Sophie King-Hill
The Young People's Sexual Behaviour Mapping Tool: A Participatory Framework for Understanding and Responding to Adolscent Sexual Behaviours
Workshop Abstract
Like in many other countries, the UK police recorded a significant increase, with over 7,000 ‘sexual communication with a child’ offences in the year 2023/2024; an 89% increase since the offence first came into force in 2017/2018 (NSPCC).
This rapidly evolving landscape presents challenges for practitioners, which can expose children to further harm. Research, resources and policy have been slow to respond. This workshop aims to explore existing policy and practice and consider how we can develop a more effective response.
Technology assisted child sexual abuse has been positioned as separate and ‘other’ to the offline word, alongside this the narrative and language used to discuss the topic has resulted in a culture of victim blaming. Contributing to inappropriate and inadequate responses for children. Early messaging and reaction to the phenomena of technology assisted child sexual abuse was to view this as a victimless crime, but also a continuation of the detrimental narrative of stranger danger - purported to support keeping children safe in the 1980s and 1990s; this proved to be misleading and untrue.
Research and practice insights indicate the need to focus on the young person’s networks when considering technology assisted child sexual abuse. As highlighted by the CSA centre ‘Many adults who commit these offences are known to their victims as family members, friends, acquaintances or figures of authority’ (Brown 2023). We must think the unthinkable – if we want to protect children, we need to consider more thoughtfully who it is that is most likely to cause harm. We must also better equip ourselves with knowledge and skills to inform our response.
This workshop will include a presentation, interactive activities; including a case study and discussion, which will enable delegates to consider practice in a safe and supported environment.
About the Speaker
Dr Sophie King-Hill is an Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham's Health Services Management Centre. She is also Head of Equity, Diversity and Belonging for the School of Social Policy and Society.
She specialises in sexual behaviours and assessment in children and young people, sibling sexual behaviour and abuse, masculinities and relationships and sex education. Her cross sector work emphasises youth voice, co-design approaches and the translation of research intopractice and policy. She is based in Birmingham, England.