push factors to sexual exploitation details aspects such as missing episodes, neglect and emotional abuse, physical and sexual abuse, family breakdown/ disrupted family life, and problematic parenting emanating from the deficit in parenting capacity (Phoenix 2012, p.8; Phoenix 2002, p.353). UK Policy and Legislative Framework The UK recognizes the role that human trafficking plays in fuelling sexual exploitation, and has instituted trafficking offences for sexual exploitation established under section 57-60 of the Sexual offences Act 2003. The first section of the Act covers a broad range of offences relating to sexual exploitation/prostitution, trafficking and sexual grooming, plus the updated basic sexual offences such as rape (O’ Connell 2011, p.459; Pearce 2006, p.2). The Children Act 1989 avails a comprehensive framework for addressing care and protection of children within the UK (Chase and Statham 2005, p.25; Lalor 2010, p.59). Policy initiatives on child and youth sex exploitation under New Labour government The new guidance unveiled during the New Labour Government (1997-2010) directed at aiding police, social workers, teachers, and health works to rise to the distinct challenge of highlighting children at risk via sexual exploitation, adopting strategies to protect both children and young people, and taking action against the spotlighted perpetrators. The core objectives of the policies launched by the New Labour Government centres on establishing local prevention strategies, highlighting those susceptible to sexual exploitation, taking action to protect and foster the welfare of certain children and young people, and taking action against persons considered of abusing and exploiting children and young people (Yates et al. 1991, p.545). The policy initiative undertaken by the New Labour Government takes an integrated approach embodying a tiered approach that is universal, targeted, and responsive. As such, sexual exploitation necessitates a three-pronged approach that responds to prevention, protection, and prosecution. The Every Child Matters Green Paper (HM Treasury, 2003) outlined New Labour Government plans to substitute the ACPCs with Local Safeguarding Children Boards. Working Together to Safeguard Children This guide spotlights the inter-agency working to protect and foster the welfare of children (Department of Health et al, 1999), which substituted previous guideline launched in 1991. The guidance introduced by the New Labour Government initiated the issues of organized abuse, child pornography and the internet, and children engaged in prostitution. ‘Supplementary Guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (Department of Health et al., 2000) availed a protocol for inter-agency approach: highlighting the challenge of child prostitution; safeguarding and supporting children; availing exit strategies for those children affected; and, successfully prosecuting subjects considered coercing and/or abusing children. National Plan for protecting Children and young people from sexual Exploitation National Plans of Action (NPAs) can be regarded as the first tangible indication of the New Labour Government commitment to terminating the sexual exploitation of children. The National Plan progressed as a result of the UK government’s participation within the pioneer conference (and subsequently) international conference in Stockholm centring on the Commercial sexual exploitation of children. The policy yielded to the publication of the National Plan for Safeguarding Children from Commercial Exploitation (2003-05). The National Guidance draws from the following: Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) policy, strategy and operational guidelines for responding to exploitation and abuse through prostitution (2004); Home Office’s Paying the Price detailing a coordinated prostitution strategy 2006 that is to be revised by the Coalition Government; Department for children schools and families’ guidance safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation, supplementary guidance to Working Together to Safeguard Children (2009); and, Human trafficking: the government’s strategy (2011) (policy under the Coalition Government). Altering attitudes is a central element of the strategies and the policies move towards preventative work, which is critical in guaranteeing that individuals are not sexually exploited at the start. The action plan accompanying the strategies mirrors the shifting priorities five years on and derives from an increasing comprehension of this sphere of work such as human trafficking and sexual exploitation, highlighting prosecuting coercive adults and confronting demand as per the new Sexual Offences Act offence. The overall endeavour of the strategies centres on highlighting the problem areas to guarantee that there is a targeted and focused response; instituting routes and aid children and adults out the sexual exploitation and prostitution; responding to the demand for sexual services and highlight those overseeing and profiting from sexual exploitation, as well as those forcing children in the sexual exploitation, and prosecuting where suitable; and, safeguarding children and adults from the sexual exploitation and minimize the risk of sexual exploitation. By 2007, majority of the people were aware of child sexual exploitation and awareness was mounting; however, the level of the problem and the manner in which the victims were targeted was equally becoming clearer. At both the national and local level, it was apparent that professionals were not adequately skilled at recognizing and responding to cases of child sexual exploitation. The formation of sexual exploitation working groups (SEWH) has been at the critical in gathering and responding to cases of child sexual exploitation. Similarly, the formation of sexual exploitation steering group seeks to avail guidance and direction to the working on issues related sexual exploitation of children and young people and reporting its findings of its surveys to the boards and coming up with recommendations for enhancements. 2008 The consultation document yielded to the publication of definition of child sexual exploitation, and recommend protocols necessary for working with young people and children. His yielded to the establishment of multi-agency child sexual exploitation protocols; nevertheless, the impact of the protocols has remained unknown owing to lack of arrangements instituted to support or monitor that manner in which they were utilized by local agencies. One of the prominent weaknesses that can be highlighted to this effect (especially within the local safeguarding response to young people at risk of exploitation) relates to uncoordinated multi-agency working. The difficulties identified at the time encompassed: lack of specific assessment tools (which meant that behaviours relating to sexual exploitation perceived as problematic, and mainly wilful on the part of the victim); older children perceived to possess the capacity to come up with their own decisions and not perceived to be predisposed to harm as younger children; and, professional focus hinges on the perceived capability of parents to manage the child’s behaviour, instead of the child’s susceptibility to abuse outside the confines of home. 2009 At a tactical level, the spotlight of suspected perpetrators of sexual started to intensify in which the local authority licensing department availed crucial intelligence to the authorities to ensure that the alleged perpetrators’ activities could be disrupted. Nevertheless, progress in instituting specialist sexual exploitation team has continued to be slow with recruitment and staffing issues continuing to take centre stage. Despite the setbacks, the work has generated multi-agency information sharing protocols directed at equipping teams with essential knowledge relating to intelligence systems and record keeping. Moreover, in 2009, the government published ‘safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation: Supplementary guidance to working together to safeguard children’ a guidance that availed local safeguarding children boards and their partners with a powerful framework instituting strategic and frontline responses to child sexual exploitation. Most importantly, the guidance altered the language of what was initially been referred to a ‘child prostitution’ to ‘sexual abuse’ and ‘exploitation.’ The efficacy of policy initiatives on child and youth sexual exploitation developed under New Labour government ‘Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation’ represents a policy framework prepared by the Department for children, schools, and families outlining ways of working together to protect children. The document is supplementary to ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ (HM Government, 2006). Although, there has been numerous and welcome enhancements in services for children and families, it is evident that the goal of protecting children and young people from sexual exploitation (harm) and neglect are increasingly becoming challenging. The policy frameworks have overseen the implementation of pre-emptive measures to safeguard the manifestation of child sexual exploitation in the first place, as well as guaranteeing the protection of susceptible children, recovery, rehabilitation, and reintegration of the victims (Forrester 2009, p.207). Despite the launch of the policy initiatives by the New Labour Government, overall, there has been a lack of awareness on issues centring on child and young people sexual exploitation across agencies. The policies have not sufficiently addressed the risk factors for child and young people sexual exploitation as part of the appraisal process within the bulk of the local authorities. There is also evidence relating to the absence of formal monitoring processes (Chase and Statham 2005, p.25). Similarly, there is limited knowledge of, or uncertainty regarding the existence of local authority Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) protocols, and the related responsibilities under the Department of Health based on the New Labour Government Supplementary safeguarding children engaged in prostitution guidance 2000. Moreover, there is the absence of consistent, systematic approach adapted to multi-agency working on issues regarding child sexual exploitation. The previous policies have not sufficiently addressed the risk factors for child and young people sexual exploitation as part of the appraisal process within the bulk of the local authorities. There is also evidence relating to the absence of formal monitoring processes. The failure of policies to effectively and efficiently attain their objectives has been occasioned by failure of the organizations and individuals to work in liaison to protect and foster children and young peoples welfare, especially with regard to safeguard from sexual exploitation (Clutton and Coles 2007, p.6). Despite the efforts, there is the absence of coordination of between policy directed at improving community safety within gang-infested neighbourhoods and policy directed at protecting children and young people from sexual exploitation. The local safeguarding children boards rarely highlight or work in tandem with young people and children experiencing sexual exploitation within gang-affected areas. Hence, to this extent, the development of regional programmes financed by the UK Government’s ‘Focussed Gang Project’ can be highlighted as uneven and their outcome uneven. The DCSF (2009) Guidance for ‘Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation’ highlights the urge to back young people and children who may be predisposed to harm of gang activity; nevertheless, issues regarding how to safeguard children and young people from sexual exploitation within gang-affected areas are yet to be explored (Forrester 2009, p.206). Future developments under the Coalition government In May 2010, the Coalition Government came into place subsequent to the UK general elections. In June 2010, the Coalition Government commissioned Professional Eileen Munro to institute a review to enhance child protection. Moreover, several white paper published that were pertinent for the board and for individual agencies. These encompassed altering arrangements for commissioning within the NHS plans to eliminate police authorities and changes to the function and role of children’s Trusts. At the local level, in June 2010 Ofsted scrutinized the local authority’s safeguarding and looked after children services. The appointment of Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) was pertinent in acting as a sole contact for all charges that a person who work with children had harmed, or would possibly harm a child. 