An evaluation of the adequacy of safeguarding and inspection regimes in UK YOIs with regard to peer-on-peer sexually harmful behaviour

Abstract

For a number of years, research has identified that sexual harm to children is often committed by other children and is an issue of concern in the UK. Responses have often focused on the perpetrator and the child's home environment. More recent studies have shown that extra-familial harm is also commonplace in contexts outside the home and that understanding the environmental as well as personal factors which enable or hinder sexually harmful behaviour (SHB) can improve the response to peer-on-peer SHB. This thesis set out to explore peer-on-peer SHB in young offender institutions (YOIs) to understand the influence, if any, of the unique environment on adolescent SHB. The methods changed during the course of the study due to significant challenges in gaining access to YOIs. Primary data was based on 10 interviews with a participant group identified from among a range of professionals from youth justice, training, safeguarding, prison inspection, law, and prison design. Interviews with children were not conducted. Secondary data from reports of the prison inspectorates was used to supplement primary data.Using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory to analyse the data, this study demonstrates there is little recognition of peer-on-peer SHB in YOIs. The risk to boys may be exacerbated by the chaotic environment and routinely violent interactions on the wing which hinders the development of close, trusting adult/child bonds. The evidence suggests that boys will rarely 'snitch' on another boy and just want to survive their time in the YOI. This thesis demonstrates that the turbulent environment and harmful norms within YOIs may provide the conditions which facilitate peer-on-peer SHB. The lack of transparency in these institutions, at a distance from the outside world, highlights that children who may be 'out of sight and out of mind' may be at greater risk than children in community settings. It is, therefore, imperative that institutional leaders, their regulators and partners understand the nature of the environment and are able to effectively respond to peer-on-peer SHB. This thesis advocates the continued development of a framework to assess the capability of responding to SHB in YOIs and other closed institutions which house children.

Date of Award	13 Mar 2024
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Bedfordshire
Supervisor	Jenny Pearce (Supervisor) & Carlene Firmin (Second supervisor)