Author Description

This book prompts deeply disturbing questions about the position of disadvantaged and vulnerable young people in Britain today...socially isolated, lacking appropriate support systems and positive helping networks, struggling with issues of selfesteem and self-worth, in need of support and encouragement from practitioners. Taking account of the commercial sexual exploitation of children and young people (male or female - up to age 18) and the selling or 'swapping' of sexual 'favours' for some form of reward, as well as the production, sale, marketing and possession of pornographic material involving children; the distribution of pornographic pictures of children over the internet; and trafficking in children. This book addresses: how these commercial practices have come about; how young people become involved; what subsequently ensnares them; what needs to be done in practice in order to respond effectively to the young people's needs; what we have learned about what should not be done.Professionals from voluntary and statutory sector organisations, social work, youth work, the police - often working in partnership - share what has worked for them and for the young people with whom they are concerned. They explain how they deliver the services that these young people so desperately need. The outcome is an exciting opportunity for us to learn from each other and make massive steps forward in our work. We hope that practitioners will feel they need this book and that it will help them to reflect on and develop their own practice in this field. The editors also argue that these services need to be 'mainstreamed' and attract resources, as well as regular and appropriate support for practitioners, enabling them to: be patient and offer a non-judgemental and non-discrimnatory ear and hand; establish trust and let the child know that they are 'there for them'; keep going in an area of practice where there are no magic wands or overnight solutions; work together over the al