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Despite representing a vast and global concern, the narratives of children who experience child sexual exploitation (CSE) and access associated services are marginalised within research. As an outcome, relatively little is known about how children cope with the impact and consequences of their experiences. This paper draws together methodological insights from researchers reflecting upon three distinct pieces of qualitative fieldwork conducted with children and young people considered 'vulnerable' to, and 'at risk of', CSE. In doing so, we seek to recognise the challenges encountered when conducting research with vulnerable populations and explore the 'blurry boundaries' that researchers tread in order to balance competing power dynamics. This paper will discuss potential safeguarding concerns that arise when conducting sensitive research and will share our experiences of supporting young people to take part in research around child sexual exploitation. We will reflect upon the research process to highlight some of the strategies adopted to enable young people to engage in data collection safely. We consider the dynamic ethical practices that take place in the moment of research encounters, alongside the framework of procedural ethics, to conclude that both are fundamental to enable meaningful participation in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study is an examination of a sample of 114 female juveniles charged with arson in a large juvenile justice system. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the limited descriptive literature about female juvenile arsonists. Methods. Female juvenile arsonists who had been charged with an arson were explored regarding their experiences of family disorganization, abuse and neglect, school issues, substance abuse, mental health, and crime characteristics. Group and solo arson offending was explored in depth. Subjects were from a large US southern state and included all the girls charged with arson over a 5-year period from 2001 to 2005. Results. The female juvenile arsonists were often from profoundly unstable homes, experienced difficulty with school attendance and behaviour, had little or no contact with at least one parent, and were in a crisis at the time of the arson offence. Arson crimes committed by juvenile female offenders were most often at school and were a result of an accidental or impulsive act. Solo female juvenile arsonists had more instability in their homes, poorer school enrollment, increased experiences of limited contact with a parent, often felt upset, angry, and expressed suicidal thoughts when compared to group female juvenile arson offenders. Conclusions. Female juveniles who commit arson alone present very different risk factors and immediate problems than those who commit arson in a group; they likely need very different treatment. Juvenile arson crimes should be seen as warning signal given out by youth in distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]