Changing the real-world response to support the families of individuals being investigated for online child sexual abuse offences.

• In Event: Changing the real-world response to online child sexual abuse through research and innovation

Abstract

Child sexual abuse offending is on the increase, with police forces in the UK conducting an average of 1000 warrants a month for image and communication-based offences. Of these, our research suggests that approximately 40% will have children living at home at the time of the warrant. This traumatic and highly impactful event requires changes in policy and practice to minimise the secondary harms to the children and families of those under investigation.
Within this presentation, we will present findings from several UK based research projects that explored the broader psychological, social, physical impacts of this offence on families, and particularly those with children. Within this context, we will focus on and share the real-world impacts of our work of building an evidence base, through collaboration and engagement with police and third sector partners, and family members in this space. This has led to some groundbreaking, innovative policy and practice changes in relation to how police forces understand, engage with, and support these family members; as well as the development of a flexible and dynamic model of support which is based on multiagency and sector collaboration.
Finally, we will outline the research gaps and the next steps to continue to build and strengthen this evidence base and to establish the new support model more nationally.

Authors

• Theresa Redmond, The Policing Institute for the Eastern Region at Anglia Ruskin University

• Rachel Armitage, University of Huddersfield