University of Liverpool Researcher Advances New Frameworks to Strengthen Responses to Child Criminal Exploitation

Shelley Cathers is a final year PhD student in the Department of Psychology in the Institute of Population Health. Her PhD is funded by the Duncan Norman Research Scholarship.

(IN BRIEF) The University of Liverpool is showcasing the research of PhD student Shelley Cathers, whose work focuses on improving responses to child criminal exploitation. Motivated by her early experiences working with young people in alternative education, Cathers has explored how children are often coerced into criminal activity and how current systems respond to such cases. Her research highlights the need for a more integrated approach that goes beyond multi-agency collaboration to include coordinated action at individual, organisational, and policy levels. Through interviews with professionals and families, she identifies key barriers and enablers in tackling exploitation, while also emphasizing the importance of involving parents as partners rather than marginalizing them. In addition to her academic work, Cathers has contributed to policy development through a parliamentary fellowship, further bridging the gap between research and decision-making. Her ongoing work aims to deliver practical, evidence-based improvements to frontline responses and inform more effective national strategies.

(PRESS RELEASE) LIVERPOOL, 21-Apr-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — University of Liverpool highlights the work of doctoral researcher Shelley Cathers, whose research is focused on improving how professionals respond to child criminal exploitation (CCE), a complex and often misunderstood issue affecting vulnerable young people.

Currently in the final stages of her PhD within the Department of Psychology at the Institute of Population Health, Cathers’ research is supported by the Duncan Norman Research Scholarship. Her academic journey began in 2020 when she enrolled in the MSc Investigative and Forensic Psychology programme at the University of Liverpool. During her postgraduate studies, she worked closely with young people in alternative education settings, where she encountered individuals involved in criminal activity. These experiences prompted deeper questions about the nature of their involvement—specifically whether such actions were voluntary or the result of external pressures.

This line of inquiry led her to focus on child criminal exploitation, a form of abuse in which minors are manipulated or coerced into committing criminal acts, often by older individuals. With guidance from supervisors Susan Giles, Sara Waring, and Freya O’Brien, Cathers pursued further research into this area through doctoral study.

Her research examines how CCE affects multiple areas of a young person’s life, including education, social relationships, and both mental and physical wellbeing. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action from various agencies, such as law enforcement, social services, and educational institutions. While national policy supports a multi-agency approach, Cathers’ work identifies a gap between policy and practice, particularly in how these responses are implemented on the ground.

A significant aspect of her research involves understanding the experiences of those directly involved in responding to CCE. Through interviews with professionals—including police officers, social workers, and educators—as well as parents and caregivers, she explores the factors that either strengthen or hinder effective intervention. Her findings suggest that responses must extend beyond coordination between agencies and instead operate across multiple levels: individual practitioners, organisational structures, and broader governmental frameworks.

Cathers also draws attention to the challenges faced by families. Despite CCE being classified as an extra-familial harm, occurring outside the home, parents are frequently subjected to blame or stigma rather than being engaged as active partners in safeguarding efforts. Her research advocates for more inclusive and supportive approaches that recognise the role of families in addressing exploitation.

Alongside her academic work, Cathers completed a fellowship with the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology, supported by the British Psychological Society. The fellowship provided an opportunity to translate academic research into policy-relevant insights. During her time in Parliament, she contributed to the development of a POSTnote—a peer-reviewed briefing designed to inform policymakers—on the topic of virtual wards and hospital-at-home models. Working under the guidance of Clare Lally, she engaged with experts from academia, industry, and the third sector to ensure the briefing reflected a comprehensive and balanced perspective.

The fellowship also offered exposure to parliamentary processes, including attending debates, observing Prime Minister’s Questions, and participating in All-Party Parliamentary Group discussions. These experiences provided valuable insight into how research can inform national policy.

Beyond her doctoral studies, Cathers has collaborated with Black Box Research and Consultancy, a UK-based organisation focused on supporting victims and survivors of exploitation. She is also contributing to additional research examining national responses to missing children and regional variations in multi-agency practices.

Looking forward, Cathers aims to ensure her research has practical impact by working closely with practitioners and families. Her goal is to support evidence-based approaches that strengthen frontline responses and contribute to more effective policy development in tackling child criminal exploitation.

Media Contact:

Joanne Carr
Deputy Director of Communications and Public Affairs
T: +44 (0)7825 434900
E: jocarr@liverpool.ac.uk

SOURCE: University of Liverpool