About CATS

CATS brings together expertise from the Lifespan Research Group (formerly part of Health and Social Care Department, Royal Holloway, University of London) and Department of Criminology and Sociology at Kingston University. The Centre is led by Professor Antonia Bifulco and Professor Julia Davidson, with Christopher Hamerton acting as the director of CATS Legal Studies.

Centre directors have conducted a considerable amount of research, teaching and practitioner training on abuse issues, around offenders, victims, criminal justice and social services practitioners. This includes experience of physical abuse/domestic violence; psychological abuse and sexual abuse/sexual assaults in children, adolescents and adults. The Centre focuses upon high quality assessment and increased understanding of models around psychosocial causal factors accounting for victim vulnerability and perpetrator actions. It utilises a lifespan perspective in examining early life abuse and its impact on child, adolescent, adult and older age behaviour in both further victimisation and perpetration of abuse. Centre members retain a strong interest in government policy and legislative provision for both perpetrators and victims of abuse. The Centre aims to be a focus of expertise on issues related to abuse, whether in its investigation and research, its teaching and training to professionals or knowledge dissemination to related professions and the community.

Three two centre directors provide complementary areas of expertise, and have a wide range of networks and professional contacts to further the activities of the centre. The collaboration was initiated as part of the WestFocus Social Inclusion network. This provided funds for undertaking knowledge exchange in a consortium of seven universities in the West of London in relation to a range of social inclusion issues. In terms of the developing centre it funded joint work on child victims of sexual abuse in the police system and training for social workers in child abuse and attachment issues. The former was in response to a Metropolitan Police Child Abuse Investigation Command request to explore police and social work practice with young victims of sexual abuse and the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration, investigative ABE (achieving best evidence) training of police officers and provision for women post release from custody. The evaluative research undertaken led to both to reports for the police* and a publication** and to funding from the Metropolitan Police for further research work. The training for social workers in interview assessment methods is based on grants from voluntary and statutory agencies to aid in best practice in child and family services. The success of this collaboration has led to the decision to create the centre from the two universities. In addition to its directors, CATS is able to draw on a very wide range of expertise from the members of its Advisory Group.

* Davidson and Bifulco (2006) Placing Children and Young People at the Centre of Police Practice: Consulting Young Victims of Intra-Familial Sexual Abuse. Report 1; Literature review; Report 2; Practice.

** Davidson J, Bifulco A, Thomas G & Ramsay M (2006). Child victims of sexual abuse: Children’s experience of the investigative process in the criminal justice system. Journal of Practice,18¨247-263

The Lifespan Research Group directed by Toni Bifulco, has a long history of researching abuse victimisation in the family context, and its effect on mental health in the immediate and longer term. Research programme funding over 10 years from the Medical Research Council allowed for intensive interview investigation of the causal effects of early life neglect and abuse on later experience and psychological disorder in women and intergenerationally. The research has been published widely in international peer reviewed journals and a book co-authored with Patricia Moran, ‘Wednesday’s Child’ (1998) is still a primary text for students and researchers in the area of long terms effect of childhood neglect and abuse. The Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview was developed by Toni Bifulco as a standardised interview tool for collecting information on abuse in early life. This is increasingly used by practitioners in forensic, social work and psychological fields.

Recent & Forthcoming Publications

Books & chapters
Schimmenti A & Bifulco A (in press) When the parents maltreat their young: The developmental roots of psychopathology. Caretti, V., & Craparo, G. (eds.), (2007 or 2008). Trauma e Psicopatologia. Roma: Astrolabio.
Bifulco A (in press) Risk and resilience in young Londoners. In (Eds, D. Brom, R Pat-Horenczyk & J, Ford) Treating traumatised children: Risk, resilience and recovery.
Bifulco A & Moran P (2007) Il Bambino Maltrattato. Le radici della depressione nel trauma e nell’abuso infantile. Casa Editrice Astrolabia.
Bifulco A. (2006) Childhood experience and sexual offending – the use of the Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse (CECA) interview in forensic psychology research and practice. L’evaluation diagnostique des agresseurs sexuel. (Ed Thierry Pham) Editions Mardaga, Belgium.

