Resources

Posted: Mon Oct, 2016

 

Guides, tools and activities

Seeing things from both sides: A comic to help young people and professionals understand each other’s views about young survivors’ participation in efforts to address child sexual abuse and exploitation

Claire Cody and Claire Soares

This comic is intended for both young people and professionals. The perspectives of both groups are explored through a series of four specific themes that were identified in our research as particularly complex areas associated with young people’s participation in this context.

As readers move through these themes, we hope to spark discussion between and amongst young people and professionals to help them understand each other’s perspectives, needs and concerns when creating safe spaces for young survivors to be heard. We hope to highlight that a consideration of different views can help to support meaningful participation opportunities and outcomes.

Creating a safe space: Ideas for the development of participatory group work to address sexual violence with young people

Camille Warrington

This toolkit attempts to capture the International Centre's, and partners', learning about promoting safety and managing risk when undertaking group work to address sexual violence with young people. We consider it a working document and recognise that it will benefit from revision and refinement in the future. However, we are sharing this resource to both document elements of the Our Voices Too project and to support wider learning and feedback on this topic.

Children and Young People's Participation in Research to address sexual violence: Ethical working paper

Camille Warrington

This document outlines the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC)'s commitment to children and young people’s participation, explaining the SYLRC's underlying principles and ethical framework for participatory research with young people. A checklist is also available to support project planning for developing participatory practice and can be applied to any participatory project or initiative with children and young people.

The paper and its contents are open and subject to on-going review as part of our commitment to reflective practice.

Dice Activity

This activity helps young people to talk about sensitive topics by creating case studies of young people’s journeys following sexual abuse through a ‘third person’ lens. Within this activity, participants are asked to draw on their experiences to consider how a fictional child or young person might experience support for mental health and emotional well-being needs following sexual abuse. Creating an initial medium for engagement that is removed from their personal experiences, it offers a gentler route in for participants to engage in personal reflection about these sensitive and potentially traumatic issues should they wish to do so. 

Life-skills, Leadership and Limitless Potential (LLLP) 12-session programme and worksheets

Life-skills, Leadership and Limitless Potential (LLLP) 12-session programme and worksheets

Abi Billinghurst

The document contains step-by-step guidance and methodological notes for a 3-day youth facilitator training and 12-session life skills and leadership programme for young people who have experienced or are at risk of experiencing sexual violence.

This toolkit provides the necessary resources for youth facilitators to deliver together with adult facilitators:

• a 3-day training programme for youth and adult facilitators; and
• a 12-session programme on life-skills and leadership for young people who have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence.

Both programmes aim to strengthen participatory practice amongst service providers and increase young people’s participation.

Access the resource at Childhub

Podcast series

Episode 14: Learning from the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project

Silvie Bovarnick

In this episode Silvie Bovarnick from the International Centre at the University of Bedfordshire shares some of the learning from the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project. This episode looks specifically at risks and benefits of involving young people with lived experience in participatory advocacy on sexual violence against children. 14 minutes.

Episode 12: Introducing section 4 of the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project Toolkit on 'Participatory Advocacy'

Helen Veitch

In this final podcast exploring the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project Toolkit, Helen Veitch, Oak Fellow at the International Centre, shares details of the final section of the toolkit which explored participatory advocacy with the Youth Advocates. Helen talks about how the toolkit guided the Youth Advocates through the process of coming up with an advocacy issue and planning their activities.12 minutes

Episode 11: Introducing section 3 of the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project Toolkit on 'Children's Rights and Participation'

Delphine Peace

In this podcast, Delphine Peace from the International Centre shares an overview of section three of the toolkit designed for the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project. Delphine reflects on some of the key activities and exercises included in this section and shares some feedback from those involved in delivering the sessions and participating in them. 12 minutes

Episode 10: Introducing section 2 of the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project Toolkit on 'Exploring Sexual Violence'

Delphine Peace

In this podcast, Delphine Peace from the International Centre shares why a section of the toolkit was focused on exploring sexual violence with the Youth Advocates. Delphine outlines some of the key activities and concepts included in this section and shares some feedback on these exercises from the facilitators and Youth Advocates involved in the project. 15 minutes

Episode 9: Introducing section 1 of the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project Toolkit on 'Creating Safe Spaces'

Dr Camille Warrington

In this podcast, Dr Camille Warrington from the International Centre talks through why it was important to include sessions aimed at creating a 'safe space' in a group setting with the youth advocates as part of the 'Our Voices Too' Youth Advocacy Project. Camille talks through this section explaining some of the activities outlined in the toolkit and shares feedback from those involved in the project. 18 minutes

Episode 8: Can children and young people ‘do research’ on sexual violence?

Silvie Bovarnick

Dr Silvie Bovarnick, Research Fellow at the International Centre, shares some key findings from the Being Heard report, a review of the international evidence on youth participatory research on sexual violence against children. We focus in particular on a question that researchers and organisations working with young people often grapple with: can vulnerable young people, including those who have been affected by sexual violence, actually 'do research' on such a sensitive topic? 12 minutes

Episode 7: What does participation in CSE services look like?

Isabelle Brodie

Dr Isabelle Brodie, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre, shares findings from a scoping review of the literature she conducted with colleagues from the International Centre on the participation of young people in child sexual exploitation (CSE) services. The review was part of the Alexi Project and can be accessed here. Isabelle speaks about the different meanings of participation, what conditions need to be in place in order to make participative working possible and effective, and shares young people and professionals' views on participation in CSE services; what they value and what they find challenging. 30 minutes.

Episode 6: Embedding participation as a model of practice

Abi Billinghurst

Abi Billinghurst is the founder and director of Abianda, a social enterprise that works with young women affected by gangs. In this episode, Abi explains how participation is central to the work of Abianda and shares her expertise on embedding participation as a model of practice in various professional cultures. We also talk about how Abianda’s participatory methods are part of a wider contextual approach to working with young people, which acknowledges and addresses the wider contexts of young peoples’ experiences. 

Abi also wrote all the tools for the LEAP Against Sexual Violence project which can be accessed on the Childhub website30 minutes.

Episode 5: How do we strengthen participatory practice with children and young people affected by sexual violence? Key learning from the LEAP Against Sexual Violence project

Kate D'Arcy

In this episode Dr Kate D’Arcy, Senior Research Fellow at the International Centre, shares with us some of the key learning from the LEAP Against Sexual Violence project, which supports children and young people affected by sexual violence by strengthening and facilitating participatory practice in the UK and in three European countries.12 minutes.

Episode 4: What is popular education and how can these techniques be helpful in working with young people affected by sexual violence?

Lindsay Starbuck

In this episode Lindsay Starbuck, Youth Participation Coordinator at the Association for Young People's Health (AYPH) talks about popular education and how certain techniques can be applied when working with young people affected by sexual violence. Lindsay also explores things to think through when facilitating this type of work.19 minutes.

Episode 2: What is participatory engagement?

Camille Warrington

In this episode Dr Camille Warrington introduces the idea of participatory engagement and explores the different ways engagement can occur and the similar elements or principles that are present in participatory approaches.16 minutes.

Webinars and online events

Engaging young survivors in participatory initiatives: What are we learning?

Engaging young survivors in participatory initiatives: What are we learning?

The theme for this years’ European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse is ‘Learning from victims and survivors of childhood sexual violence to inspire policy change’.

This is an opportunity to highlight the importance of engaging with, and learning from, victims and survivors.

To mark this day, the Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire will be hosting an online event to share some new resources we have developed that are relevant to this theme.

These resources are informed by an international research study exploring the potential outcomes associated with the participation of young survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. We will share some of the key findings and outputs from the study, including a series of practitioner briefings and our comic, ‘Seeing Things From Both Sides’.


For any questions, please contact: claire.cody@beds.ac.uk

Please note there are limited spaces available.

REGISTER HERE

The webinar is taking place on Friday 17th November 2023 from 10 - 10:45am (GMT).

Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, annual (online) event: Looking into the future of participatory research

Centre for Social Justice and Community Action, annual (online) event: Looking into the future of participatory research

The SYLRC are pleased to be part of this event hosted by the Centre for Social Justice and Community Action (CSJCA) at Durham University, exploring participatory research. A note from the hosts:

"Participatory research approaches draw on various traditions but often share the ethos of creating useful knowledge for positive change with people and through democratic processes. Centre for Social Justice and Community Action (CSJCA) at Durham University has been promoting participatory research at the university, national and international levels for more than 12 years, and is seeking to explore the future of participatory research with community and academic researchers in our annual events.

Our Centre is very keen to bring together participatory researchers at Durham University and in the community to explore challenging issues in collaborative and co-produced research.

Following the keynote speech of Prof. Michelle Fine, there will be parallel interactive workshops to explore innovations in Participatory Research in different disciplines, including a panel co-facilitated by the SYLRC's Young Researchers' Advisory Panel."

If you are curious to find out, come join the annual event of the Centre for Social Justice and Action on 29 November 2022, 12-3 PM via Zoom!"

For more information and to register, click here.

Webinar: Do legally established ages of consent to sexual activity protect or penalise children?

Webinar: Do legally established ages of consent to sexual activity protect or penalise children?

The Our Voices University Network (OVUN) held a webinar on 14th December 2022, 1 - 2pm GMT to explore the complexities around legally established minimum ages of consent to sexual activity as experienced by young people and those representing them.

Brief presentations addressed:

  • Is the legal age of consent to sexual activity created to protect children against sexual abuse and exploitation, or to restrain children’s sexual autonomy?
  • Are laws based on the dominant moral codes or on informed evidence of child development and child welfare?
  • Do laws help or hinder those implementing the law in accounting for young people’s different developmental stages, and in balancing rights to protection and sexual autonomy?

To see the event flyer click here

Online interactive webinar: what it's like working with - and being part of - youth advisory groups in the context of research focussing on adolescent health, gender and violence

Online interactive webinar: what it's like working with - and being part of - youth advisory groups in the context of research focussing on adolescent health, gender and violence

The Our Voices University Network (OVUN) invite you to join an online interactive workshop on 29th September 2 – 3:30 pm UK time which is all about youth advisory groups.

This workshop will bring together teams from:

Workshop participants will get to hear the perspectives of both youth advisors and the academic researchers they work with, as each ‘team’ gives a short presentation focused on a key challenge they have experienced from collaborating on research projects that explore adolescent health and wellbeing. For more information and to register, click here

School as part of community response to child sexual abuse webinar

School as part of community response to child sexual abuse webinar

EUPHA INJ, OVUN, WONCA Europe come together during European Public Health Week to discuss educational settings and community responses in relation to child sexual abuse, and in the broader theme of building resilient health systems. The event takes place on 20th May 2022 at 3pm CEST. For more information click here

Facilitating youth participatory action research with young survivors of trafficking and sexual violence in Albania

Silvie Bovarnick

This webinar shares learning from ‘Small Steps Can Make a Big Difference’ - a collaborative pilot project being undertaken by the Safer Young Lives Research Centre (SYLRC) at the University of Bedfordshire and NGO Different and Equal.

This youth participatory action research (YPAR) project is exploring young people’s perspectives in relation to seeking justice and support in the aftermath of sexual violence and exploitation in Albania.

In this webinar Dr. Silvie Bovarnick, Research Fellow at the SYLRC and Mariana Meshi, Director at Different and Equal share emerging learning from this innovative project.

Ethical considerations for universities working with children challenging sexual violence against children

Jenny Pearce

A key topic of interest that emerged from scoping undertaken as part of the development of the University Network Children Challenging Sexual Violence (CCSV) is the need for standardised ethical guidance for doing participatory research with children and young people on sexual violence against children. 

In this webinar, members of the network, including Jenny Pearce, Elisabetta Biffi, Camille Warrington and Catherine Maternowska, share thoughts and examples from their practice to explore how existing guidance, which is predominantly informed by Western-centric protocols, may need developing for participatory research embracing issues facing low and middle income countries. 

