CSP 16-Understanding Youth Offenders and Youth Exploitation with Nikki Holmes
Child exploitation is a serious problem. Many youths are coerced and manipulated to engage in violence, abuse, and criminality. We can be quick to pass judgement on those who get on the wrong side of the law. But the issue of exploitation doesnât start with the crime and end with youth offenders in handcuffs. Itâs a complex web of circumstances and contexts. Todayâs guest believes that it shouldnât end with youth offenders behind bars.
In this episode, Nikki Holmes dives deep into the issue of child exploitation. She discusses the factors that make young people vulnerable. Nikki also shares how organisations and gangs exploit these unmet needs for their gain. Finally, we learn about the work that still needs to be done to safeguard our youth from exploitation.
Tune in to gain a new perspective on child exploitation and youth offenders.
Here are three reasons why you should listen to the full episode:Understand why youth offenders are victims too.
Learn what contributes to vulnerability and how it leads to exploitation.
Find out what you can do to safeguard the future of our youth and society.
ResourcesReach out to Nikki through Safer Together: https://www.safer-together.co.uk/ (website) | https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057047576413 (Facebook)
Episode HighlightsNikkiâs BackgroundNikki has always been interested in crime, society, and why people do what they do.
She was the first person in her family to go to university, as well as the first police officer.
Learning criminology in university ignited her passion to join the police force.
Nikki was sheltered and wasnât streetwise, so her mum worried about the things she would witness and how she would react.
Joining the PoliceNikki joined the police at 21. Prior to this, she led a good, supportive life with her mum.
Her first shift changed her perception of the world and society.
She was assigned to one of the most notorious areas in Coventry for youth offenders.
Despite the challenges, this experience gave her the best foundation for what she does now.
Making a DifferenceNikki had every intention of staying in the police force. However, she eventually became disillusioned.
She wanted to understand why people act the way they do and how we can tackle it.
The cycle of putting the people in cuffs, bringing them to court, and making them serve time frustrated Nikki.
Nikki wanted to solve the problem rather than simply catch offenders.
The Victim-Offender Overlap and Youth OffendersVictims and offenders are often viewed as binaryâa person can only be one of either.
However, after tackling child exploitation, Nikki realized that the situation is more nuanced and complex.
Youth offenders are often those who have witnessed or been victims of crime at one point.
Leaving the PoliceNikki involved herself in holistic assessment for youth offenders. Here, she learned to understand their backgrounds.
The process of constantly locking up offending youth didnât align with her values.
She wanted to understand special education needs and disabilities and their impact on youth offenders.
So, after eight years, Nikki left the police.
Experiences After Leaving the PoliceNikki later worked in substance misuse where she was involved in a creative multi-agency approach.
Working as a Childrenâs Services Inspector taught her to look at the overarching view of problems.
She learned why things are not working and why systems don't adequately protect children.
Also, she came to know how the youth mistrust safeguarding.
So, she put up a consultancy to support organisations that protect children.
Nikkiâs Consultancy WorkNikki is currently heading a project on child exploitation. Here, she works closely with other agencies and professionals.
The police are now increasingly recognising that youth offenders are also victims.
