Complex issues in supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation: Practitioner briefing

Claire Soares and Claire Cody

Our research highlighted a number of issues that require careful thought and consideration when supporting the participation of young survivors in decision-making processes or activities that seek to address the sexual abuse and exploitation of other young people. Four areas that were particularly notable were:

• the potential for triggering

• feelings of anger and frustration

• public identity disclosure

• compensating young survivors for their time and contributions

We have produced this briefing to share what we found out about these complex issues – and to highlight that young people and professionals can have different views about them.