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Professional Perspectives on the Irish Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Qualitative Analysis.

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Title: Professional Perspectives on the Irish Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Qualitative Analysis.
Authors: Hamilton, Kelly1 (AUTHOR), Brennan, Maggie1 (AUTHOR) Maggie.Brennan@dcu.ie
Source: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. Nov2025, Vol. 34 Issue 8, p879-901. 23p.
Subject Terms: *Policy sciences, *Qualitative research, *Research, *Research methodology, Child sexual abuse & psychology, Prevention of child sexual abuse, Victims, Digital technology, Adult child abuse victims, Interviewing, Statistical sampling, Social worker attitudes, Descriptive statistics, Police psychology, Sound recordings, Thematic analysis, Patient-centered care, Attitudes of medical personnel
Geographic Terms: Ireland
Abstract: Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) poses risks to the wellbeing of survivors, families, and society. The purpose of this exploratory research was to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities of the Irish response to CSAE based on perceptions of professionals involved. The sample (n = 10) consisted of professionals from various fields, representing legal, social work, practitioners, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) relating to CSAE prevention or intervention work. Qualitative data was collected via one-to-one structured interviews. Data was thematically analyzed. Four main themes arose: (1) ease of access; describing accessibility to problematic material, perpetrators' access to children, and access of big tech to children. (2) Awareness; detailing parental awareness of CSAE, awareness of the prevalence of children with harmful sexual behaviors (HSB), as well as education on CSAE. (3) Resources; referring to pressure on NGO's and charities to combatting CSAE, funding required, a lack of policy and regulations to protect children, and availability of accessible services to victims and families. (4) Victim-focused; acknowledged by a need for holistic prevention, a more equitable justice system, and advocacy for victims' independent needs and ongoing respectful care. The results highlight the ongoing and accelerating use of technology in CSAE perpetration, calls for greater awareness and resources by professionals combatting CSAE, and the need to consider holistic preventative strategies, as well as individualized care for survivors. These insights have implications for practitioners and policy makers concerned with strategies of CSAE prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Child Sexual Abuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
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  Data: Professional Perspectives on the Irish Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Qualitative Analysis.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hamilton%2C+Kelly%22">Hamilton, Kelly</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Brennan%2C+Maggie%22">Brennan, Maggie</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> Maggie.Brennan@dcu.ie</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Child+Sexual+Abuse%22">Journal of Child Sexual Abuse</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 34 Issue 8, p879-901. 23p.
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– Name: Abstract
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  Data: Child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) poses risks to the wellbeing of survivors, families, and society. The purpose of this exploratory research was to identify challenges, gaps, and opportunities of the Irish response to CSAE based on perceptions of professionals involved. The sample (n = 10) consisted of professionals from various fields, representing legal, social work, practitioners, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) relating to CSAE prevention or intervention work. Qualitative data was collected via one-to-one structured interviews. Data was thematically analyzed. Four main themes arose: (1) ease of access; describing accessibility to problematic material, perpetrators' access to children, and access of big tech to children. (2) Awareness; detailing parental awareness of CSAE, awareness of the prevalence of children with harmful sexual behaviors (HSB), as well as education on CSAE. (3) Resources; referring to pressure on NGO's and charities to combatting CSAE, funding required, a lack of policy and regulations to protect children, and availability of accessible services to victims and families. (4) Victim-focused; acknowledged by a need for holistic prevention, a more equitable justice system, and advocacy for victims' independent needs and ongoing respectful care. The results highlight the ongoing and accelerating use of technology in CSAE perpetration, calls for greater awareness and resources by professionals combatting CSAE, and the need to consider holistic preventative strategies, as well as individualized care for survivors. These insights have implications for practitioners and policy makers concerned with strategies of CSAE prevention and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Child Sexual Abuse is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=191012206
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1080/10538712.2025.2581870
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 879
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Policy sciences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Qualitative research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Research methodology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Child sexual abuse & psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Prevention of child sexual abuse
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Victims
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Digital technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adult child abuse victims
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Statistical sampling
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social worker attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Descriptive statistics
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Police psychology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sound recordings
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Thematic analysis
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Patient-centered care
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Attitudes of medical personnel
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ireland
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Professional Perspectives on the Irish Response to Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation: A Qualitative Analysis.
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            NameFull: Hamilton, Kelly
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            NameFull: Brennan, Maggie
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            – D: 01
              M: 11
              Text: Nov2025
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
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