In 2014, the HSC R&D Division funded a Knowledge Transfer project which was focused on disseminating learning from research (Beckett, 2011) on child sexual exploitation (CSE) in Northern Ireland (NI).
The research had highlighted a lack of awareness and understanding about CSE amongst professionals and young people as well as difficulties for professionals in identification and assessment of CSE and the need for greater inter-disciplinary working and sharing of learning in NI.
A Knowledge Transfer team involving collaboration between experts working in this area in Queen's University Belfast, University of Bedfordshire, Barnardo's, Safeguarding Board NI and the Centre for Effective Services were successfully Awarded funding from HSC R&D Division to work with professionals and young people to raise awareness about CSE, create principles for working with young people affected by CSE and assist in the review and development of a CSE risk-assessment tool.
One of the major outputs from the project was the production of a film, by young people, entitled "False Freedom" highlighting the issues around CSE and a resource pack to be used by professionals working with young people.
Over 250 staff have been engaged as part of this work and 600 hard copies of the DVD and resource have been distributed in NI and UK.
This project has brought significant benefits for those involved in the various elements of the work, not least of which are the service users involved in the production of awareness raising materials for young people. The project can also be seen as an excellent example of partnership working resulting in work and output of an exceptional standard. The collaboration and partnership will continue through the Knowledge Transfer Partnership and this will permit more significant work in the area of CSE to be continued into the future. For more information, please see Barnardo's website>