About the Making Noise research project

The Making Noise research project focuses on the experiences and perspectives of children and young people who have been sexually abused within the family environment. It is undertaken by a partnership between the ‘International Centre: Researching Child Sexual Exploitation, Violence and Trafficking’ at the University of Bedfordshire, and the NSPCC. 

The project runs from March 2015 – July 2016 and is funded by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England (OCCE).  The project forms part of the OCCE’s wider inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in the Family Environment (CSAFE).

What are the Making Noise research project aims?

The OCCE’s inquiry has identified that very little research has been undertaken which directly captures the views of children and young people who have been sexually abused, and that the needs of particular groups of children and young people affected by sexual abuse are not well understood, including those with disabilities, particularly young children, BME children and young people and LGBTQ children and young people.

This Making Noise research project is focused on eliciting the views of children and young people affected by sexual abuse with the aim of:

• improving understanding of participants’ experiences of:
  recognition, identification and disclosure
  help-seeking and support
  contact with services as a result of reporting/identification of CSA
  care systems, and
  criminal justice procedures;
• ascertaining children and young people’s views on how such processes could be improved.

How will the Making Noise research project take place?

Primary data collection is currently taking place through qualitative interviews with children and young people aged 5 – 18 years who are currently accessing specialist support relating to CSA. The project is aiming to involve 50 children and young people in this aspect of the research.

Children who take part in interviews are identified, risk assessed and engaged in the project with the support of practitioners from local services throughout England.

The interview process has been designed with the support of a play therapist and social worker, seconded to the project. The process is adapted on a case by case basis and uses a variety of visual tools and prompts to support children and young people to express their views. Interview questions are framed in the third person to ensure that children and young people are not under any pressure to talk about anything they don’t want to.

The project is supported by both a professional advisory group and young people’s advisory group and has been subject to ethical review by the University, NSPCC, Barnardo's and the Association of Directors of Children’s Services.

Research publication

The research will be published by the OCCE in summer 2016. All participants, parents, carers and supporting practitioners and agencies will be notified about the publication of the research prior to its release.

Copies of the research report, summary and an accessible version for children and young people will be made available via the OCCE, University of Bedfordshire and the NSPCC websites.

If you have any questions, or would be happy to help facilitate the involvement of children and young people in the research, please contact the research team on the details below:

• Project Manager: Dr Helen Beckett | helen.beckett@beds.ac.uk | Tel. 07725 217231
• Research Lead: Dr Camille Warrington | camille.warrington@beds.ac.uk | Tel. 07912 778 318