Balancing Justice and Welfare Needs in Family Group Conferences for Children with Harmful Sexual Behavior: The HSB-FGC Framework

ABSTRACT

In England and Wales, family group conferences (FGCs) are most often found either in the field of youth justice or in the field of child protection, and consequently often have priorities in line with either one of the two systems. On the one hand, FGCs are a restorative justice tool to address offending behavior and hold young perpetrators to account, while giving victims the possibility of contributing to the justice process. On the other hand, FGCs address safeguarding concerns and are used to plan for child safety and protection. In cases where a young person has sexually harmed another young person, that is, has perpetrated harmful sexual behavior (HSB), all young people involved will have both justice and welfare needs. FGCs are emerging as promising mechanisms in such cases, not only because of their ability to deal with both sets of needs for both young people but also because of their potential to address more holistic needs. However, HSB cases are often complex and sensitive, and are not without risk. Drawing on their experiences in research and practice, the authors explore how the holistic needs of both the harmed and harming individual can be balanced within a risk managed HSB-FGC framework.

KEYWORDS:

• Family group conference
• harmful sexual behavior
• justice needs
• sexual abuse
• welfare

Disclosure of Interest

The authors declare that they have no conflicts to report

Ethical Standards and Informed Consent

This study is a review and did not involve the use of human subjects. Therefore, IRB approval was not necessary, and the informed consent procedure was not required.

Notes

¹ While the authors fully acknowledge the problematic nature of the terms, “perpetrator” and “victim” are nevertheless used in this article for ease of understanding.

² For more information see the Family Rights Group website: www.frg.org.uk.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Monique Anderson

Monique Anderson’s current PhD research (KU Leuven), examines the justice needs of young people in intrafamilial sexual abuse cases among minors. Formerly the European Forum for Restorative Justice’s Executive Officer, Monique’s previous roles include: Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Coordinator (Home Office Neighbourhood Crime and Justice Unit), Community Safety Coordinator, roles within Youth Offending Teams and Prisoner Officer. Monique holds a Master’s in Criminology, a PGdip in Forensic and Legal Psychology and a BSc in Psychological Sciences.

Kate Parkinson

Kate Parkinson has been a lecturer at the University of Salford since 2013. Before that she worked as a children and families social worker for 15 years in both the statutory and voluntary sectors. While there, Kate established an advocacy service for children and young people attending child protection conferences and a family group conference service. Kate also managed four Sure Start Children’s Centres, developing services in response to local need.