Media and News

CATS Advisory Group member awarded an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen

12 June 2010

John Carr, Secretary of the UK Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety and long time campaigner for improved child safety on the internet has today been honoured with an OBE by Her Majesty the Queen.

John was an early user of the internet and was also one of the UK’s first internet columnists with a regular monthly slot in Prospect, the current affairs magazine. However, two things triggered his interest in the child safety dimension of cyberspace. First and foremost his own children started using it and, about the same time back in 1996, he was approached by one of the UK's largest children's charities, Action for Children, for his professional advice on the public policy implications of the mass roll out of what was then for almost everyone a brand new phenomenon. It rapidly became clear to John that as the internet started to develop into a mass consumer product some very important safety and security issues needed to be addressed that were particularly important for new users in general and children and young people in particular.

John Carr said "I am deeply moved and honoured to have my work recognised in this way. However I am very keen for this award also to be seen as an acknowledgement of everything Britain’s children’s charities have been doing for many years to help make the internet an even better place than it already is.”

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CHILD INTERNET SAFETY DAY:
'Internet Grooming: Understanding offender behaviour and protecting young people'

26 March 2010, House of Lords

The Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies held a successful event at the House of Lords to raise awareness about the threat posed to children by online groomers. This outlined research on how the Internet as well as other technologies such as mobile phones, are used to select, groom and prepare young people for sexual abuse.

The event was Chaired by John Carr, Secretary of the Children's Charities' Coalition on Internet Safety, and hosted by CATS with the two directors Prof. Julia Davidson (Kingston University) and Prof Antonia Bifulco (Royal Holloway, University of London) introducing the session and describing preliminary findings from the European Online Grooming Project funded by the European Commission Safer Internet Programme and including partners in Italy, Norway and Belgium. A summary of these findings may be found below.

The afternoon included presentations from Mark Williams-Thomas MA (who presented the recent ITN series 'To Catch a Paedophile') who argued that the police should work more pro-actively in undertaking covert work to detect online grooming and that a properly funded, nationally co-ordinated policing response is needed. Dr Elena Martellozzo from Middlesex University presented findings from a PhD study spanning 5 years which included an ethnographic of police practice at the Metropolitan Police High Technology Crime Unit, Dr Martellozzo described policing practice and offender online behaviour. In her presentation she described differences in individual’s grooming approach and explored the increased use of webcams and mobile phones in accessing children and young people.

The event was well attended by representative from the police, CEOP, Social and Health Services, NGO’s, children charities and social networking sites such as Facebook. A lively discussion followed the presentations and issues including offender behaviour and early experience of abuse; the legal context of online grooming; the nature of the relationship between the perpetrator and the child and young people’s understanding of online risk were raised. The seminar emphasised the need for more research and further dissemination of information about the risks of internet abuse to the public, police and social services and to internet providers.

View powerpoint presentations of the Event:
Summary of European Online Grooming Project, by Profs Davidson and Bifulco
Social Networking Sites: How Can This Phenomenon be Successfully Policed, by Mark Williams-Thomas MA
Policing Online Child Sexual Abuse: Understanding Grooming in the 21st Century, by Dr Elena Martellozzo.

National Centre for Social Research: European Online Grooming Project

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CATS Internet Safety Courses

Child Internet Safety one-day courses for professionals are now running, with our next generic courses planned for late autumn this year. Visit our Training section for more information.

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WORKSHOP:

The two sides of trauma - victim and offender experience: Childhood violent trauma and PTSD in forensic settings - focus on assessment and treatment

European Society for Trauma and Stress Studies (ESTSS) with Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies (CATS)

Thursday 15th April 2010, London Metropolitan University

ESTSS working with CATS held its first one-day workshop on PTSD in relation to offender populations. The day was hosted by Dr Vittoria Ardino at London Metropolitan University, and Professor Antonia Bifulco (Royal Holloway, University of London and Professor Julia Davidson (Kingston University) also presented at the workshop. The inter-disciplinary approach reflected the forensic psychology, lifespan psychology and criminology approaches respectively.

