Exploratory study of the scale and nature of sexual exploitation of adults and young people in Thurrock

Victims, and potential victims, of adult sexual exploitation will be better protected thanks to a ground breaking study carried out by Thurrock Safeguarding Adults Board (TSAB) and The Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit at London Metropolitan University (LMU).

Sheila Coates MBE, Director SERICC (South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre) said: “As a specialist Thurrock based sexual violence and abuse service we welcome the CWASU study and look forward to the development of a proactive whole systems approach, to aid the understanding, identification and responses to victims-survivors and their families. The comprehensive information within the report will be invaluable to all partner agencies when developing services to improve the lives of victims-survivors.”

Report Acknowledgements

We are extremely grateful to all practitioners across Thurrock who completed the
survey. We would like particularly like to thank professionals in the following
agencies who, in difficult circumstances, gave generously of their time and provided
data, expertise and took part in interviews. This study would not have been possible
without all of their efforts:


  • Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust
  • Essex Police
  • Inclusion Thurrock
  • Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
  • North East London NHS Foundation Trust
  • Oakwood Place Sexual Assault Referral Centre
  • Provide
  • South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre
  • Thurrock and Brentwood Mind
  • Thurrock Council Children’s and Adults’ Social Care
  • Thurrock Lifestyle Solutions


We also extend sincere thanks to Levi Sinden, who commissioned the research and
was a thoughtful and supportive influence throughout, and to the Sexual Exploitation
Task and Finish group for supporting and offering feedback on the research.