Emerging themes from the 'Our Voices Too' Youth Advocacy Project

Claire Cody and Silvie Borvarnick

This webinar was hosted on the 18th November, 2019 to mark the European Day on the Protection of Children Against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse. In the webinar Claire Cody and Silvie Bovarnick share findings from the Our Voices Too Youth Advocacy Project. As part of this project, the IC is working in partnership with three national NGOs in Europe: Different & Equal in Albania; the National Center for Child Abuse Prevention (NCCAP) in Moldova and ATINA in Serbia.

Each organisation is working together with young people to implement participatory advocacy activities in their respective countries. The IC worked with the partner organisations to design a toolkit for adult facilitators from these three NGOs to help them support young people (Youth Advocates), who are current and former service users, to design and plan an advocacy campaign on sexual violence against children. Throughout the process a team of researchers at the IC have been collecting data to capture the learning from this project.


Being Heard webinar: Involving children and young people in participatory research on sexual violence - challenges and approaches

In collaboration with the  International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking’ (IC), University of Bedfordshire and the What Works to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls programme, the SVRI hosted a joint webinar to share emerging findings from a scoping which was undertaken to review international evidence on youth engagement in participatory research on sexual violence.

In this webinar, Dr Silvie Bovarnick and Dr Helen Beckett from the ‘International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking’ at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK, discussed about why and how we should engage children and young people in participatory research on sexual violence. The aim of this session was to help participants to think about some of the practical, ethical and methodological issues associated with youth involvement in participatory research on sensitive issues. 

Working with children and young people affected by sexual violence in the UK

Kate D'Arcy

This webinar showcases a unique, EU-funded project: The LEAP Project: Supporting children and young people affected by sexual violence in Europe by strengthening and facilitating participatory practice. The webinar shares learning from a four-day course on improving participatory practice for those working with young people affected by sexual violence.

Young people's views on their role in sexual violence prevention efforts

Young people's views on their role in sexual violence prevention efforts

Claire Cody

To mark the first European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse, this webinar shared young people's views on preventing sexual violence. Findings from a series of consultations with children and young people affected by sexual violence in Albania, Bulgaria and England are explored.

Research and consultation reports

The Our Voices III Study: Methodology paper

Claire Soares and Claire Cody

We have developed this paper to summarise the study’s methodology, including data collection methods used, sample, and approach to analysis. This paper accompanies a series of briefing papers, and other outputs, that have been developed based on the findings from this study.

Thinking about ‘readiness’ and risk assessment processes when supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation: Practitioner briefing

Claire Cody and Claire Soares

We asked participants to comment on some of the logistical and practical considerations surrounding the participation of young survivors, particularly in group-based activities.

One area we were interested in was the concept of ‘readiness’ – when and who decides when a young survivor may be ‘ready’ to be engaged in particular types of initiatives and activities, such as joining an advisory group or contributing to resource or project development.

We also wanted to understand more about risk assessment processes, who was involved in these processes and how they were undertaken.

We have produced this briefing to convey what participants shared in response to this topic.

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.

Group work as a mechanism for the collective participation of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation: Practitioner briefing

Claire Cody and Claire Soares

We have produced this briefing to share what our panel of experts felt were some of the potential positive outcomes for young survivors who engage in collective, group-based participation. While there was agreement that participatory group work could support a number of positive outcomes, it was also highlighted that this very much depended on the focus, aims, content and activities included in these sessions. Often there is potential for both positive and negative outcomes to co-exist.

Facilitators are key to moderating the potential outcomes for young survivors engaged in participatory group work. Facilitators being equipped with the right skills, experience and knowledge is central to supporting positive outcomes.

Factors that influence outcomes when supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation: Practitioner briefing

Claire Cody and Claire Soares

The findings from this study illustrated that there are many factors to consider that may influence and determine the outcomes associated with the participation of young survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Five key messages were identified:

  • Good quality ethical standards are critical
  • Young people must be supported to develop the knowledge and skills they need to engage and influence
  • Everyone is an individual
  • Facilitators and other professionals involved in participatory projects and activities have a central role to play in ensuring standards are maintained and risks are mitigated
  • Structural barriers at various levels may limit the influence of young survivors’ participation

Being Heard: Promoting children and young people's involvement in participatory research on sexual violence

Silvie Bovarnick with Delphine Peace, Camille Warrington and Jenny Pearce

This report shares findings from an international scoping review conducted by the International Centre on the engagement of children and young people in participatory research on sexual violence. The report discusses a range of ethical and practical challenges of involving vulnerable children and young people in participatory research on sensitive issues and draws out key considerations for research practice.

