The same but different? Exploring the links between gender, trauma, sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviours

Hallett, Sophie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7792-4453, Deerfield, Kat and Hudson, Kirsty ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6543-5449 2019. The same but different? Exploring the links between gender, trauma, sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviours. Child Abuse Review 28 (6) , pp. 442-454. 10.1002/car.2591

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Abstract

This article presents data on 1550 children and young people with experiences of child sexual exploitation or who are displaying harmful sexual behaviours (HSB). Data were collected from two recently merged services operating across Wales: one working with children and young people who are at risk of, or abused through, sexual exploitation; and the other providing assessment and intervention services for children and young people displaying HSB. Importantly, the research provided an opportunity for a comparative analysis of key demographic characteristics and abuse histories of two separate cohorts of children and young people. Clear differences exist across the two cohorts in terms of gender. However, our analysis revealed similar patterns in relation to their experiences of prior abuse, and the prevalence of a family history of domestic violence is near identical. We consider how these findings speak to a need to understand the role of gender, and to recognise potential gendered understandings and gendered trajectories of harm for children. Findings also indicate the importance of directing attention to the wellbeing needs of children and young people who have experienced trauma, regardless of the presenting issues of concern.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Publisher:	Wiley
ISSN:	0952-9136
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	24 May 2019
Date of Acceptance:	22 May 2019
Last Modified:	07 Nov 2023 06:37
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/122838

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