The workshop was well attended, with professionals from the prison service, youth offending, and children’s services. The morning was devoted to outlining research models to increase understanding of PTSD in offenders and assessment of childhood trauma and the afternoon, following group discussion, focused on treatment issues.

Dr Ardino in her presentation ‘neurobiology and cognition of trauma and criminal behaviour’ outlined the biological underpinnings of PTSD and complex PTSD. She called for further integration of trauma-criminal behaviour models and research into offense-related PTSD which is ‘unchartered territory.’ Professor Bifulco presented ‘ Attachment style as a framework for linking trauma and offending’ where she outlined attachment theory and adult attachment styles and the research examining attachment styles in offending behaviour, particularly around disorganised attachment. Professor Davidson presented ‘Understanding sex offender behaviour: trauma and experience in early lives, denial and blame attribution’. Her she examined her research into sex offenders’ childhood experience, emphasising physical abuse and hostile parenting, and looking at associations with cognitive biases. These presentations served to show interactions between biological, cognitive, behavioural and social factors in leading to high rates of PTSD in violent and sex offender populations. Professor Bifulco then discussed issues of assessment of early life trauma: ‘Childhood Experience of Care and Abuse: Assessment issues’. In this she outlined a standardised semi-structured interview of childhood neglect and abuse (www.cecainterview.com) and showed associations with offending behaviour. She particularly focused on psychological abuse, which is ill-defined in the research and treatment literature and has high rates in offending groups. She outlined the current use of the CECA as a standard assessment in the high security prison at Whitemoor and in young sex offender treatments in SWAAY.

In the afternoon, Dr Ardino presented ‘Treating PTSD in offender populations’ outlining CBT, EMDR and other treatment approaches, and needs in complex PTSD diagnoses. Prof Davidson then focused on treatment of sex offenders: ‘Treatment approaches in sexual offending’ outlining the current Sexual Offenders Treatment Programme, commenting on its strengths and weakness. She also examined the treatment of internet sex offenders.

There was a high level of discussion which focussed on issues around constraints on treatment in the prison service both in terms of time and flexibility of treatment. This is particularly difficult given the co-morbidity of disorders usually presented. Other issues concerned engagement with the treatment process, avoiding superficial engagement which fulfils prisoner requirements but will not lead to meaningful change. Other points raised were around the type of offender behaviour (for example domestic violence) and its possible relationship to PTSD and to treatment programmes. Greater demand for training of professionals in the field in both research models, assessments and treatment were called for. Professionals wanted a voice in trying to change the current restrictions on treatment in prison services. Comments were made about the helpfulness of the models and tools presented in helping in social work with children Looked After. Issues around secondary trauma in practitioners were raised with the need for effective supervision. The research disputes between those investigating PTSD and those investigating complex PTSD were also raised.

The day was deemed a success in terms of the ‘knowledge exchange’ from research to practitioners. A high degree of varied expertise was shown by the presenters, and the audience contributed with questioning of current practice in the field and in understanding the latest research presented.

ESTSS and CATS hope to present more such one-day workshops.

The workshop was accredited for ESTSS members to the European Centificate in Psychotraumatology.

Download workshop presentations:
Introduction to workshop
Ardino: PTSD, Criminal Behaviour, Biology
Bifulco: Attachment, Trauma, Offending
Davidson: Childhood Trauma Sex Offenders
Bifulco: Assessing Childhood CECA
Ardino: Treating PTSD in Forensic Settings
Davidson Treatment Sex Offenders

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Upcoming books

Internet Child Abuse: Current Research and Policy, Edited by Julia Davidson, Petter Gottschalk, provides a timely overview of international policy, legislation and offender management and treatment practice in the area of Internet child abuse. Internet use has grown considerably over the last five years, and information technology now forms a core part of the formal education system in many countries. There is however, increasing evidence that the internet is used by some adults to access children and young people in order to ‘groom’ them for the purposes of sexual abuse; as well as to produce and distribute indecent illegal images of children. This book presents and assesses the most recent and current research on internet child abuse, addressing: its nature, the behaviour and treatment of its perpetrators, international policy, legislation and protection, and policing. It will be required reading for an international audience of academics, researchers, policy makers and criminal justice practitioners with interests in this area.
Publication date: March 2010
Pre-order the book from Routledge
Pre-order the book from UK Amazon

