Introduction: Critical perspectives on child sexual exploitation and related trafficking

In 2004 one of the editors of this volume noted that, in the UK, awareness of the issue of child sexual exploitation (CSE) amongst policy makers and practitioners had advanced remarkably since the introduction of Government guidance in 2000 (DoH/HO, 2000) as had practice expertise. At that time this was evidenced by the fact that there were, for the first time, a variety of ‘models’ in different projects for developing services to provide appropriate responses to meet the needs of young people affected by CSE (Melrose with Barrett, 2004). The critical perspectives presented in this volume on a range of topics further demonstrate the extent to which our knowledge and understanding have developed since that time. We are now able not only to acknowledge the assortment of concerns relating to young people affected by CSE and related trafficking, but also to reflect the critical thinking about these subjects that has developed over time.