Relationship between child neglect and forms of sexual harm explored

A series of evidence reviews by the NSPCC, Action for Children and Research in Practice explores the relationship between child neglect and three other forms of harm – child sexual exploitation (CSE); adult perpetrated intra-familial child sexual abuse (IFCSA); and harmful sexual behaviours (HSB).

Neglect has been chosen as the focus of the study as it is the most common form of child maltreatment – research shows one in six young people report experiencing neglect in childhood – and its affects can be significant, enduring and heightened by poverty. In addition, the prevalence of neglect is increasing – the NSPCC’s How Safe Are Our Children 2016 report shows neglect cases recorded by police have risen 75 per cent in the past decade.

The three reviews draw on emerging research to outline the characteristics and prevalence of the different forms of harm (see panel), and identify correlations between each one and neglect. It also makes recommendations for how practice needs to change to better address children’s needs.

The reviews are drawn together in a report to be published this month, a summary of which has been shared with CYP Now, to help improve knowledge and practice of frontline workers, service leaders, commissioners and policymakers.

The researchers point out that the evidence to date indicates “connections rather than causality” between neglect and forms of harm. “The scopes are not predictive, but they may help us understand how neglect influences vulnerability to CSE, IFCSA and HSB,” it states.

Another key message is that abuse is the responsibility of the perpetrator. The report does not seek to blame parents, but offer suggestions on how they can be supported to better protect children.

What is neglect?

Neglect is the most common reason for a child to be subject to a child protection plan or on the child protection register.

In England, neglect is defined by the government as “the persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development”.

There are six recognised forms of neglect: when a parent or carer fails to meet a child’s educational, emotional, medical, nutritional, physical or supervisory needs.

The review highlights how neglect can occur over a long period, sometimes making it hard for child protection professionals to spot. “Neglect rarely manifests in a crisis that demands immediate action, it commonly occurs alongside other forms of abuse and practitioners may become accustomed to the chronic nature of neglect.”

The impact of neglect can result in insecure attachments, low self-esteem and confidence, delayed cognitive development, poor school attainment and aggressive behaviour. Longer term impacts include mental health problems, antisocial behaviour and violence, substance misuse, physical health problems and risk of suicide.

Neglect and CSE

Overall research suggests there is a link between neglect experienced in childhood and later experience of CSE – but it is a complex one.

Long-term US studies have found sexual abuse and neglect experienced before the age of 11 each increased the risk of a person becoming a prostitute by age 29. Childhood neglect also increased the likelihood of a child running away from home and being sucked into exploitative relationships, drug misuse and street gangs.

There is strong evidence that neglect impairs cognitive and language skills, and children with learning difficulties are at greater risk of sexual victimisation. “It is plausible that young people with lower cognitive abilities are less able to detect or escape perpetrators’ grooming and entrapment strategies… [who] may specifically target these young people as being easier to exploit,” the review states.

The long-term impact of neglect on a child’s ability to make friends, have a positive view of themselves and enter into exploitative relationships to fill unmet needs for love also increase their vulnerability to CSE.

Practice implications