1. Group-associated child sexual exploitation: Exploring the networks Maureen Taylor 1 st Year PhD student

2. What is child sexual exploitation (CSE)? o Responses are variable o CSE causes physical, psychological and emotional harm o CSE is child abuse o A type of sexual abuse in which children and young people (or a third party) receive ‘something’ in exchange for sexual activity. o Those exploiting the child or young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources o CSE happens all over the UK o Largely hidden o Extent not known, although estimates made

3. Networked CSE Organised ‘parties’ Offline perpetrator linked to a network Networks connected to transport hubs Peer networks Linked to intra- familial abuse Linked to adult prostitution OCGs and networks All ‘models’ involve networks of offenders

4. The problem: Networked CSE ‘Traditional’ analytical techniques do not go far enough in identifying centrality and power at both individual offender (ego) and whole network levels Without an understanding of the nature, strength and significance of these connections, the police are unable to exploit them to effect preventative or disruptive strategies Group offending: Levels of harm and barriers to disclosure Little is known about the structure of CSE networks across the UK Offenders exploit their connections to people, organisations or places to commit CSE

5. Aims and objectives Aims 1.To analyse the structure and nature of CSE networks across the UK 2.To develop effective strategies to prevent CSE and to disrupt CSE networks Objectives 1.Whole and ego networks will be reconstructed and analysed for each case study 2.Structural and functional properties of each CSE network will be synthesised and compared to identify similarities and differences between CSE networks and with other criminal networks 3.Investigative practice improvements in the disruption of CSE networks will be proposed alongside potential preventative measures Research question: How is CSE organised?

6. Methodology Comparative case study design 6+ cases from police forces in England Qualitative data Police case files Intelligence data Interviews Social network analysis Quantitative Qualitative Centrality Density Position Roles Power Strengths Weaknesses Comparative analysis between CSE networks and other criminal networks Access to police data!

7. Impact By identifying common structures, functions, strengths and weaknesses within CSE networks it is hoped that this PhD research will: Add to a growing body of knowledge about child sexual exploitation Provide new knowledge about the structure and nature of child sexual exploitation networks Support efforts by the police to develop effective investigative practice Contribute to preventative work in relation to child sexual exploitation Any Questions?