Child maltreatment: how can friends contribute to safety?

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the findings of a study of support received by 60 young adults who experienced sexual, physical or emotional abuse and neglect in childhood. It is focussed on the support provided by friends in particular, and draws out relevant learning for child sexual exploitation (CSE). Design/methodology/approach – In all, 60 young people completed a questionnaire, complemented by a two hour follow-up interview to explore experiences of formal and informal support in disclosing abuse. In total, 13 young people were recruited on the basis of their prior participation in a larger, associated study of child abuse and neglect, with the remainder recruited via open invitation. Findings – There is rich information in the interviews about the ways that friends provided support to participants. Friends provided practical, moral and emotional support. They intervened to keep their friends safe. They offered emotional “escape” and a conduit to adults who could help keep them safe. Importantly, friends recognised that participants were in distress even when they did not know the participants were being abused. Practical implications – The results highlight that friends have a crucial role to play in helping children to keep safe and to feel safe, provided that they are equipped with information and knowledge of how to respond and where to seek help. Originality/value – The paper is original in considering the role of friends within a community safety framework. In addition, the study sample is larger than other studies of its kind, and considers a wider variety of child maltreatment experiences than previous studies, making clear links to CSE.

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

“…These views align with those expressed by other young people affected by violence (Horwath et al, 2012;Barter et al, 2015) and support findings which suggests that during adolescence peers are very influential in young people's decision making (Stanley et al, 2015). Research shows that for young people, their peers are often an important source of support and information, and may be more influential than family members (Allnock, 2015;Barter et al, 2015). For example, a study on child maltreatment illustrated the different ways friends provided support for those who had experienced abuse.…”

“…For example, a study on child maltreatment illustrated the different ways friends provided support for those who had experienced abuse. Friends recognised when things were wrong; offered an emotional 'escape'; helped children seek support from adults; and provided emotional, moral and practical support (Allnock, 2015). In Barter et al's (2015) study across five countries in Europe, most young people responded that they chose to talk to their peers rather than adults about violence they were experiencing in their relationships.…”

Participatory Action Research: Confidentiality and Attitudes of Victimized Young People Unknown to Child Protection Agencies

“…This pattern is similar for other forms of sexual violence (Gallagher 2009;Allnock 2016). Additionally, although recent crime statistics show more cases going forward to the court stage, the rate of successful prosecutions is falling (Allnock 2015). For those cases that do progress through CJS, there are widespread systemic failures in prioritising the welfare of young people (Horvath et al 2014;Allnock 2015), often leading to further harm.…”

“…Additionally, although recent crime statistics show more cases going forward to the court stage, the rate of successful prosecutions is falling (Allnock 2015). For those cases that do progress through CJS, there are widespread systemic failures in prioritising the welfare of young people (Horvath et al 2014;Allnock 2015), often leading to further harm. Warrington et al (2017) state that statutory interventions experienced by young CSA survivors were nearly all described as damaging and presenting new difficulties for young survivors, including multiple fears and sometimes loss.…”

“…One potential conclusion to reach the following analysis of studies of child disclosure of CSA and agency responses is that young CSA survivors' needs for safety and justice in the United Kingdom are insufficiently addressed by child protection services (CPS) and criminal justice systems (CJS) (Horvath et al 2014;Allnock 2015). Even worse, survivors, already traumatized by abuse, are often re-traumatized by the systems created to investigate crime and punish abusers (Plotnikoff and Woolfson 2009;Weinstein 2014).…”