TY - JOUR

T1 - I have my life back

T2 - recovering from Child Sexual Exploitation

AU - Palmer, Catherine Emma

AU - Foley, Marian

N1 - This is a pre-copy-editing, author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication in British Journal of Social Work following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version Emma Palmer, Marian Foley; ‘I Have My Life Back’: Recovering from Child Sexual Exploitation. Br J Soc Work 2017; 47 (4): 1094-1110. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bcw020 is available online at: https://academic.oup.com/bjsw/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/bjsw/bcw020

PY - 2017/6/1

Y1 - 2017/6/1

N2 - Despite intense focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK, little is known about how and why some young people recover well from sustained exploitation by multiple perpetrators. Using thematic analysis, three published memoirs by young people (female) about their sexual exploitation by groups of men in the UK are analysed for insight into what contributes to positive short- and long-term outcomes. Despite the populist nature of the publications, the memoirs offer an important insight into young people’s understandings of their exploitation. The rich detail inherent to memoir exposes the complexities and dilemmas faced by the young people and the professionals involved. Being listened and believed by family and professionals is the most significant aspect to positive adaptation post exploitation in these accounts. However, the dynamics of grooming and the nature of contemporary social work intervention and investigation render disclosure difficult. As these accounts illustrate, CSE is characterised by uncertainty and complexity, and this is the domain in which social work needs to intervene more successfully to support young people.

AB - Despite intense focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK, little is known about how and why some young people recover well from sustained exploitation by multiple perpetrators. Using thematic analysis, three published memoirs by young people (female) about their sexual exploitation by groups of men in the UK are analysed for insight into what contributes to positive short- and long-term outcomes. Despite the populist nature of the publications, the memoirs offer an important insight into young people’s understandings of their exploitation. The rich detail inherent to memoir exposes the complexities and dilemmas faced by the young people and the professionals involved. Being listened and believed by family and professionals is the most significant aspect to positive adaptation post exploitation in these accounts. However, the dynamics of grooming and the nature of contemporary social work intervention and investigation render disclosure difficult. As these accounts illustrate, CSE is characterised by uncertainty and complexity, and this is the domain in which social work needs to intervene more successfully to support young people.

KW - SEXUAL ABUSE

KW - RECOVERY

KW - child sexual exploitation

KW - Violence against women

U2 - 10.1093/bjsw/bcw020

DO - 10.1093/bjsw/bcw020

M3 - Journal article

VL - 47

SP - 1094

EP - 1110

JO - British Journal of Social Work

JF - British Journal of Social Work

SN - 0045-3102

IS - 4

ER -