The research, based on a study of 100 local safeguarding children boards (LSCBs), also found that only a quarter of areas have a dedicated coordinator to oversee efforts to prevent child sexual exploitation and only 38 per cent of boards have a sub-group to address the problem.
Meanwhile, 64 per cent of LSCBs have "no plans" to appoint a coordinator to lead work in this area and one third have "no plans" to develop a strategy for dealing with child sexual exploitation; with some explicitly stating that the issue was not a priority for them.
As part of the study, researchers reviewed the details of 1,065 cases of child sexual exploitation. They found that data collection and monitoring of cases is "piecemeal and inadequate".
Children were most frequently exploited by an older boyfriend or girlfriend, but in 27 per cent of the cases the type of exploitation was identified as "peer on peer".
The research also confirmed that a high proportion of sexually exploited young people "go missing", while others are trafficked within the UK for sexual exploitation.
A disproportionate number of looked-after children were victims of sexual exploitation, the report said, yet victims were frequently placed in residential care, despite the fact that care homes are known to be "targets" for exploiters.
The report recommends that all LSCB chairs, directors of children’s services and childcare professionals should receive training on child sexual exploitation. It also suggests that LSCBs should be required to monitor and submit annual data on the issue.
The report’s authors, Professor Jenny Pearce and Sue Jago, have now been commissioned by the Office of the Children’s Commissioner (OCC) to look into gang-associated sexual exploitation of children and young people as part of its national inquiry into child sexual exploitation in gangs and groups.
Pearce said: "It is the first time that research has fully explored how child protection and community safety strategies can work together to prevent gang-associated sexual exploitation. We are delighted to have been commissioned to do this research and look forward to working with the OCC on this project."
