Children Facing Sexual Allegations

Allegations of sexual offences present unique and complex challenges for children accused of them. The stigma and potential for a lasting criminal record can have life-long consequences. Paradoxically, some of the very laws intended to protect children from exploitation by adults are now being applied to prosecute children themselves.

With allegations on the rise, join our panel of experts as they explore the critical issues at play in these cases — and discuss how we can work towards better outcomes for children.

Our experts speakers are:

Dr Oliver Eastman

Dr Oliver Eastman is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who works in both private practice and front-line services. He has extensive experience of managing, developing, and delivering services for children and young people displaying harmful sexual behaviour. He is currently the clinical lead within the National Clinical Assessment and Treatment Service (NCATS). This is an NSPCC national centre of expertise on children and young people who sexually harm others. He has a particular interest in developing a whole family response for children and families affected by sibling sexual abuse. He also has a strong interest in online sexual offending and contributed to the development of the AIM Technology Assisted HSB practice guidance. He is actively involved in training and research, and regularly presents at conferences. He also recently co-developed an evidence-based programme for parents and carers of children who have engaged in harmful sexual behaviour (‘Safe Home’). Between 2010 and 2018, he managed the ‘Youth in Need’ assessment and treatment service for adolescents convicted of sexual offences (aged 16-21). This service was jointly funded by the NHS and National Probation Service. His private practice includes preparing forensic assessment reports for the parole board and criminal and care proceedings.

Rachel Haynes

Rachel Haynes is Head of Clinical Services for Children and Young People at the Lucy Faithfull Foundation (LFF). Managing an experienced team of practitioners, Rachel oversees LFFs services for young people, including clinical assessments and interventions, young people’s programmes and the Shore website. Rachel delivers clinical work with children, young people and families where there are concerns regarding problematic/harmful sexual behaviour and provides training and consultancy to external professional. Rachel is a qualified social worker, registered with Social Work England and has undertaken a variety of roles in her career including in statutory child protection and acute psychiatric care settings.

Aika Stephenson

Aika founded Just for Kids Law alongside Shauneen Lambe in 2006 and remains the Legal Director. She is a solicitor and youth justice expert with 20 years experience representing young people in criminal proceedings. Aika started her career working for the Children’s Society at Feltham Young Offenders Institute as an Advocate before going on to Westminster Youth Offending Team.

Aika represents young people at every stage of the criminal justice system, from the police station to the Supreme Court. She is driven by a determination to bring about systemic change that benefits all children and young people caught up in the criminal justice system. She has pioneered employing cutting-edge arguments to ensure she gets the best possible results for her young clients, particularly those with special educational needs. She has had a high level of success using the Modern Slavery Act to ensure that vulnerable young people who have been groomed by gangs into selling drugs are recognised as victims, rather than treated as offenders.

Aika is the author of In Their Defence: Fighting for Youth Justice One Child at a Time.