2PS: Prevention = Proactive Approaches to Child Protection

Prevention—doesn’t it just make sense?

Working in the security domain is incredibly diverse. It brings together experts from different fields—law enforcement, analysts, therapists, academics, etc.—each contributing specialised knowledge to tackle complex societal issues. One such challenge, and perhaps one of the most pressing, is the prevention of child sexual abuse and sexual exploitation.

When the Horizon 2020 call for projects aimed at improving the fight against child sexual abuse was launched, the team behind the Prevent and Protect Through Support (2PS) initiative immediately recognised the value for a multi-layered, ‘holistic’ approach. While detection and intervention remain crucial, prevention must be prioritised to stop harm before it occurs. This aligns with the EU’s strategy for a ‘More Effective Fight Against Child Sexual Abuse’.

Why Prevention Matters

From years of research and forensic data (albeit derived from individuals convicted of sexual offences), we understand some critical truths:

• The prevalence of child sexual abuse and exploitation is staggering. Yet, disclosure—if it happens at all—often takes more than 20 years.
• There are significant numbers of individuals—primarily men—who have a sexual interest in children.
• Not all individuals who commit abuse are motivated by sexual interest; other risk factors influence their behaviour.
• Reoffending rates (recidivism) for child sexual abuse are surprisingly low compared to other crimes (estimated between 3-10%).

These findings highlight key takeaways:

✔ Early intervention is critical—harm often goes undetected, at least for many years.
✔ The risk of harm is multi-faceted—it is not solely driven by sexual interest.
✔ Prevention protects children—by stopping abuse before it happens, we safeguard children from lifelong trauma and protect those indirectly connected with the harm (family members, partners, etc.)
✔ Behaviour change is possible—many individuals can learn to control and redirect harmful tendencies through appropriate intervention.

The challenge, however, lies in shifting the focus towards prevention. Despite the growing body of evidence supporting perpetrator prevention, decision-makers and funders often remain hesitant. Without widespread recognition of the benefits of preventative approaches, progress will remain slow and the devastating ripple effects of child sexual abuse will persist.

The Risk and Desistance Hexagon: A Supportive Tool for Practitioners

2PS offers a number of innovative initiatives addressing this challenge. One of them is the Risk and Desistance Hexagon, a structured decision-making tool designed for professionals working in child protection, law enforcement, and therapeutic support. The Hexagon complements existing approaches to risk assessment, which can be broadly categorised into Clinical, Statistical and Structured Professional Judgement.

Developed under the leadership of Professor Nicholas Blagden from the University of Derby, the 2PS team has created the Hexagon, which helps practitioners navigate complex risk and intervention strategies.

During a recent pilot training at the Knowledge Transfer Workshop in Brussels on the 30^th January 2025, professionals were introduced to the Hexagon as a way to evaluate risk, guide intervention, and ultimately prevent harm. The overarching goal is to help professionals make informed decisions.

 This Hexagon is intended to help:

• Assess the need for early intervention with individuals who are sexually interested in children, individuals with allegations of harm or those who may be a person of concern. They do not need to have previously committed a sexual offence;
• Guide interaction, intervention and support for the person of concern;
• Protect children from harm;
• Support individuals seeking help in managing inappropriate desires.

The model consists of different domains that reflect significant risk factors:

• • Sexuality;
  • Antisociality;
  • Mental health;
  • Self-regulation;
  • Relationships;
  • Lifestyle and context.

After assessing the risks, practitioners review desistance factors that support healthier choices and behaviour patterns. This includes:

• • Agency;
  • Prospects;
  • Contentment;
  • Network;
  • Relationships;
  • Meaningfulness / Purposefulness.

The Hexagon Model comprises two stages of assessment (a Rapid Assessment Radar and an extended Risk and Desistance Radar) and recommendations for interventions outlining how to proceed with the case. Combining both aspects in an iterative way allows the practitioners to get a sense of progress and how an individual’s situation evolves over time.    

To support the Risk and Desistance Hexagon, practitioners will receive guidance and notes on how to utilise the solution in practice. This intervention framework covers key areas such as:

✔ Assessing the need for early intervention;
✔ Supporting individuals with a variety of factors that contribute to increased risk;
✔ Guiding professionals on how to interact and intervene;

The pilot training brought together professionals from law enforcement, helplines, and therapeutic services, allowing them to apply the Hexagon to real-world scenarios. Through structured discussion and an example case study, they explored how to make informed decisions, address disclosure challenges, and fill critical gaps in existing prevention strategies. Further details about the session will soon be available on the 2PS project website.  For more information about the Hexagon, please reach the project team.

A Collective Responsibility

Preventing child sexual abuse is not a secondary goal—it is the most effective way to protect children and reduce long-term societal harm. Each individual case of abuse represents a web of consequences, affecting not just the victim but families, law enforcement, judicial systems, and social services.

This is why projects like 2PS (and other prevention initiatives) are essential. They provide practical, evidence-based tools that help professionals intervene before abuse occurs. Yet, for prevention to be truly effective, it requires commitment from policymakers, funders, and practitioners alike.

If we fail to act – and don’t continue to build on the strong foundations created in these initiatives – we risk allowing the cycle of harm to continue. But by embracing preventative strategies, supporting perpetrator-focused interventions, and equipping practitioners with the right tool, it will help create a future where fewer children suffer the consequences of abuse.

Prevention is child protection… and it just makes sense!