International Perspectives on Child Victimisation, by Julia Davidson and Christopher Hamerton, offers a comprehensive overview of the established themes and emergent debates relating to the abuse and victimisation of children. Highlighting key areas of global concern, and illustrated with detailed case studies of important developments, Julia Davidson and Christopher Hamerton address child abuse, child poverty, child exploitation, child prostitution, and child imprisonment within the context of children's rights, and international legal and policy issues. Their focus in this regard is on the ‘place’ of the child in the context of current victimology and social justice discourses, as they explore the social, cultural, and political context of international child victimisation. A solid introduction to child victimisation for both undergraduate and postgraduate audiences, this book will also appeal to practitioners and policy makers engaged in child protection and intervention.
Publication date: June 2010
Pre-order the book from Routledge
Pre-order the book from UK Amazon

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European Online Grooming Project in the media:

Sexual Offenders Use the Internet to Fast Track Abuse of Children - articles on research findings by Science Daily and by Telegraph

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Final report on young people's internet use

Research led by prof Davidson and funded by the National Audit Office and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre has been published by the NAO. The research included an online survey of 11-16 year olds (n= 1808) & focus groups (n=83) with young people in the UK. Key findings suggest that a substantial proportion of children reported having engaged in high risk behaviour online (defined by degree to which they share information with strangers), 37% had shared an email address; 34% provided information about the school they attended; 23% provided a mobile number; 26% a personal photograph. A significant proportion said they will continue with such behaviour following Internet safety training (particularly 13+), only 36% said Internet safety training would make them more careful online. Focus group findings indicated that interacting with strangers (i.e. adding them as ISM or Facebook friends and exchanging messages) is becoming an accepted behaviour not perceived as ‘risk-taking.

Download the full report here

Download NAO memorandum Staying safe Online here

Media reports on the findings:
The Scotsman: online bullying affects one in five
Community Care News
MSN news portal
Kingston University News
Parental Control website
Adoption UK
Children and Young People Now
New Scotsman
Yorkshire Evening Post

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CATS studenships news

CATS first PhD Studentship is to be taken up by Nicola Dillon in January 2010. Nicola will be supervised by Profs Davidson & Bifulco. The research will focus upon cyberstalking and the experiences of adult Internet users.

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CATS in the media:

Professor Julia Davidson, CATS co-director commenting on BBC Radio4 Woman's Hour on online grooming and young people's online safety: link

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SWAN seminars and workshops:
INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACHES TO ABUSE AND TRAUMA IN OFFENDERS

South West London Academic Network - Interprofessional Institute (SWAN-IPI): A cross-institution series of seminars & workshops, with the aim of generating expert discussion and collaborative working across three Universities. One seminar per term, beginning on 25 November at Kingston University: Reviewing offender behaviour and profile in relation to experience of victimisation/trauma.

Next workshop is scheduled for 27 January 2010 and will be hosted by prof Antonia Bifulco at Royal Holloway University of London. The workshop will focus on measurement issues and lifespan risks and vulnerabilities in offenders around experiences of abuse and trauma.

more details on CATS SWAN Starter Grant

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New book:

Online groomers
Profiling, policing and prevention
By Julia Davidson and Petter Gottschalk

The Internet has greatly facilitated the ways in which paedophiles can groom children and young people. This important book offers numerous new insights and, in the process, provides a sound conceptual approach to understanding continuing developments in issues such as characteristics of the Internet and how these are explored and exploited by sexual offenders to groom their victims, legislation against online grooming, the conviction and treatment of offenders… read more

order the book

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CATS in the media

Interview with Professor Julia Davidson, CATS co-director, on Jaycee Lee Dugard’s case: Jaycee Lee Dugard’s captor would have carefully groomed her, according to a Kingston University expert (link to full article)

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Past Events

Routemapping Event at the House of Lords

A one-day 'Routemapping' event was held on 11th May by the Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies. A group of experts gathered for the first time in the House of Lords to share their knowledge on the prevention of child abuse and reduction in cases of child deaths. The meeting, entitled ‘Route Mapping Event on Child Safeguarding’, focused on concerns around the scapegoating of workers in child protection and sought to find ways of improving staff morale, recruitment, training and management. The Directors were joined by academic experts as well as representatives from the fields of social care, health, police and legal services, who were able to pool their expertise and ideas on how better care for maltreated children might be provided.

