Screening for Child Sexual Exploitation in Online Sexual Health Services: An Exploratory Study of Expert Views.
J Med Internet Res
; 19(2): e30, 2017 02 14.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-28196790
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Sexual health services routinely screen for child sexual exploitation (CSE). Although sexual health services are increasingly provided online, there has been no research on the translation of the safeguarding function to online services. We studied expert practitioner views on safeguarding in this context.OBJECTIVE:
The aim was to document expert practitioner views on safeguarding in the context of an online sexual health service.METHODS:
We conducted semistructured interviews with lead professionals purposively sampled from local, regional, or national organizations with a direct influence over CSE protocols, child protection policies, and sexual health services. Interviews were analyzed by three researchers using a matrix-based analytic method.RESULTS:
Our respondents described two different approaches to safeguarding. The "information-providing" approach considers that young people experiencing CSE will ask for help when they are ready from someone they trust. The primary function of the service is to provide information, provoke reflection, generate trust, and respond reliably to disclosure. The approach values online services as an anonymous space to test out disclosure without commitment. The "information-gathering" approach considers that young people may withhold information about exploitation. Therefore, services should seek out information to assess risk and initiate disclosure. This approach values face-to-face opportunities for individualized questioning and immediate referral.CONCLUSIONS:
The information-providing approach is associated with confidential telephone support lines and the information-gathering approach with clinical services. The approach adopted online will depend on ethos and the range of services provided. Effective transition from online to clinic services after disclosure is an essential element of this process and further research is needed to understand and support this transition.Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Enfermedades de Transmisión Sexual
/
Maltrato a los Niños
Tipo de estudio:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Med Internet Res
Asunto de la revista:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
Año:
2017
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido