Dr Claire Cody

Senior Research Fellow

Claire Cody

I am a Senior Research Fellow based within the Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire. I am currently working on the 'Our Voices III' project which is: exploring the role of 'participatory approaches' in addressing child sexual abuse and exploitation; and developing an international network of researchers committed to challenging sexual violence against children.

I have been working in the fields of child rights and child protection for the last 14 years based within the UK charity sector, the international development field and academia. Over the last decade my research has focussed on understanding and improving responses to children and young people affected by various forms of sexual violence. I established an international network on the recovery and reintegration of children affected by child sexual exploitation and trafficking in 2010, which subsequently led to the development of the RISE Learning Network, now led by the organisation Family for Every Child. I have carried out fieldwork in the USA, India, Cambodia, Albania, Moldova and Serbia exploring responses to young people affected by sexual violence. I have undertaken consultancies for INGOs including ECPAT International and World Vision Cambodia and donors such as Ignite Philanthropy.

My recent research explores: the use of arts-based, group work with young people affected by child sexual abuse and exploitation; the value and challenges of peer support interventions for young people affected by sexual violence and; the process and outcomes of a participatory advocacy project with young women with lived experience of sexual violence in Eastern Europe. In my work, I draw on trauma-informed approaches and feminist and empowerment theories to understand and explore the potential role of group work, art and activism with young people affected by sexual violence.

Qualifications

BSc (Hons) Psychology - University of Exeter
MSc Social Anthropology - University of Oxford
Professional Doctorate, Leadership in Children's and Young People's Services - University of Bedfordshire

Teaching Role

Supervision of masters and doctoral students.
Lecture on the MA units 'Understanding CSE and associated forms of harm’ and 'The conceptual framework: theories shaping public policy for children and young people's services.'

Research Interests

The sexual exploitation and trafficking of children and young people
The participation of children and young people with lived experience in advocacy, practice, policy and research
Creative and arts-based practice
Feminist theory and trauma-informed practice

Recent Research and Action Projects

Elevating Our Voices
Our Voices III
Our Voices Too
Our Voices
RISE Learning Network (promoting learning on Recovery and (Re-)integration from Child Sexual Exploitation) in partnership with Family for Every Child and Retrak
Home: The Child Recovery and Reintegration Network
Protection against Vulnerability. The Indian Experience 'What works?'