Journal articles
Davidson J, Bifulco A, Thomas G & Ramsay M (2006). Child victims of sexual abuse: Children’s experience of the investigative process in the criminal justice system. Journal of Practice,18¨247-263
Figuieredo, B, Bifulco A, Paivia C, Maia A, Fernandes, E & Matos, R (2004). History of childhood abuse in a representative series of Portuguese parents. Child Abuse and Neglect, 28: 671-684
Moran, PM, Bifulco A, Ball C, Jacobs C & Benaim K (2002) Exploring psychological abuse in childhood. I: Developing a new interview scale. (Bulletin of Menninger Institute, 66: 213-240.
Bifulco, A, Moran PM, Baines, R, Bunn A & Stanford K (2002). Exploring psychological abuse in childhood: II: Association with other abuse and adult clinical depression. (Bulletin of Menninger Institute, 66: 241-258
Bifulco A., Moran PM, Ball C, Jacobs C, Baines R, Bunn A & Cavagin J (2002). Childhood adversity, parental vulnerability and disorder: Examining intergenerational transmission of risk. Journal Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 43, 1075-1086]

Julia Davidson is Professor of Criminology and is Director of Research in Criminology at Kingston University, she is also Co-Director of the newly formed Centre for Abuse & Trauma Studies (with Professor Antonia Bifulco, Royal Holloway University of London). Professor Davidson has conducted a considerable amount of research in the criminal justice area and has a PhD in Criminal Justice Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science. She has extensive experience of applied policy and practice research and has directed work with young victims, serious violent and sexual offenders, criminal justice practitioners and sentencers. Funded research directed by Professor Davidson includes:

A longitudinal study evaluating the impact of community treatment programmes on convicted child sexual abusers undertaken on behalf of the National Probation Service (2003);
A study funded by the Metropolitan Police Authority and Crimestoppers, which explored child safety on the internet and the role of the police in raising awareness amongst children about sexual abuse (2005);
An evaluation and overview of approaches to risk assessment and management of Internet sex offenders funded by the Risk Management Authority (Scotland) (2007);
An exploration of young victims experiences and perceptions of the investigative process, funded by the Metropolitan Police Child Abuse Investigation Command (with Professor Bifulco, RHUL - 2007, ongoing).
A study exploring young people’s Internet risk taking behaviours and awareness of Internet safety (funded by the National Audit office and CEOP, published 12/2009). 6. She is currently co- directing the first European study of Internet groomers with partners in Norway, Italy and Belgium the study is funded by the EC Safer Internet Programme. Professor Davidson is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy(2009 - 2011).

Professor Davidson has published extensively in the child and Internet abuse area Her 4th book will be published in July 2011 ( Davidson, J & Hamerton, C. ‘International Perspectives on Child Victimisation’. Routledge). She provides regular expert advice on criminal justice issues to the media and has recently worked on documentaries for the BBC and ITN (she has worked with ITV Evening News, the ITV News Channel, BBC News Channel , BBC Radio Four Woman’s Hour, BBC Five Live Radio, BBC 2 , BBC Northern Ireland, Al Jazeera and Sky News) . The ITN Evening News team have recently run an extended news item on Professor Davidson's research, and the findings were also featured on BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour.

Latest Publications

BOOKS
Davidson, J. (3/2008) ‘Child Sexual Abuse, Media Representation and Government Reactions’ (Series Eds D. Downes and P. Rock, London School of Economics) Routledge. ISBN: 978-1-90438569-1 (4th book in social policy series)
Davidson, J and Gottschalk, P ‘Online Groomers Profiling, Policing and Prevention’ Russell House (2010)
Davidson, J and Gottschalk, P (Eds) (2010) ‘Internet Child Abuse: Current Research, Policy & Practice’ Routledge (7/2010)
Davidson, J and Hammerton, C ‘International Perspectives on Child Victimisation’ Routledge (Forthcoming 7/2011)

