The films are being launched on Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Day (Wed 18 March), a national campaign to highlight the issues surrounding CSE; encouraging everyone to think, spot and speak out against abuse.

Produced by the University’s award winning team from the International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence, and trafficking; the films share the findings of a range of studies undertaken by researchers from the centre, as well as drawing on wider CSE literature.

Professor Jenny Pearce Director of the International Centre said: “These films will examine the key issues facing those working with young people affected by CSE. You may be a busy social worker, police officer or a foster carer; but these films will give you the opportunity to incorporate the latest research into your practice.

“No one agency has holds the solution to child sexual exploitation,” continued Prof Pearce. “We need to keep working together to create ongoing evidence arising from, and informing, best practice. This way we can challenge misconceptions and build sustainable interventions that support children and young people affected by CSE.”

Most of the films are under two minutes long. They can be watched in the office, shared with colleagues or friends, or used in a training context.

Each film is accompanied by a short briefing document that outlines the evidence in more detail, with references and links to the original research and questions for reflection.

The team, who won the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education for its pioneering, applied and partnership based research into child sexual exploitation, hope the key messages from the films will improve practice in the protection of children and young people and stimulate further collaboration with the Centre.

The films are:

• 1. 10 key facts about child sexual exploitation, Dr Helen Beckett
• 2. Child sexual exploitation: a social model of consent, Professor Jenny Pearce, OBE
• 3. Peer-on-peer child sexual exploitation, George Curtis
• 4. Gang associated sexual exploitation and violence, Dr Helen Beckett
• 5. Safeguarding teenagers from sexual exploitation and violence outside the home, Carlene Firmin, MBE
• 6. What young people affected by sexual exploitation have told us about the support they want from you, Fiona Factor
• 7. Raising community awareness of child sexual exploitation, Dr Kate D’Arcy
• 8. Parents as partners in safeguarding children from sexual exploitation, Roma Thomas
• 9. Managing child sexual exploitation workers in multi-agency teams, Dr Julie Harris
• 10. Making justice work for victims and witnesses in child sexual exploitation cases, Dr Camille Warrington
• 11. Multi-dimensional safety for children in care affected by sexual exploitation, Dr Lucie Shuker
• 12. Successful reintegration for separated children, Claire Cody

For further information and view the films please go to www.beds.ac.uk/ic/films

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. The Queen’s Anniversary Prize recognises and celebrates outstanding work within UK higher and further education institutions and the impact that they have. It is the UK’s highest form of national recognition open to a UK higher or further education institution.
2. To request an interview with a member of the team from the International Centre: Researching child sexual exploitation, violence and trafficking, please contact the Press Office at the University of Bedfordshire on (01582) 489399 or email Ulrika Meegolla ulrika.meegolla@beds.ac.uk