Listening to survivors of child sexual exploitation

Pioneering research by Cardiff University's Dr Sophie Hallett has made young people’s views integral to decisions on their care.

Dr Sophie Hallett’s research into child sexual exploitation has changed the way social workers and policy makers view and address this complex form of abuse.

The term ‘child sexual exploitation’, or CSE, was only formally introduced to UK safeguarding policy in 2009. Still a relatively new term, there was a lack of awareness about what constitutes it, what can be done to prevent children from harm and what support should be offered to those affected.

Dr Sophie Hallett’s research filled this knowledge gap by exploring what CSE is, and how best to intervene and prevent it.