Dataset Information

Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Sexual health services routinely screen for child sexual exploitation (CSE). Although sexual health services are increasingly provided online, there has been no research on the translation of the safeguarding function to online services. We studied expert practitioner views on safeguarding in this context.

Objective

The aim was to document expert practitioner views on safeguarding in the context of an online sexual health service.

Methods

We conducted semistructured interviews with lead professionals purposively sampled from local, regional, or national organizations with a direct influence over CSE protocols, child protection policies, and sexual health services. Interviews were analyzed by three researchers using a matrix-based analytic method.

Results

Our respondents described two different approaches to safeguarding. The "information-providing" approach considers that young people experiencing CSE will ask for help when they are ready from someone they trust. The primary function of the service is to provide information, provoke reflection, generate trust, and respond reliably to disclosure. The approach values online services as an anonymous space to test out disclosure without commitment. The "information-gathering" approach considers that young people may withhold information about exploitation. Therefore, services should seek out information to assess risk and initiate disclosure. This approach values face-to-face opportunities for individualized questioning and immediate referral.

Conclusions

The information-providing approach is associated with confidential telephone support lines and the information-gathering approach with clinical services. The approach adopted online will depend on ethos and the range of services provided. Effective transition from online to clinic services after disclosure is an essential element of this process and further research is needed to understand and support this transition.

SUBMITTER: Spencer-Hughes V

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5331185 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views.

Spencer-Hughes Victoria V Syred Jonathan J Allison Alison A Holdsworth Gillian G Baraitser Paula P

Journal of medical Internet research 20170214 2

<h4>Background</h4>Sexual health services routinely screen for child sexual exploitation (CSE). Although sexual health services are increasingly provided online, there has been no research on the translation of the safeguarding function to online services. We studied expert practitioner views on safeguarding in this context.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim was to document expert practitioner views on safeguarding in the context of an online sexual health service.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted semistructu ...[more]

PMID: 28196790

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Dataset Information

Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views.

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views.

Similar Datasets

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