Providing support and therapy for victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the public mental health challenges arising in the field of child sexual exploitation (CSE) from the perspective of frontline professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

The methods included semi-structured face-to-face individual interviews (n=6) and focus groups (two groups with a total of eight participants = 8), all participants work with CSE-experienced young people.

Findings

Professionals report how they offer support and therapy to CSE-experienced young people. Findings are outlined in relation to support, therapeutic interventions, multi-agency working, what works and the challenges and issues faced in their professional roles.

Research limitations/implications

The paper reports briefly on a substantial amount of data. A further limitation is that there is a need to gather data directly from the perspective of young people.

Practical implications

The high quality of work undertaken and the need to further develop therapeutic work with the CSE-experienced young people emerges from the findings.

Social implications

CSE is a high-profile public health issue which attracts considerable public and political attention.

Originality/value

The data gathered reflect the contemporary views of frontline professionals in a challenging and complex field of practice.

Citation

Frost, N. (2019), "Providing support and therapy for victims and survivors of child sexual exploitation", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 38-45. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0051