Recent Publications and Outputs

Cody, C., Bovarnick, S. and Soares, C. (2024) Realising participation and protection rights when working with groups of young survivors of childhood sexual violence: A decade of learning. Child Protection and Practice.
Cody, C., Soares, C., Nabulya, A., Nakijoba, N., Ekesa, T. and Katunge Matheka, J. (2024) ‘I AM IMPORTANT’: Reflections from young people in Kenya and Uganda on the value of participation for children and young people affected by sexual abuse and exploitation (under review)
Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2023) Seeing things from both sides: A comic to help young people and professionals understand each other’s views about young survivors’ participation in efforts to address child sexual abuse and exploitation. Luton: Safer Young Lives Research Centre, University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2023) Practitioner briefing: Factors that influence outcomes when supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2023) Practitioner briefing: Thinking about 'readiness' and risk assessment processes when supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2023) Practitioner briefing: Group work as a mechanism for the collective participation of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Soares, C. and Cody, C. (2023) Practitioner briefing: Complex issues in supporting the participation rights of children and young people with lived experience of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
'Progressing Participation as Protection' Podcast (2022)
Cody, C. (2023) ‘Nothing geeky about photography’: Engaging young people accessing a specialist child sexual exploitation service through photography and digital storytelling (under review).
Cody, C., Peace, D. and Bovarnick, S. (2022) 'It’s like a much deeper understanding and you kind of believe them more…’: the value of peer support in supporting young people affected by sexual violence. Child Abuse Review.
Cody, C., Peace, D., Bovarnick, S. and Warrington, C. (2022) "Keeping the informal safe": Strategies for developing peer support initiatives for young people who have experienced sexual violence. Children and Society.
Veitch, H. and Cody, C. (2021) Understanding Sexual Violence Against Children as a Children’s Rights Issue. Discussion paper. Children Unite
Bovarnick, S and Cody, C. (2021) Putting risk into perspective: Lessons for children and youth services from a participatory advocacy project with survivors of sexual violence in Albania, Moldova and Serbia. Children and Youth Services Review, 126 106003
Bovarnick, S and Cody, C. (2020) ‘They need to see the people they are affecting by their decision-making’: Developing participatory advocacy with young people on sexual violence in Albania, Moldova and Serbia. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C., Bovarnick, S. and Peace, D (2020) Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence - tensions, challenges and strategies: Briefing paper four. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C., Bovarnick, S and Peace, D.(2020) Peer support for young people who have experienced sexual violence - the value: Briefing paper three. Luton: University of Bedfordshire.
Cody, C. and Wakia, J. (2019) Monitoring and Evaluation of Reintegration Toolkit. RISE Learning Network.
De Bruin Cardoso, I., Bhattacharjee, L., Cody, C., Wakia, J., Tachie Menson, J. and Tabbia, M. (2019) ‘Promoting learning on reintegration of children into family-based care: implications for monitoring approaches and tools. Experiences from the RISE learning network;’ Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies, 15(2), pp.114-123.
Cody, C and D'Arcy, K. (2017) Involving young people affected by sexual violence in efforts to prevent sexual violence in Europe: what is required? Child Care in Practice, 25(2), pp. 200-214.
Cody, C. (2017) 'We have personal experience to share, it makes it real’: Young people's views on their role in sexual violence prevention efforts. Children and Youth Services Review, 79, pp. 221-227.
Cody, C. (2017) Connecting the dots: Supporting the Recovery and Reintegration of Children Affected by Sexual Exploitation [PDF] Bangkok: ECPAT International
Cody, C. (2016) 'We can't collect comprehensive information on all of these changes': The challenges of monitoring and evaluating reintegration efforts for separated children. In: M. Malloch and P. Rigby (eds.) Exploitation: The Complexities of Human Trafficking. Edinburgh University Press
Cody, C. (2015) 'They don't talk about it enough' [PDF] Report on the 2014 consultations with Youth Advisors for 'Our Voices'. Luton: University of Bedfordshire
Cody, C. (2015) Utilising the arts to tackle child sexual exploitation. Safer Communities, 14(1).
Cody, C. (2013) Working paper – What do we know about safe accommodation and alternative care for children affected by sexual exploitation and related trafficking? Home: The Child Recovery and Reintegration Network
Cody, C. (2013) Working Paper – What do we know about…integrating into a new community or setting: one option for children affected by sexual exploitation and related trafficking? Home: The Child Recovery and Reintegration Network
Cody, C. (2013) Working Paper - What do we know about…returning home: one option for children affected by sexual exploitation and related trafficking? Home: The Child Recovery and Reintegration Network
Cody, C. (2012) Re-integration of victims of trafficking: 'Towards' good practice in Cambodia. Phnom Penh: World Vision International
Cody, C. (2012) Supporting the social integration of trafficked young people. Forced Migration Review: Being young and out of place. Issue 40, August 2012
Cody, C., Lawson, E., MacNab, M., Taylor, M., Wallace, R. and Wylie, K. (2011) Scotland: A safe place for child traffickers? A scoping study into the nature and extent of child trafficking in Scotland [PDF]. Edinburgh: Scotland's Commissioner for Children and Young People & the Centre for Rural Childhood, Perth College UHI
Cody, C. (2010) Recovery services for child victims of sexual violence and their families – what can be offered? [PDF] In Protecting children from sexual violence - A comprehensive approach. Strasbourg: Council of Europe
Cody, C. (2010) Birth registration: A tool for prevention, protection and prosecution in the context of child slavery in Craig, G. (Ed) Child slavery now: A contemporary reader. Bristol: The Policy Press
Cody, C. (2009) Count every child: The right to birth registration. Woking: Plan Ltd
Cody, C. and Heap, S. (2009) Combating statelessness: Plan's experience of improving birth registration [PDF]. Forced Migration Review, Issue 32, April 2009

