Helen Beckett

Young people's self-reported experiences of sexual exploitation and sexual violence: a view from Northern Ireland

The issue of young peoples experiences of sexual exploitation and sexual violence has received increasing political and media attention within recent years. However, whilst many studies have identified this to be an emerging issue of concern, the collation of prevalence data on the extent of these issues is still very much in its infancy. In this article we report on the findings of a large-scale project on the sexual exploitation of young people, undertaken in Northern Ireland from 2009 to 2011. The article primarily explores young peoples self-reported experiences of sexual violence and exploitation, collated from their responses to a module of questions placed in the 2010 Young Life and Times Survey. The quantitative dataset from the survey covers both prevalence of sexually exploitative experiences and young peoples reports about the type of individuals perpetrating these incidents. This dataset is illustrated and contextualised with reference to the qualitative findings from interviews with young people and professionals conducted as part of the wider sexual exploitation study. The article concludes with a consideration of the implications of the findings, with particular reference to the need for further preventative work in this field.

Adolescents' experiences of the right to play and leisure in Northern Ireland

Under Article 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, every child under the age of 18 has the right to engage in age-appropriate play and leisure activities. Drawing on the qualitative findings of a wider review of childrens rights in Northern Ireland, this article examines the degree to which adolescents in Northern Ireland are currently able to enjoy this right. The data presented in the article are primarily based on the views of young people, as expressed in focus group discussions with their peers, although this is at times contextualised by the contributions of adult participants and the findings of an in-depth policy and literature review. The article argues that young peoples right to play and leisure is not currently adequately recognised within Northern Ireland, noting the impact of the increasing demonisation and marginalisation of youth upon both this and their accompanying right to protection. The article concludes with a consideration of the potential implications of the current failure to afford young people adequate and appropriate play and leisure opportunities, calling on the State party to urgently deliver on the commitments it made in ratifying the Convention.

Looked After Young People and CSE: A View from Northern Ireland

This chapter considers the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) with specific reference to looked after adolescents. Drawing on the findings of a large scale study undertaken in Northern Ireland (NI) the chapter explores the prevalence and nature of CSE amongst adolescents in care. The chapter argues that whilst there are significant levels of CSE within the adolescent looked after population, the heterogeneous nature of both young people’s individual biographies and their care experiences means that not all looked after young people experience similar levels of risk. Identifying disproportionate levels of risk within the residential care population, the second half of the chapter explores potential contributory factors to this and some important principles for responding to risk within this population. Highlighting the importance of a holistic approach to understanding risk and resilience, the chapter emphasises the need to move beyond a short-term, reactive response to concerns (that frequently centres on controlling or containing the behaviours of the young person) to a more holistic, integrated response (that addresses the protective, support and rehabilitative needs of the individual child and holds the perpetrator to account).