TONIC was commissioned by the Inquiry to interview perpetrators of child sexual exploitation in organised networks. This was in recognition of a relative lack of primary research on this emerging topic. Historically, work has tended to focus on perpetrators of sexual offending (not child sexual exploitation). Where child sexual exploitation was the focus, work has centred around lone perpetrators and online offending (for example Walker, Pillinger and Brown, 2018). There have recently been a small number of studies looking at groups of child sexual exploitation perpetrators (for example Cockbain, 2018; Pancholi and Palmer, forthcoming), but the topic still warrants further research.
The aims of the current research were to:
Using the definition from Working Together to Safeguard Children (HM Government, 2018), the Inquiry defines child sexual exploitation as:
A form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
The team started the project by conducting a background literature review, which indicated the following: