Director of the Institute of Applied Social Research, Director of the International Centre for the Study of Sexually Exploited and Trafficked Young People
I am interested in the social construction of youth and in studies of youth culture. In particular I focus on young people, sexual exploitation, child protection and domestic violence. I teach research methods that can be used to access and engage with socially excluded young people. I am particularly interested in focusing on the marginalisation of categories of youth.
I draw on teaching methods that engage students in using findings from recent research and in considering the relationship between research, policy and practice.
My work with Eurochild and with The Council of Europe ‘One in Five’ Campaign is extending to review participatory methods used to engage children and young people in preventing sexual violence against children.
Research Interests
My research interests focus on accessing young people's accounts of their experiences of child sexual exploitation. This explores questions of risk and resilience, gender and sexual identity, domestic and interpersonal violence and the social construction of ‘adolescence’, ‘agency and victimhood’ and ‘self determination’.
As an action researcher, I ensure that my research develops in relationship with policy and practice. I explore the different research methods that can be used in research with and for young people. This means addressing questions of access, user participation, representation and authenticity of voice.
Service to the Academic/Professional Community
- Associate Editor: Child Abuse Review and Youth and Policy
- Member of Eurochild (Brussels) ‘Policy Steering Group’
- Co-ordinator of the University of Bedfordshire and Barnardo’s Child Sexual Exploitation Research Forum
Recent Publications
Books
- Pearce, J.J, Hynes, P and Bovarnick, S (2012 forthcoming) 'Practitioners responses to trafficked young people: breaking the wall of silence' London: Routledge Falmer
- Pearce, J.J. (2009) Young People and Sexual Exploitation: 'It's not hidden, you just aren't looking'. Routledge Falmer.
- Thom, B., Sales, R., and Pearce, J (Eds) (2007) Growing up with risk Policy Press
- Pearce, J.J. with Williams, M and Galvin, C (2002) It's Someone Taking a Part of You: a study of young women and sexual exploitation London: The National Children's Bureau. ISBN 1-900990-83-0
Book Chapters
- Pearce J, J and Warrington, C (2012 forthcoming) ‘Participation and Practice: Hearing sexually exploited young people’s voices through art and drama’ in O’Neill, M and Campbell, R Arts, sex work and sexual exploitation Policy Press
- Pearce J,J (2010) ‘Preventing sexual abuse through child participation’ in The Council of Europe Publication: ‘Protecting children from sexual violence - A comprehensive approach’ Council of Europe. Strasbourg ISBN 978-92-871-6972-3
- Pearce, JJ (2010) ‘Young People, Participation and Empowerment’ Introduction to Chapter 2: Participation and improving services in The Eurochild publication “Valuing children’s potential” Eurochild, Brussels.
- Pearce, J,J (2009) Beyond Child Protection: young people, social exclusion and sexual exploitation in Phoenix, J (ed) Regulating sex for sale: prostitution policy reform Policy Press: 121-137
- Pearce J. J (2007) ‘Sex, risk and resilience in adolescence’ in Coleman, J. and Hagell, A. Adolescence, risk and resilience: against the odds London: John Wiley
- Pearce J.J (2007) ‘Risk and resilience: A focus on sexually exploited young people’ in Thom, B. Sales, R and Pearce, J. `Growing up with risk’ London: Policy Press
- Pearce, J.J (2006) ‘Finding the ‘I’ in sexual exploitation: hearing the voices of sexually exploited young people in policy and practice’ in Campbell, R and O’Neill. M. Sex Work Now Willan Press: 190-212 ISBN 1-84392-096-4
Articles in Peer-reviewed Journals
- Pearce, JJ (2012) ‘What’s Going On’ to safeguard children and young people from child sexual exploitation: A review of Local Safeguarding Children Boards’ work to protect children from sexual exploitation? Submitted for publication: Child Abuse Review
- Pearce, JJ (2011) ‘Working with Trafficked Children and Young People: Complexities in Practice’ British Journal of Social Work 41(8): 1424-1441
- Pearce, JJ (2010) ‘Young People, sexual exploitation and trafficking: Contemporary issues in connecting discourses of child abuse and child protection’ in Pearce JJ and Melrose M (joint editors) Sexual Exploitation and Trafficking: Where is the understanding of the child in contemporary practice in the UK? Journal of ‘Youth and Policy’: Special Issue on young people and sexual exploitation and trafficking of young people: contemporary debates Number 104
- Pearce J.J. (2007) Joint Editor (with Phoenix, J) of a Special edition on ‘The prostitution strategy: how will it impact on community safety?’ ‘Editorial’: pages 3 – 7 The Community Safety Journal. ISSN 1477-5883
- Pearce, J.J. (2006) ‘Who needs to be involved in safeguarding sexually exploited young people?’ Child Abuse Review Vol 15: 326-340 ISSN 0952-9136
Research and Campaign Reports
- Pearce, JJ with Massey, B (2012) Challenging Sexual Violence in Europe: Using participatory Methods with children Strasbourg, Council of Europe
- Pearce and Jago (2011) ‘What’s going on’ to safeguard children from sexual exploitation: research briefing: University of Bedfordshire.
- Pearce, J and Pitts, J (2011) Youth Gangs, Sexual Violence and Sexual Exploitation: a scoping exercise : The Office of the Children’s Commissioner, England
- Pearce, JJ (2010) Rapporteur report: Consultation with experts on the prevention of sexual abuse of children: Preparation of the Council of Europe Campaign to stop sexual violence against children 2010. The Council Of Europe, Strasbourg, France
- Pearce, JJ., Hynes, P., and Bovarnick, S (June 2009) Breaking the Wall of Silence: practitioners’ responses to trafficked children and young children. London, NSPCC
- Jago, S. and Pearce, J (2008) Gathering Evidence of the sexual exploitation of children and young people: a scoping exercise. Bedfordshire University: Luton
Links
Contact Details
Luton campus
Park Square
Luton, LU1 3JU
T: +44 (0)1582 743034
E: jenny.pearce@beds.ac.uk
