Durham part of new Barnardo’s centre of expertise

Durham University is a partner in a new £7.5m Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse launched by the UK Home Office and led by Barnardo's. The Centre will become the authoritative source of research and knowledge on tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation. It is part of a package of measures, announced by the UK Government, to protect children and young people from sexual abuse, exploitation and trafficking, and to crack down on offenders. Professor Simon Hackett , from the School of Applied Social Sciences at Durham University and a member of the new Centre's Steering Group, has been working closely with Barnardo's on developing the Centre and met with the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, as part of the launch. His research focuses on child sexual abuse and safeguarding children. He said: "This is an unprecedented opportunity to improve responses to children and families affected by sexual abuse and exploitation. "Together with colleagues in the Centre, we'll undertake research about the varying forms of sexual abuse, including what is effective in protecting children who have been victimised and what kinds of support families need.