Meeting the needs of sexually exploited young people: the challenge of conducting policy-relevant research

Abstract

This article is concerned with the relationship between research, policy and service development. It outlines some of the findings of a two-year research study exploring the extent of, and responses to, the service needs of young people at risk of sexual exploitation in London. The study is described as a case study in conducting policy-relevant research into a ‘hidden’ social problem. Some challenges of such research are identified. In particular, we discuss our utilisation of the Multiple Indicator Method as a means of estimating a ‘hard to count’ population. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.