2011 In January 2011, Barnardo’s published ‘puppet on a string: the urgent need to cut children free from sexual exploitation’ which acknowledged that current high-profile cases had meant that child protection had been strongly focused on babies experiencing abuse, and neglect at the hands of their carers, parents, and relatives within the family home (Barnardos 2011, par.2). The report established that despite fresh guideline national guidance within a majority of local authorities, where child sexual exploitation was not highlighted as a mainstream child protection issue. The reports urged the secretary of state of education to be at the forefront in guaranteeing a fundamental shift in practice, policy, and service delivery within England. Shortly afterwards, CEOP announced its intent to undertake a thematic appraisal of the phenomenon labelled as ‘localized grooming’ subsequent to the prosecutions of adult males for grooming and sexual exploitation of children within varying towns and cities within the UK. The Coalition Government has continued to explore new ways of curtailing child and young people sexual exploitation. In 2011, information and awareness increasing activities undertaken out at the local level such as mosques shaped multi-agency child exploitation strategic group with a police lead and a considerable focus on managing communications with the media and local communities as interest within the group heightened within the wider public. In May 2011, the Munro review centring on child protection was published; however, the review did not explicitly respond to the issues of child sexual exploitation. At the same year, CEOP published a report titled ‘out of mind, out of sight’ whose findings derived from the thematic assessment undertaken earlier in the year. Nevertheless, the report admitted that the data considerably weighted towards the comparatively limited number of areas availing a comprehensive response. In November 2011, the national development and the publication of the Association of the Chief Police Officers titled ‘strategy for policing prostitution and sexual exploitation’ validated that in the case of children and young people, the focus centres on safeguarding the young person, as well as on the proactive disruption and prosecution of the abusers. The national action plan confronts child sexual exploitation and detail actions by the government and a collection of national and local partners to safeguard children from this mode of child abuse. The action plan perceives sexual exploitation from the viewpoint of the child abuse. The action plan highlights areas in which extra effort needed and outlines certain actions that the Coalition Government, local agencies and voluntary and community sector partners should adopt. The grooming model appreciates that child sexual exploitation takes numerous forms and offenders operate with diverse ways, from an individual case of grooming to cases of severe and organized child abuse. The grooming model presumes that it is morally wrong for children to be engaged in a relationship for the pursuit of economic exchange. This draws from the discourse on childhood that details that children are passive, dependent, innocent, and asexual (Matthews and Limb 1998, p.66). This approach is pertinent as it addresses stigma, changes the focus to incorporate function of third party (blaming the abuser instead of the victim), stimulating sympathy and empathy, and can be readily translated through the media. Conclusion Child sexual abuse (CA), child sexual exploitation (CSE)/ commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) have grown to affect tens of millions of children worldwide. The experience derived in the UK recognizes the complexities in guaranteeing that sexually exploited young people and children derive suitable and consistent support. Based on the fact that a majority of the policies directed at safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation have not being effective, it is possible that future action plans may not fully deliver their promise. Effective practice in addressing child sexual exploitation is located with the present child protection procedures. Ending sexual exploitation demands implementation of a co-ordinated multi-agency response. Any policy affecting children and young people should give room for clients’ participation, whereby children and young people should be consulted in decisions that affect them in any way. References List Barnardos (2011). Puppet on a String: The Urgent Need to Cut Children Free from Sexual Exploitation, Ilford: Barnardos. Accessed 25 May 2013 from: http://www.barnardos.org.uk/ctf_puppetonastring_report_final.pdf Chase, E. & Statham, J. (2005). Commercial and sexual exploitation of children and young people in the UK-A review, Child Abuse Review 14 (1), pp.4-25. Clutton, S. & Coles, J. (2007). Sexual exploitation risk assessment framework: A pilot study, Ilford: Barnardo’s. pp.6. Davidson, J. O. (2005). Children in the global sex trade. Cambridge, Polity. Pp.25 Forrester, D. (2009). Is the care system failing children?, The Political Quarterly 79 (2), pp.206-211. Jago, S. et al. (2011). What’s going on to Safeguard Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation? Bedford: University of Bedford [Online] Accessed 25 May 2013 from: http://www.beds.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/121873/wgoreport2011-121011.pdf Lalor, K. (2010). Child sexual abuse, links to later sexual exploitation/high risk sexual behavior, and prevention/treatment programs, Trauma Violence Abuse 11 (4), pp.159-177. Matthews, H. & Limb, M. (1998). The right to say: The development of youth councils/forums within the UK, Area 30 (1), pp.66-78. Melrose, M. (2010). What’s love got to do with it? Theorising young people’s involvement in prostitution, Youth and Policy, No. 104. O’ Connell, D. J. (2011). Moving children? Child trafficking, child migration and child rights, Critical Social Policy 31 (3), pp.454-477. Pearce, J. (2006). Safeguarding young people from sexual exploitation and from being trafficked: tensions within contemporary policy and practice, Youth and Policy 104, pp.1-11. Phoenix, J. (2002). In the Name of Protection: Youth Prostitution Policy Reforms in England and Wales, Critical Social Policy 22 (2), pp.353-375. Phoenix, J. (2012). Out of place: The policing and criminalisation of sexually exploited girls and young women, London, The Howard League for Penal Reform. Pp.8. Scott, S. & Harper, Z. (2006). Meeting the needs of sexually exploited young people: the challenge of conducting policy relevant research, Child Abuse Review 15, pp.313-325. UNICEF (2009). The state of the worlds children: celebrating 20 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, New York, Unicef. Pp.89. Yates, G., et al. (1991). A risk profile comparison of homeless youth involved in prostitution and homeless youth not involved, J Adolesc Health 12, pp.545-548. Read More