Profiling peer-on-peer abuse

Abstract

Since 2013 the MsUnderstood Partnership (MSU), led by the University of Bedfordshire, has been working with local areas across England to develop responses to peer-on-peer abuse which are: a) Contextual: Engage with the families, peer groups, schools and public, neighbourhood spaces associated to peer-on-peer abuse b) Holistic: Recognise the intersecting dynamics of peer-on-peer sexual exploitation, serious youth violence, harmful sexual behaviour and teenage relationship abuse which are often subject to siloed definitions and responses Informed by a contextual audit, MSU delivered support plans with 11 participating local safeguarding children’s boards, comprising six sites. Each site received a different package of support designed to build on the strengths identified during their audit process. One site was a cluster of six London boroughs – Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Hackney, and Islington – referred to as the North London (NL) Cluster. In the NL Cluster one area of activity focused upon building profiling capacity through the delivery of a support package to analysts. This briefing has been co-produced by the University of Bedfordshire with analysts who participated in the support programme. It aims to share lessons learnt from the process with other