The event, which was introduced by Baroness Thornton, made use of the Route Mapping technique, formalised by the University of Cambridge, which derives from the field of manufacturing as an efficient way of providing practical solutions to logistical problems. Professors Bifulco and Davidson hope that the outcomes of events such as these, along with the research group’s ongoing work, will influence government policy on social care services, which has been shown to be lacking in such recently high-profile cases as that of Baby Peter.

Baroness Thornton opened the day by giving her support to the project, emphasising the problems faced and the importance of the work being carried out. The day saw intensive discussion with a focus on practical solutions, and will result in a report to be circulated to policy makers and heads of services shortly, with the findings also being published in relevant health and social care outlets. (a report has now been produced and submitted to the Social Work Task Force, and can be viewed here)

Professor Bifulco says, ‘It is hoped that the focus on practical and workable methods of prevention in cases of children at risk of abuse will prove to be an effective response to what many specialists are lamenting as an overly bureaucratic and target-driven procedural process, which is seen by many to limit the effectiveness of many children’s social services’. Professor Davidson added, ‘University centres such as CATS can help to research better methods of working in multiagency teams, to help children and families’.

Professor Bifulco and Professor Davidson are supported by over 25 specialists from fields including criminology, psychology and law, who between them will form the CATS Advisory Group, participating in ongoing research and contributing to the reduction of preventable cases of abuse towards children.

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CATS LAUNCH

Centre for Abuse and Trauma Studies launched on 27 March

Centre for Abuse and Trauma studies officially launched on Friday 27 March, with a launch event held at the historic Reform Club in London. The background and aims of the centre were presented to an audience of professionals by its directors Professor Julia Davidson, a criminologist from Kingston University, and Professor Antonia Bifulco, a psychologist from Royal Holloway, University of London. “The aim of this new centre is to bring together a pool of experts, including academics in criminology, psychology and sociology as well as police officers, social workers, health workers, lawyers and teachers. They will work together on research and ways to improve training for professionals involved with children and families,” Professor Davidson said. “We hope this will ultimately help to reduce abuse suffered by children. It will also hugely improve the ability of different agencies to work together to look for solutions to child abuse.”

CATS will also look at ways to improve detection of child abuse to help prevent future cases like Baby P. “Some of the other important research projects to come out of the centre will include work on how social workers assess child abuse cases, exploring how using more systematic assessment tools can help social workers to collect more reliable information. CATS will also be working with young people in care to see how interventions by social workers and health professionals after abuse has been detected, can help ensure a better outcome.” A series of workshops and training to help boost skills among professionals in the latest research and assessment tools are planned.

Peter Scott, Vice Chancellor of Kingston University, and Stephen Hill, Principal of Royal Holloway, University of London, welcomed the new centre and expressed commitment by the two universities towards promoting teaching and research excellence, and knowledge dissemination, and their joint sponsoring of CATS. Tony Greenwood Director of Research and Enterprise (RHUL) spoke on the importance of knowledge exchange and promoting enterprise in universities in partnership with public and voluntary services and the community.

Commander Peter Spindler, of the Metropolitan Police, revealed groundbreaking research carried out by CATS looking into children’s willingness to report sexual abuse. The study, funded by the Metropolitan Police, will track the experiences of children and young people from the time a crime is reported through to the court proceedings. The study will focus on children and young people’s perception of the judicial process, their willingness to report sexual abuse and their experience of the investigative process. “There has never been a more important time for the academic community to step forward and provide their perspective on the challenging world of child abuse. Professionals are so immersed in addressing the symptoms and manifestations of abuse they rarely have the time or resources to analyse the issues and tailor their response accordingly. I am convinced CATS will be a valuable asset to this never-ending fight for the most vulnerable in society.”