Abstract:
The term “Child Protection” encompasses a complex interplay of factors that must be ecologically considered in managing, assessing and treating children and young people. Research indicates that those children and young people displaying sexually harmful behaviour are more likely to have been subject to adverse childhood experiences. The ecological model emphasises that it must be considered in the context of the individual child and parent factors, the relationship between child and parent factors, and their relationship with outside pressures and influences. Previous assessment has focused on the historical and individual factors related to risk of re-offending. More recently, the focus has shifted to a dynamic, strength-based perspective that allows for the consideration of the transitional processes that distinguish children and young people from adults who sexually offend. The current thesis is divided into six chapters that guide the reader through an ecological perspective of early childhood experiences, environmental and contextual experiences, and dynamic and static concerns and strengths in predicting further sexually harmful behaviour. A critique of psychometric assessment focuses on parenting stress from a child, parent and interactional perspective, whilst an empirical research study explores the array of risk and protective factors relating to risk of reoffending, and the use of an actuarial assessment in guiding management and treatment. Finally an individual case study of an adolescent‘s assessment and therapy following sexually harmful behaviour is presented. In line with international perspectives of assessment and interventions that work with this population, consistent support is found for the use of an ecological model in the assessment, management and treatment of children and young people, and discussed in the context of limitations of the thesis and clinical implications within the United Kingdom.