Literature review: What do we know about life skills and leadership training for vulnerable children and young people?

Kate D'Arcy

This review formed part of the Life Skills, Leadership and Limitless Potential project (LEAP).The aims of this literature review were to; review the global literature on life skills and leadership initiatives for vulnerable and/or hard to reach children and young people, including relevant projects that aim to prevent  sexual violence and take a participatory or peer-led approach within their work;  collate existing information about the value of life skills and leadership projects and  programmes in order to inform the plans for participatory and creative workshops to develop the LEAP  toolkit and; provide case studies  illustrating what we know about life skills and leadership training for vulnerable children and young people.

Presentations

Event reports

Report from the follow on meeting from the Cumberland Colloquium on young people, sexual violence, ethics and participation

Claire Cody

This report provides a summary of a meeting that was organised following the Cumberland Colloquium. With funding from the Council of Europe, the meeting brought together academics from the Universities of Bedfordshire, Queen’s, Sussex and the New Bulgarian University, along with practitionersworking directly with young people affected by sexual violence, and representatives from International NGO’s including Plan International, Save the Children and Terre des Hommes. Together 23 participants attended the meeting bringing with them experiences of working with young people across the UK, Europe and further afield.

Young people affected by sexual violence as change makers in prevention efforts: what are the opportunities and what are the risks

Claire Cody

This report provides a summary of a colloquium held at Cumberland Lodge in September 2015. The aim of the event was to provide a space to think about the risks and responsibilities, and general ethical dilemmas, which can arise when working in a participatory way with young people affected by sexual violence. The day brought together speakers and delegates with a wealth of experience of working with young people affected by sexual violence from across the UK, Europe and beyond. Participants came from both academia and practice.

Report from the first meeting of the Reference and Dissemination Group for Our Voices

Claire Cody

This report summarises the meeting held in 2014 which brought together members of the ‘Our Voices’ Reference and Dissemination Group and Advisory Group alongside country project partners and youth associates from the International Centre.

The objectives of this first meeting were to:

  • Share updates from the ‘Our Voices’ project
  • Hear from other organisations to understand what work is happening on sexual violence prevention
  • Learn how others are involving young people in sexual violence prevention efforts

Films

AYPH Be Healthy

Be Healthy Health Advocates

The Health Advocates in the AYPH Be Healthy Project created this animated film to highlight some of the issues they identified as a group. It consists of three short stories exploring three different stages of dealing with problems:

  • how difficult it is to recognise that you have a problem
  • the barriers young people can face when accessing help and
  • some of the issues young people experience when they do use services.

Inspired by the work of The Paper Cinema the characters were created using nothing but card, tracing paper, pencil and marker pens. The animation was filmed live and then all the Health Advocates got together in a London recording studio to record the dialog and voice over.

Love, sex, conflict

Jigsaw 4U, Alford House, NSPCC, London

A film by a group of young people from different areas in London shot over two weeks in August 2013. Love, Sex, Conflict is their response to issues associated with young women and men, gangs, sex and relationships.

Just a link?

City United and St George’s Hub Birmingham

A film by a group of young women from City United and St George's Hub shot over five days in August 2012. It is part of their response to issues associated with young women, gangs, sex and relationships.

Misunderstood

Enthusiasm, Derby

The following short film shows young men and their youth worker engaged in the Enthusiasm project, an initiative for young people in gang-associated areas. It presents their ideas for supporting other young men to leave gangs.

I define me

Manchester Active Voices/Community Change Foundation

A film by young women from Manchester Active Voices shot over five days in October 2012. I Define Me shares their views and experiences of growing up in gang-affected areas.

