Citation

Weston S, Mythen G. Br. J. Criminol. 2020; 60(2): 323-342.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2020, Centre for Crime and Justice Studies, Publisher Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/bjc/azz045

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article considers the effects of an educational intervention with young people designed to reduce the risk of child sexual exploitation (CSE). Drawing on findings from a qualitative study, we consider processes of engagement with the initiative, the relevance of the strategy adopted by the delivery team and the impacts on the perspectives of young people targeted. Focusing on mutually constitutive problems of context sensitivity, recognition of ambiguity and the silencing of alternative narratives, we raise several critical caveats that should be considered in the design and implementation of future CSE awareness raising initiatives. Overall, we aver that an unstinting focus on individual behaviour management unduly responsibilizes young people and draws inflexible demarcation lines between appropriate and inappropriate sexual conduct.

Keywords: Human trafficking

Language: en