Child sexual exploitation networks in the UK: an analysis of how they operate

Child Sexual Exploitation Networks In The UK: An Analysis Of How They Operate
Background
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is currently defined under UK law as the sexual exploitation of
children under 18 years old; this occurs where a perpetrator uses exploitative situations and
relationships to take advantage of an imbalance of power and manipulate a child into sexual activities
(Department of Education, 2016). Traditionally, resources utilised to tackle CSE were directed at solo
offenders, as the majority of perpetrators are known to act alone (Brayley & Cockbain, 2012; Wortley
& Smallbone, 2006). Recent events in the UK, however, have highlighted the activities of various
sexual exploitation groups which have organised and partaken in the systematic grooming and sexual
abuse of children in cities across England and Wales (Brayley & Cockbain, 2012). High profile CSE
cases such as those investigated in Oxford, Rochdale, Rotherham and Telford identified incidents in
which multiple offenders worked together in victimising young girls; forming what appears to be
organised networks. (Cockbain, Brayley & Laycock, 2011; Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual
Abuse, 2018).
The trauma sustained by victims of CSE touches almost every aspect of their lives and is
associated with adverse outcomes that endure over the lifetime of the child (IICSA Research Team,
2017). The victims of CSE, however, are not the only people to suffer the negative impact of these
crimes. Research has found that family members of victims suffer from high rates of emotional trauma
and distress, and wider society suffers a financial burden from the increased need for public services
(IICSA Research Team, 2017). Unsurprisingly, the exposure of such heinous criminal activity has lead
to an increase in media and public attention regarding group based CSE, as well as increased scrutiny
on policy and procedural practice in this area. While previous research has focused largely on the
psychology and characteristics of victims and offenders (Paolucci, Genuis & Violato, 2001; Whitaker
et al., 2008), and more recently the ethnic make up of such groups (Cockbain, 2013; Gill & Harrison,
2015), there is little research on how these groups actually operate. A clear understanding on the way in
which these groups operate in terms of recruitment, communication and transactions etc., is vital in
helping to inform targeted police interventions across areas such as investigation, prosecution and
prevention. In addition, an understanding of the mechanisms behind CSE groups will add to the
literature on the broader issues of CSE and organised crime.
Filling the Literature Gap
The research available around CSE networks and the way in which they operate is limited (Cockbain,
Brayley & Laycock, 2011), therefore more research is required to gain a better understanding of these
groups. In this paper I will propose a study in which Social network analysis techniques are applied to
CSE networks. In addition, I propose a comparative investigation into the recruitment and grooming
techniques used by group and solo CSE offenders.
Social Network Analysis (SNA) is based upon the assumption that people are embedded in
complex webs of social relationships, and analysing these networks provides us with useful
information regarding social phenomena (Borgatti et al., 2009). SNA is being increasingly applied
to the social sciences (Cockbain, Brayley & Laycock, 2011), however there are still many areas in
which its potential has not been fully investigated. A paper presented by Cockbain, Brayley and
Laycock, (2011) explored the possibility of utilising SNA in the analysis of CSE networks, identifying
both its practicality and use to the police. This study worked with two data sets from major police
investigations into CSE groups. Two networks were produced per data set...