Newsletters

OVUN Newsletter August 2022

Latest news, updates and opportunities from the Our Voices University Network: Challenging sexual violence against children and youth (OVUN)

OVUN Newsletter March 2022

Latest news, updates and opportunities from the Our Voices University Network: Challenging sexual violence against children and youth (OVUN)

OVUN Newsletter August 2021

Latest news, updates and opportunities from the Our Voices University Network: Challenging sexual violence against children and youth (OVUN)

OVUN Newsletter June 2021

Latest news, updates and opportunities from the Our Voices University Network: Challenging sexual violence against children and youth (OVUN)

OVUN Newsletter March 2021

Latest news, updates and opportunities from the Our Voices University Network: Challenging sexual violence against children and youth (OVUN)

Journal articles

Let’s talk about sexual violence: Involving young people in preventative peer education

Silvie Bovarnick, Kate D’Arcy


Book chapter in Beckett, H., and Pearce, J. (Eds.). (2017). Understanding and Responding to Child Sexual Exploitation. Taylor & Francis.

https://www.taylorfrancis.com/... 


This chapter explores the role of youth participation in sexual violence prevention. It builds on Cody’s (2015) work by introducing hitherto unpublished data from ‘Our Voices’, a pan-European initiative promoting youth participation in sexual violence prevention across Europe (for more information, see www.our-voices.org.uk). This is presented with reference to the existing evidence base around sexual violence prevention and participation.

Involving young people affected by sexual violence in efforts to prevent sexual violence in Europe: what is required?

Claire Cody & Kate D'Arcy


Child in Care Practice - Volume 30, November 2017, p.1-15


Abstract

This article draws attention to international evidence that highlights the value and challenges of promoting youth participation among and for young people affected by, or at risk of, sexual violence. The article draws on evidence from two pan-European projects that took place between 2013 and 2017 and aimed to give young people a voice in order to prevent sexual violence. The central argument of the article is that young people, particularly those directly affected by sexual violence, including those affected by child sexual exploitation, have an important role to play in shaping practice and policy which addresses sexual violence. However, participation work is complex and requires training, resources and support to enable practitioners to undertake this work with the necessary confidence and skills to safely, ethically and meaningfully engage young people. Involving young people affected by sexual violence is significant and goes beyond generic discourse regarding participation as there are specific risk factors associated with working with “marginalised” or “hard to engage” young people . We suggest that this evidence can inform international policy and practice. Organisations, and in turn State parties, need to properly resource such work and meet their obligations, which are outlined in European conventions.

Accessing this paper requires log in credentials. You can access it here

Utilising the arts to tackle child sexual exploitation

Claire Cody


Safer Communities, Vol. 14 Iss 1 pp. 47 - 55


Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to consider the potential use of creative, arts-based methods to address child sexual exploitation (CSE) through connecting with and supporting young people affected by CSE; and engaging the wider community through awareness-raising and education to help keep young people safe. The use of the arts in building understanding, promoting agency, educating and countering negative portrayals of those affected by CSE are also explored.

Design/methodology/approach – A literature review identified that there is currently a limited
evidence-base surrounding the use of arts in addressing the negative outcomes for young people
affected by CSE and promoting the inclusion and safety of young people in the community. To explore the potential use of the arts in engaging young people and the communities they inhabit, this paper draws from research with other “hard to engage” and stigmatised groups, and learning from efforts to tackle other sensitive and challenging issues that impact on communities.

Findings – The paper suggests that despite the relatively young evidence base concerning the role of creative, arts-based methods to tackle CSE, there is relevant transferable learning that suggests that there is potential in utilising the arts to help prevent CSE and promote community safety.
Research limitations/implications – There is a clear need to consider the ethical implications of this work and to further examine how the arts may be utilised to tackle CSE and bring about positive outcomes for both individuals and for the wider community.

Originality/value – The paper brings together bodies of literature from other fields to explore the potential use of creative arts-based methods to tackle a significant contemporary issue of community safety.