ARTICLES AND BOOK CHAPTERS
Davidson, J., Martellozzo, E. (8/2008) ‘Protecting Children in Cyberspace’, ‘Sex Crime’ (Eds) Letherby, G., Birch,P., Cain, M. and Williams, K. Wilan Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-84392-267-4
Davidson, J. (3/2009) ‘Internet Sex Offenders:’ ‘Folk Devils’ and State Surveillance’ in ‘Individual Freedom, Autonomy and the State’ Eds Johnson, M & Sclater, S (Socio-Legal Research Group, Cambs). Hart Press
Davidson, J & Martellozzo, E (5/2009) ‘Globalization, Urbanization & Security’ in ‘Urbanization, Policing & Security: Global Perspectives’ Cordner G, Cordner AM , and Das D ,( editors). Routledge
Davidson, J (2010) ‘Legislation and policy: protecting young people, sentencing and managing Internet sex offenders’ in Davidson, J and Gottschalk, P (Eds) ‘Internet Child Abuse: Current Research, Policy & Police Practice’ Routledge
Davidson, J (2008) ‘Protecting vulnerable young people in cyberspace from sexual abuse: raising awareness and responding globally’ Police Practice & Research: An International Journal
Davidson, J (2010) ‘Digital forensics in law enforcement: The case of online victimization of children’ Electronic Government: An International Journal
Davidson, J & Bifulco, A (2010) ‘Investigative Police Practice in the UK: Achieving Best Evidence in Work with Young Victims of Abuse’ Pakistan Journal of Criminology, Special Edition – International Perspectives on Child abuse
Davidson, J., Quayle, E & Morganbasser, L (Eds) (2010) ‘Special issue: Child sexual abuse and the Internet: Offenders, victims and managing the risk’ Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol 16, 1. Routledge
Davidson, J., Quayle, E & Morganbasser, L (Eds) (2010) ‘Special issue: Child sexual abuse and the Internet: Offenders, victims and managing the risk’ Journal of Sexual Aggression, Vol 16, 2. Routledge
Davidson, J & Gottschalk, P (2011) ‘Characteristics of the Internet for Criminal Child Sexual Abuse by Online Groomers’ Critical Journal of Crime, Law and Society. Vol 24, 1, 2011. Routledge.

RESEARCH REPORTS
Webster, S., Davidson,J., Bifulco, A., Pham,T., Caretti,V (2009) ‘European Online Grooming Project : Progress Report Covering period: 1 June 2009 – 31 December 2009’ (7/2010 forthcoming at http://www.natcen.ac.uk/study/european-online-grooming-research)
Davidson, J & Grove-Hills, J (2010) ‘ European Online Grooming Project Literature Review & Overview of European Legislation’ (7/2010 forthcoming at http://www.natcen.ac.uk/study/european-online-grooming-research)
Davidson, J & Lorenz, M (2009) ‘CEOP & NAO Evaluation of TUK Programme and Young People’s Internet Safety Research. Report One - Survey Findings’ Unpublished
Davidson, J., Lorenz, M., Grove-Hills, J., & Martellozo, E (2010) ‘Evaluation of CEOP ThinkUknow Internet Safety Programme & Exploration of Young People’s Internet Safety Knowledge: Final Report’ – Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies and Kingston University available at www.cats-rp.org.uk
Davidson, J., Huq, R., Seetzen, H & Grove-Hills, J (2010) ‘Towards Engaging with and Understanding Three BME Communities in Kingston: Identity, Interaction, Belonging and Belief’ Report prepared for the Metropolitan Police (ESRC funded study).
Davidson, J & Martellozzo, E (2010) ‘State of the Nation Review of Internet safety in the Kingdom of Bahrain’
http://www.tra.org.bh/en/pdf/SafeSurf_TRA_Report.pdf
http://www.tra.org.bh/en/pdf/SafeSurf_TRA_Summary.pdf

Christopher Hamerton’s role as Director of CATS Legal Studies encompasses the direction and management of professional legal studies and socio-legal research. Christopher holds degrees in Law (LLB (Hons), BCL) and Criminal Justice (MA) as a graduate of the Universities of Oxford and Southampton. In addition, he is a Barrister of the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute (FRAI) in 2008 following research on legal pluralism. Christopher joined Kingston University in 2010 having previously held posts at the University of Westminster, the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and the University of Southampton. He is co-author with Julia Davidson of International Perspectives on Child Victimisation (Routledge, 2011), and is currently writing monograph texts on Cybercrime, and the Historiography of Law. His research interests include inter alia Victimology, Cybercrime, Fraud, and International Legal Response to Transnational Crime.