Conference Presentations and Workshops

Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2024) Creating a comic to convey the complexities involved in securing participation rights for young survivors of childhood sexual violence. Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, Cape Town. South Africa (accepted)
Soares, C., Cairns, L., Grygier, K., Howard-Merrill, L., Rabe, J., Cody. C. (2024) Invisible threads: creating a safe space for connection and collective care for PhD researchers working on childhood sexual violence. Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, Cape Town. South Africa (accepted)
Beckett, H., Bovarnick, S., Cody. C. and Warrington, C. (2024) A workshop on embedding trauma-informed practices in trauma-focused research with children and young people. ISPCAN Congress, Uppsala, Sweden August 18-21 2024 (accepted)
Cody, C. (2024) Creating comics to explore rights to protection and participation for young survivors of childhood sexual violence. ISPCAN Congress, Uppsala, Sweden August 18-21 2024 (accepted)
Cody, C., Constant, S., Fabrega Martin, H. and Valverde, J. (2024) Enablers and barriers to the meaningful participation of children and young people, including survivors, to address child sexual exploitation: learning from members of an international network. ISPCAN Congress, Uppsala, Sweden August 18-21 2024 (accepted)
Cody, C., Soares, C. and Stoian, M. (2024) 'Seeing things from both sides': A comic exploring the participation rights of young survivors of child sexual abuse and exploitation. International Creative Research Methods Conference, Manchester, September 9-10 2024 (accepted)
Cody, C. and Soares, C. (2023) Engaging young survivors in participatory initiatives: What are we learning? Online webinar to mark European Day on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse.
Cody, C. et al. (2022) Pre-conference workshop: Young people and participatory methods. Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, Cancun. Mexico
Cody, C. and Bovarnick, S. (2022) How can youth participatory initiatives help to integrate learning between the VAC and VAW sectors? Lessons from a trauma-informed youth advocacy project involving young survivors of sexual violence in Albania, Moldova and Serbia. Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Forum, Cancun. Mexico
Cody, C. (2022) Trauma informed data collection. Online workshop for Ignite Network of Networks.
Cody, C. (2021) ‘Peer support for young people affected by sexual violence: why and how?’ I Get By With A Little Help From My Friends: Working with Friendship and Peer Support When Safeguarding Adolescents. Making Research Count Webinar
Cody, C. (2017) Involving young people affected by sexual violence in efforts to prevent sexual violence in Europe: why and how? Symposium presentation at ISPCAN's European Regional Meeting, The Hague, Holland, 4th Oct, 2017
Cody. C (2015) Webinar: Young people's views on their role in sexual violence prevention efforts, University of Bedfordshire, 18th November, 2015
Chair of the Organising Committee for the Cumberland Lodge Colloquium 'Young people affected by sexual violence as change makers in prevention efforts: what are the opportunities and what are the risks?', Cumberland Lodge, Great Windsor Park, UK, 28th September, 2015
Cody. C. (2015) Child and youth participation for prevention and protection: The 'Our Voices' Project. Presented at the High Level, Cross Regional Meeting on Protection of Children from Sexual Violence, Council of Europe and the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Violence Against Children, Strasbourg, 19th June, 2015
Cody, C. and Warrington, C. (2015) Making safe spaces to talk about unsafe relationships: bringing young people into the dialogue around preventing and responding to sexual violence. Presented at the 3rd International Conference of the International Childhood and Youth Research Network, European University Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus, 10-12th June, 2015
Cody, C. (2015) Utilising group arts-based interventions with young people affected by child sexual exploitation. Symposium presentation at BASPCAN's 9^th Congress, 'new directions in child protection and well-being', Edinburgh University, 13 April 2015
Cody, C (2014) Introducing 'Our Voices': giving young people affected by sexual violence a voice in prevention efforts. Workshop at The International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking Conference, London, 3 July 2014
Cody, C. (2014) Introducing 'Our Voices'. Participation Forum - the National Working Group (NWG), Derby, 8^th May, 2014
Cody, C (2013) Engaging the experts: the importance of working with young survivors of sexual violence in prevention efforts. Preventing Sexual Abuse of Children Conference, the Council of Europe and Government of Spain, Madrid 10-11 December, 2013
Cody, C. (2013) Developing a toolkit to monitor and evaluate reintegration programmes: Learning from children and young people in seven countries. Online presentation at the Global Online Counter Child Trafficking Conference. 16-18 October, 2013
Cody, C. (2013) Where to go from here: helping organisations monitor and evaluate reintegration programmes. Presented at the conference 'children and youth affected by armed conflict: where to go from here?' Kampala, Uganda 25-27 September 2013
Cody, C. (2013) Bridging research and practice to support survivors. Presented at the seminar 'human trafficking: conceptualising definitions, responses and 'what needs to be done'. University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, 13 March 2013
Cody, C. (2012) Life skills programming for children and young people affected by sexual exploitation and trafficking. Presented at the 're/integration of trafficked children in the Western Balkans, regional workshop'. Becici, Montenegro, 4 October 2012
Cody, C. (2012) What information do practitioners need to better support child survivors of sexual exploitation and related trafficking in India? Free paper at BASPCAN's 8^th Congress, 'keeping children safe in an uncertain world'. Queen's University, Belfast, Northern Ireland 15-18April 2012
Cody, C. (2011) Improving responses for victims of trafficking through applied research, evaluation and knowledge transfer: The role of academia. Presented at the conference ' incorporating human trafficking in academic institutions: the European experience'. University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 25-26 November 2011
Cody, C. (2008) Birth registration: A tool for prevention, protection and prosecution in the context of child slavery. Conference paper presented at 'child slavery now'. Wilberforce Institute for the Study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE), University of Hull, 27 Nov 2008