Keywords Engagement, Community, Arts, Creativity, Child sexual exploitation, Research

Paper type Literature review


Accessing this paper requires log in credentials. You can access it here

‘We have personal experience to share, it makes it real’: Young people's views on their role in sexual violence prevention efforts

Claire Cody


Children and Youth Services Review, Volume 79, August 2017, Pages 221–227


Abstract

Young people, particularly those affected by sexual violence, are rarely asked about their views on sexual violence prevention initiatives. Forty seven children and young people (aged between 11 and 25) from Albania, Bulgaria and England took part in a series of consultation workshops exploring sexual violence. This article outlines their views and recommendations in relation to the role of young people in prevention work. Young people are clear that they have a role to play when it comes to reaching and informing their peers. They are also aware of the risks of engagement and cognisant of the need for support and training. The consultation findings contribute to the limited evidence base surrounding young people's views on sexual violence prevention. The article illustrates the valuable insights and contributions that children and young people, particularly those affected by the issues, can make to the field. This calls for a shift in how we view and engage children and young people in shaping future sexual violence prevention strategies and projects


Accessing this paper requires log in credentials. Access it here.

Infographic

A Balancing Act: The participation of young survivors

Claire Cody and Claire Soares with Maria Stoian

This illustration summarises key messages from an international research study that explored the potential outcomes associated with the individual and collective participation of children and young people impacted by child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The findings illustrated that while there was consensus surrounding myriad potential benefits associated with the participation of young survivors, there were differing views and concerns surrounding the potential risks and tensions. This illustration seeks to convey that participation can lead to a number of outcomes and that these may be influenced by a range of different factors.

Read more about the study in the Research and Consultation Reports section of the website.

Participer Protege!

YRAP and Zuhura Plummer

YRAP members at the Safer Young Lives Research Centre designed an infographic with artist Zuhura Plummer to show how young people's participation in research and services can be protective at an individual level and for young people more widely.

Briefing

What can we do now to strengthen safe and meaningful opportunities for young survivors to inform and influence the international childhood sexual violence sector?

Claire Cody

Researchers from the Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire organised and facilitated two online workshops as part of the ‘Changing practice: prioritising participation in actions to address child sexual abuse project’.

The first of these brought together representatives from international organisations and international networks of NGOs working to address childhood sexual violence and related issues. The second workshop assembled representatives from funders and donor intermediaries supporting work on childhood sexual violence.

The workshops shared learning from recent research exploring the value of, and complexities involved in, supporting the participation of young survivors in developing and designing actions that effectively address child sexual abuse and exploitation.

The briefing summarises some of the key discussion points that were shared across the two workshops and suggests areas for further conversation. In sharing these reflections, we hope to help organisations and groups to reflect upon their own work and potential ways to strengthen and improve the ethical, meaningful and contextual involvement of young survivors in this field in the future.

Our Voices University Network: a briefing on our PhD student forum

Claire Soares and Claire Cody

The Our Voices University Network (OVUN) was established to facilitate links between academics around the world in order to develop and share knowledge about the prevention of and response to child sexual abuse and exploitation.

This briefing shares learning from the PhD student forum sessions that were held as part of OVUN. The briefing reflects what forum members have shared about:

• the tensions and challenges of doing doctoral research on child sexual abuse and exploitation (or related topics/other forms of harm)

• what they have valued about the forum

• what support needs they have which are not being met

It is hoped that the learning captured in this briefing will be of use to other PhD researchers and supervisors who are undertaking or supporting work in this field.

University Network on Children Challenging Sexual Violence: Third Briefing

Jenny Pearce

This third briefing paper summarises key points arising from the University Network's most recent webinar which explored ‘Ethical considerations for universities working with children challenging sexual violence against children’. This briefing also shares progress on the proposed University Framework and information on ' Get on the Map!' an effort to map active Network members.

University Network on Children Challenging Sexual Violence: Second Briefing

Catherine Maternowska, Delphine Peace and Jenny Pearce

This second briefing is based on our first international university network webinar, held in July 2019 with The End Violence Against Children Global Partnership. It provides a recap of presentations from speakers, key discussion points from the Q&A session with participants and signposts to resources. 

University Network on Children Challenging Sexual Violence: First Briefing

Delphine Peace and Jenny Pearce

This briefing paper summarises initial findings from a survey designed to map universities and organisations working on challenging sexual violence against children (SVAC). The survey informs the development of a new university network which will capture and promote participatory activities undertaken by universities around the world to challenge SVAC by supporting children to be co-determiners of research agendas, activities, and teaching and curriculum materials. 

Policy submission