Participation with Purpose - Guidance for applying the Lundy model of participation in the context of child sexual abuse and exploitation

This resource was co-developed with YRAP (Young Researcher’s Advisory Panel), Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire and designed by Ronan Haughey from Creative Sparks.

The Lundy model is an internationally recognised model developed by academic Laura Lundy for conceptualising a child's right to have their views heard and given due weight. In this guidance we take the four elements of the model: Space, Voice, Audience and Influence, and explore the key considerations for each in the context of CSA/E work with children and young people. 

Here's what YRAP said about why this guidance is important:

"Space, voice, audience and influence aren't given to young people affected by sexual abuse and exploitation enough, when they not only deserve it, but desperately need it. So, this tool creates an ability to enhance these elements for young people. It is a starting point for what, I hope, will influence more tools and more awareness for young people affected by sexual violence."

"The guidance matters to me because it enables children and young people to be seen and respected in a way that matters to them, and is safe. When young people experience abuse, a lot of things can feel like they are just happening to or around them, so it’s good to put the focus on the individual young person themselves, and allow them the space to breathe and give them some control."

"The guidance material is important because it ensures that young people’s voices are heard, respected and acted upon safely and meaningfully."

'What is CS?' - a workbook for practitioners and young people to support understanding of Contextual Safeguarding

What is Contextual Safeguarding and how this be explained to young people? This resource has been developed with the YRAP (Young Researcher’s Advisory Panel), Safer Young Lives Research Centre at the University of Bedfordshire and designed by Meera Shakti Osborne.

Aimed to support professionals in to have discussions about harm outside of home and introduce Contextual Safeguarding approaches to young people, this resource also has tips and advice for young people and a section where they can write down their own reflections on their safety in different contexts.

The YRAP explained:

"Our vision is that the resource will be filled out by the child with help from their safe adult to help think through safety in different spaces. This pack will then be part of their own personal care package with lots of information about their context and ways that others can support them in making them feel safe and protected.

Having an artist make our vision come to life gives it a personal touch and we understand that as young people when we are handed a piece of paper or a pack and it doesn't feel relatable, accessible and frankly looks quite boring and corporate it is hard to feel like you are being understood and it's difficult to engage with the information you are being given.

Her art is powerful and depicts people of all walks of life, we wanted the young people to see themselves in the design and relate to it."

Please see the following resources :

Contextual Safeguarding Digital Resource - Full Web Version [PDF]

Contextual Safeguarding Digital Resource - Mini Web Version [PDF]

Contextual Safeguarding Digital Resource - Mini Print Version [PDF]

Other YRAP Resources

Participation as protective - infographic - Web version [JPG]

Participation as protective - infographic - Print version [JPG]

YRAP members designed an infographic with artist Zuhura Plummer to show how young people's participation in research and services can be protective at an individual level and for young people more widely.

Participatory groupwork with young people affected by sexual violence: risks, challenges, benefits [PPT slides]

At the IASWG (International Association for Social Work with Groups) virtual symposium in June 2021, we presented our work on the risks, challenges and benefits of participatory groupwork with young people affected by sexual violence.

YRAP Stories [PDF]

Four of our YRAP members share some thoughts about their motivations and hopes for the YRAP.

Creating a safe space [PDF]

Ideas for the development of participatory group work
to address sexual violence with young people.

YRAP members helped create these comic postcards with the Alexi Project, sharing 10 key principles for working with young people affected by CSE.