Child sexual exploitation networks in the UK: an analysis of how they operate

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Child Sexual Exploitation Networks In The UK: An Analysis Of How They OperateBackgroundChild Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is currently defined under UK law as the sexual exploitation ofchildren under 18 years old; this occurs where a perpetrator uses exploitative situations andrelationships to take advantage of an imbalance of power and manipulate a child into sexual activities(Department of Education, 2016). Traditionally, resources utilised to tackle CSE were directed at solooffenders, as the majority of perpetrators are known to act alone (Brayley & Cockbain, 2012; Wortley& Smallbone, 2006). Recent events in the UK, however, have highlighted the activities of varioussexual exploitation groups which have organised and partaken in the systematic grooming and sexualabuse of children in cities across England and Wales (Brayley & Cockbain, 2012). High profile CSEcases such as those investigated in Oxford, Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford identified incidents inwhich multiple offenders worked together in victimising young girls; forming what appears to beorganised networks. (Cockbain, Brayley & Laycock, 2011; Independent Inquiry into Child SexualAbuse, 2018).The trauma sustained by victims of CSE touches almost every aspect of their lives and isassociated with adverse outcomes that endure over the lifetime of the child (IICSA Research Team,2017). The victims of CSE, however, are not the only people to suffer the negative impact of thesecrimes. Research has found that family members of victims suffer from high rates of emotional traumaand distress, and wider society suffers a financial burden from the increased need for public services(IICSA Research Team, 2017). Unsurprisingly, the exposure of such heinous criminal activity has leadto an increase in media and public attention regarding group based CSE, as well as increased scrutinyon policy and procedural practice in this area. While previous research has focused largely on thepsychology and characteristics of victims and offenders (Paolucci, Genuis & Violato, 2001; Whitaker et al., 2008), and more recently the ethnic make up of such groups (Cockbain, 2013; Gill & Harrison,2015), there is little research on how these groups actually operate. A clear understanding on the way inwhich these groups operate in terms of recruitment, communication and transactions etc., is vital inhelping to inform targeted police interventions across areas such as investigation, prosecution andprevention. In addition, an understanding of the mechanisms behind CSE groups will add to theliterature on the broader issues of CSE and organised crime.Filling the Literature GapThe research available around CSE networks and the way in which they operate is limited (Cockbain,Brayley & Laycock, 2011), therefore more research is required to gain a better understanding of thesegroups. In this paper I will propose a study in which Social network analysis techniques are applied toCSE networks. In addition, I propose a comparative investigation into the recruitment and groomingtechniques used by group and solo CSE offenders.Social Network Analysis (SNA) is based upon the assumption that people are embedded incomplex webs of social relationships, and analysing these networks provides us with useful information regarding social phenomena (Borgatti et al., 2009). SNA is being increasingly appliedto the social sciences (Cockbain, Brayley & Laycock, 2011), however there are still many areas inwhich its potential has not been fully investigated. A paper presented by Cockbain, Brayley andLaycock, (2011) explored the possibility of utilising SNA in the analysis of CSE networks, identifyingboth its practicality and use to the police. This study worked with two data sets from major policeinvestigations into CSE groups. Two networks were produced per data set...