Tell us about yourself

I am currently a Professor of Forensic and Criminal Justice at Liverpool John Moores University and Principal Research and Evaluation Officer at the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, I specialise in sexual violence prevention and safeguarding vulnerable populations. I collaborate with stakeholders to improve policy and practice, leading and partnering on multi-disciplinary research projects with government agencies, criminal justice and health services, NGOs, and academic partners in the UK, North America, and the Global South.

My work bridges research and frontline practice, informing national and international policy through major reviews and interventions on child sexual abuse, risk management, and desistance. As Research Committee Chair and board member of the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abuse, I champion ethical, evidence-based practice and knowledge exchange.

An advocate of interdisciplinary collaboration and co-production with affected communities, My work has demonstrable impact on policy, practice, and the lives of those most at risk, reflecting my deep commitment to social justice and public protection.

Why did you want to become a Research Affiliate?

I was keen to become a Research Affiliate of the Vulnerability & Policing Futures Research Centre because I believe in the transformative potential of collaborative, interdisciplinary research to address complex social harms. The Centre’s commitment to bridging academic insight with real-world policing and policy resonates with my own values and career trajectory. As someone who has worked extensively at the intersection of research, practice, and policy, I am passionate about contributing to a community that prioritises evidence-based, ethical, and impactful approaches to vulnerability.

Affiliation with the Centre provides a unique platform to share and further develop my work on child sexual abuse prevention, desistance, and trauma-informed practice, while learning from and collaborating with leading scholars and practitioners. I was particularly drawn to the Centre’s emphasis on partnership, knowledge exchange, and the co-production of solutions with those affected by vulnerability and policing. I see this as an opportunity to amplify the reach and impact of my research, contribute to innovative projects, and support the Centre’s mission to create safer, more just communities.

How does your research connect to the Centre’s mission and values?

My research is strongly aligned with the Centre’s mission to drive innovative, evidence-based approaches to vulnerability and policing. Throughout my career, I have worked closely with police forces, government agencies, and safeguarding partners to improve the identification, assessment, and management of risk in cases of sexual violence and child sexual abuse. At the centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, I led the perpetrator strand of the national review into child sexual abuse in the family environment and co-authored key resources for police and practitioners, including “What you need to know about child sexual abuse” and the “Child sexual abuse in 2023/24: Trends in Official Data” report.

My other research includes developing a desistance practice framework for police-led management of people with sexual convictions and evaluating risk management tools used in policing. These projects directly inform operational practice and policy, ensuring that policing responses are trauma-informed and grounded in the latest research. I am committed to bridging the gap between academic research and frontline policing, co-producing resources and training with practitioners to enhance safeguarding and public protection. By championing collaborative, multi-agency, and survivor-centred approaches, my work directly supports the Centre’s vision for safer, more just communities.