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17 September
No 1218
Definition of Young People Who Sexually Abuse
Young people who engage in any form of sexual activity with another individual, that they have powers over by virtue of age, emotional maturity, gender, physical strength, intellect and where the victim in this relationship has suffered a sexual exploitation and betrayal of trust. (T. Palmer, 1995)
While it is likely that the majority of young abusers are adolescents, it is acknowledged that pre-adolescents can be involved in inappropriate sexual behaviour.
It is important to identify how and by whom the assessment and management of risk of abuse as well as the planning of preventive and remedial work could be carried out.
Children who abuse, but do not appear to be victims as well, represent 'children in need'. As such they must be assessed in terms of risk, dangerousness and moreover in relation to vulnerability such as 'informal' justice being meted out.
The Manual of Guidance on working with sex offenders in my view only goes part of the way to providing a formal mechanism to assess and manage risk because only a small proportion of young people who abuse sexually are taken to court and convicted.
However, as young abusers are neither fitting neatly into our child protection guidance, 'Co-operating to Safeguard Children', nor within the Manual of GuidÂÂance on dealing with sex offenders and other offenders against children the Department recognises the need to work with others to draft a specific circular aimed at young abusers. It is recognised that steps are required to avoid the needs and the risks presented by these young people falling into abeyance. Such will require clear expectations of lead responsibility and of an accountable process.
PAUL MARTIN
Martin, P. (2002) Co-operating to safeguard. Child Care in Practice, 8(2), pp.127-132