CATS Advisory Group

(alphabetical)

Dr Fadheela Al-Mahroos MD, MHPE (Consultant. Pediatric Department. Salmaniya Medical Complex, Kingdom of Bahrain)

Vittoria Ardino (Senior Lecturer, Criminal Psychology, London Metropolitan University; leader of task force on trauma ESTSS (European Task Force for Traumatic Stress Studies) (www.estss.org)

John Azah (Kingston Race and Equality Council)

Richard Bentall (Psychology Professor, Bangor University)

Arnon Bentovim (Forensic Psychiatrist, Trustee Lucy Faithful Foundation, Consultant to SWAAY, co-director Child and Family Training (www.childandfamilytraining.org.uk)

Vincenzo Caretti (Professor of Developmental Psychopathology, University of Palermo, Sicily and Dynamic Psychology, University of La Sapienza, Rome)

John Carr (Chair of Children's Coalition on Internet Safety - CHIS)

Julian Dunn (Social Worker, Head of Therapy at SWAAY, Rehabilitating Abused Abusers www.swaay.co.uk)

Rachel Edwards (Forensic Psychologist, SWAAY, Rehabilitating Abused Abusers, (www.swaay.co.uk)

Hilary Eldridge (Chief Executive, Lucy Faithfull Foundation: working to protect children (www.lucyfaithfull.org)

David Foreman (Consultant Psychiatrist CAMHS, Isle of Man; Visiting Professor, Department of Health and Social Care, Royal Holloway University of London)

Ron Giddens (Director of Operations' St Christopher's Fellowship www.stchris.org.uk)

Alisdair Gillespie (Barrister & Reader in Criminal Law, Leicester De Montfort Law School - De Montfort University)

Petter Gottschalk (Professor of Information Technology and Knowledge, Management at the Norwegian School of Management and a lecturer and supervisor at the Norwegian Police University College)

Anna Gupta (Senior Lecturer in Social work & Child Guardian, Royal Holloway, University of London)

Ruth Pat Horencyk & Danny Brom (Psychologists, CHERISH Centre for Treatment of Psychotrauma, Herzog Hospital, Jerusalem (www.projectcherish.org).

Adele Jones (Professor of Childhood Studies, Director of The Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield)

Shy Keenan ('The Phoenix Chief Advocates' – advocate group for child sexual abuse victims and support for families of children murdered by child molesters www.tpcauk.com)

Dr Paul Kiff (Criminologist, University of East London, Consultant Social Return on Investiment (SROI) www.nef-consulting.co.uk; Expert in ICT)

Dr Andrew King (Sociologist; Department of Criminology and Sociology, Kingston University London)

Gill Mezey (consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Reader at St George's University of London)

Fionn Murtagh (Professor, Royal Holloway, University of London; Expert in ICT)

Paula Nicolson (Professor of Health Psychology, RHUL)

Tink Palmer (CEO Marie Collins Foundation)

Gordon Parker (Head of Children's Services (UK), St Christopher’s Fellowship – housing association & children's charity providing residential and foster care. www.stchris.org.uk)

Thierry Pham (Professor of Forensic Psychology University of Mons-Hainaut, Belgium and Director of Centre of Research in Social Defense, Tournai, Belgium)

Duska Rosenberg (Professor Emeritus, Royal Holloway University of London)

Betsy Stanko (Professor of Criminology, RHUL and Metropolitan Police Senior advisor)

Geraldine Thomas (Research Psychologist, RHUL and Child Therapist, NHS)

Stephen Webster (Forensic Research Psychologist at National Centre for Social Research (www.natcen.ac.uk) International