Young people who sexually abuse others: an

introductory session

Introduction to the Taith Service

Taith is a partnership between

Barnardo’s South Wales Police 7 Local Authorities Hillside Secure Centre Abertawe Bro Morgannwg Health Board Youth Justice Board

Introduction to the Taith Service

The Service offers

Assessment Longer-term programme work Consultation Direct work to parents/ carers Training

The Taith Service accepts referrals across Wales

Referral criteria

Aged 8-17 years on referral or

Aged 18-21 years

Displaying sexually harmful behaviour

Ordinarily open to YOS/ SSD

Referrals

In 2009/10 Taith worked with 128 young people For over half, yp had engaged in at least one incident prior to the referring behaviour 7% referral rate on girls Average age on referral 13.5 years 56% mainstream education, 20% PRU/ special school 33% in LAC system 30% have statement of special educational need

Referring behaviour

In 2009/10 12% exposed genitals (incl exposure and masturbation) 43% sexually assaulted another 28% raped/ attempted to rape (penetration of vagina, anus or mouth without consent) 8% engaged in other penetrative behaviour (causing another to penetrate him without consent/ digital or objectile penetration) 3% had downloaded indecent images of children 5% other behaviours

Structure of assessment

ERASOR Version 2.0 (Worling and Curwen, 2001) Range of questionnaires devpd by ASAP (Beckett et al), where appropriate SDQ (Goodman, 2005) TSCC (Briere, 1996)

The purpose of assessment

Identify level of concern/ risks yp may represent

Establish therapeutic needs

Make recommendations for placement (where appropriate)

Make recommendations for risk management

Talking to young people about sexually

harmful behaviour

Acknowledgement of difficulty/ demonstrate empathy etc Non judgemental Straightforward approach Clear on boundaries of confidentiality Create an expectation that they will discuss the incident with you Importance of language/ terminology used Questioning style

16% of children aged under 16 years experienced abuse in childhood, 11% of which was contact abuse (11% boys and 21% girls) (Cawson et al, 2000, published by NSPCC)

Retrospective studies present a broad consensus that 25- 35% of all child sexual abuse is perpetrated by other young people (NSPCC Research briefing)

Review of 25 studies into arrest and reconviction rates amongst adolescent sexual offenders found recidivism rates of between 1.7% and 19.6% over 1-10 year periods (Caldwell, 2002)

30-50% of adult sex offenders reported that they began to abuse when they were children or adolescents (Marshall et al, 1991; Vizard, 1994; Elliot et al, 1995)

Own victimisation and other behavioural

issuesTaith 2009/10 N 128

41% known or suspected to have been sexually abused 42% known or suspected to have been physically abused 61% known or suspected to have been emotionally abused 62% known or suspected to have been exposed to domestic violence 48% known or suspected as having been bullied by others 3% known or suspected as having been sexually exploited

Own victimisation and other behavioural

issues

18% young people reported as having known or suspected drug or alcohol issues 18% young people have diagnosed or suspected depression 14% young people are known or suspected to engage in self harm 62% involved in fighting/ aggression 38% involved in bullying (of others) 35% were identified as having damaged property

Areas that may be of concern

Social adequacy deficits Poor self regulation/ problem solving skills Specific thinking errors about young children and sex Poor empathy for victim of own behaviour/ victims of sexual abuse (poor correlation with risk in adults)

Hostile/ adversarial attitude towards girls Likely to misinterpret girls’ behaviour in sexualised ways Pro criminal thinking

Some ideas on risk management in school setting

For all young people

Clear rules around privacy Clear guidelines around masturbation Clear rules around pornography and mobile phones (internet and camera funcs) Clear policies on bullying (incl sexual/ homophobic) Awareness of safeguarding duties and procedures Promotion of healthy sexuality

Our thoughts on challenging

inappropriate behaviour

Directly challenge Challenge immediately where possible But with respect for sensitivities involved Do challenge ‘the small stuff’ Be explicit Outline alternative appropriate behaviour

Our thoughts on challenging

inappropriate behaviour

Record behaviour clearly Discuss behaviour with appropriate colleagues Check out your own feelings – get support when needed Report behaviour when necessary Inform young person and parents

Managing Risk - Processes

Safety plans Child Protection Procedures Criminal Justice System – bail/ licence/ supervision conditions MAPPA Sexual Offences Prevention Order

Contact us at

E mail taith.service@barnardos.org.uk

Tel 01656 – 749235

www.barnardos.org.uk/taith