Running from hate to what you think is love: The relationship between running away and child sexual exploitation

Since the 1990s research focused on running away, child sexual exploitation (CSE) and youth homelessness has documented that an intrinsic relationship exists between running away and CSE. A review of this research literature (Smeaton, 2011)1 reveals that:

  • None of the research projects addressing running away have explored the issue of CSE in depth. A 2009 study (Smeaton, 2009)2 exploring the experiences of particularly vulnerable and marginalised young people who become detached from parents and carers for four weeks or more offers the most in-depth exploration of the relationship between running away and CSE. However, these findings cannot be applied to all young people who run away.
  • While sexual exploitation is experienced by some children and young people who run away, research findings suggest that the majority of young runaways do not experience CSE.
  • The limited evidence relating to practice responses to young people who run away suggest that, while there are examples of good practice, because of the challenges involved in working with young people who experience both running away and CSE, it can be difficult to achieve positive outcomes.
  • Previous research has started to explore the relationship between running away and CSE but there is need for research that explicitly explores this relationship. In running away and CSE in England, which was funded by Comic Relief. This report presents our findings.

In recognition of this gap in learning, Barnardo’s and Paradigm Research developed a proposal to undertake an action research study to address the relationship between running away and CSE in England, which was funded by Comic Relief. This report presents our findings.
The remainder of this introductory section of the report focuses upon the following:

  • defining running away and CSE used in the research and the report
  • setting the policy and practice context of running away and CSE in England
  • providing details of the action research study addressing the relationship between running away and CSE, including the research methodology and the consultation with young people and professionals.

 Reproduced with permission from Barnardo's, 2013