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In a ground-breaking move, Plymouth City is exploring the potential of piloting a new community-based prevention programme aimed at addressing child sexual abuse (CSA) through a public health approach. The initiative, known as the HARP Programme, is designed for adults with an enduring sexual attraction to children who have not been convicted of sexual offences. The initiative is being driven by Plymouth Together for Childhood and has multi-agency support.

Commissioned by Plymouth City Council and the University of the West of England (UWE), Circles South West undertook a Feasibility Study with the aim of understanding if Plymouth has the conditions and processes in place to pilot a community secondary prevention service for adults with an enduring sexual attraction to children but who are non-convicted and claim not to have ever offended. This was driven by the assumption that community prevention activity has the potential to broaden Plymouth’s wider approach to preventing violence (including sexual violence) and to improve our understanding about how shame and stigma make it difficult for adults with an enduring sexual attraction to children to access help and support. The Feasibility Study highlighted the urgent need for such a service to prevent CSA, and emphasized the significant mental health challenges faced by those with such attractions, often leading to isolation and distress.

The HARP Programme is designed to offer psychological support, reduce stigma, and promote self-management among participants. By addressing these issues proactively, Plymouth hopes to set a new standard in CSA prevention, prioritizing the well-being of both potential victims and those at risk of offending. If realised, the HARP Programme could serve as a model for other communities across the UK and beyond.

With support from the Serious Violence Duty Fund via Plymouth City Council, Phase 2 development is now underway, including concrete proposals and recommendations to pilot a HARP project. It is being proposed that a pilot programme would involve 20 men who self-refer.  They would be offered a bespoke, psychologically informed and carefully delivered 1:1 intervention to address the issues that are impacting on them with the aim of preventing them ‘crossing the line’ to offending against children.  An important part of Phase 2 has been to consult with the public and professionals in the city and explore their views of the HARP project. It also includes presenting a fully costed project model, producing a ‘social return on investment’ (SROI) and making suggestions as to how the pilot could be evaluated and funded. It is recommended that, on the assumption of the city’s readiness and funding dependent, Phase 3 comprises a pilot HARP programme.

Jamie Stephenson said:

“This is an extremely exciting project and is part of a groundswell of change (research, academic and practice based) across the globe in recognition that the prevention of child sexual abuse needs to take a health approach rather than leaving the criminal justice system to pick up the pieces after a sexual offence against children has been committed”.

Study Findings on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

1. Scale of the Problem:
   • In 2022, 106,984 child sexual abuse offences were reported in England and Wales, marking a 7.6% increase from 2021.
   • 73% of these offences involved contact sexual offences against children, while 27% were related to indecent images of children.
   • 52% of the reported offences involved children (aged 10 to 17) offending against other children, with 14 being the most common age.
2. Impact on Victims:
   • The study highlighted the profound and long-lasting impact of CSA on victims, affecting their personal identity, relationships, and overall life trajectory.
   • Victims reported enduring mental health challenges and significant distress throughout their lives.

HARP Programme Details

1. Programme Design:
   • The HARP Programme is a strengths-based harm prevention initiative for un-convicted adults with a self-identified, enduring sexual attraction to children.
   • It aims to improve self-management, alleviate mental distress, and prevent potential harm by offering psychological support and reducing stigma.
2. Feasibility Study:
   • Conducted over six months in 2023/24, the study assessed the need and demand for such a preventative service both locally and nationally.
   • It included a literature review, consultations with potential service users, and focus groups with local professionals.
3. Key Findings:
   • The study estimated that around 4,500 men in Plymouth might be troubled by their sexual attraction to children.
   • It identified a significant gap in secondary prevention services in the UK, particularly for adults who have not offended but are at risk.
   • The study emphasized the importance of shifting the perception of CSA prevention from a criminal justice issue to a broader public health issue.
4. Challenges and Recommendations:
   • The study acknowledged the complexity and emotive nature of providing a preventative service for adults with a sexual interest in children.
   • It recommended further exploration of Plymouth’s readiness for the HARP programme, including strategic commitment, partner support, and community consultation.
   • The study also suggested a pilot HARP programme in Plymouth, modelled on successful international initiatives like New Zealand’s Stand Strong Walk Tall (SSWT).