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Research Fellow

I am a social researcher with research interests in child protection, safeguarding, and support in relation to child sexual abuse/exploitation. I am particularly interested in the role and application of arts-based research methods in research with children and young people.

Prior to joining the Centre in 2019, I spent three years working as a member of the research team at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Within this role I was involved in a number of projects related to child sexual abuse – and in particular child sexual abuse that takes place in institutional contexts.

Projects included: a qualitative study which explored perceptions of safety and safeguarding in relation to child sexual abuse in the youth secure estate, from the perspectives of both children and staff; thematic analyses of data from the Inquiry’s Truth Project to illuminate experiences of and responses to child sexual abuse in institutional contexts; and various rapid evidence assessments.

Before working in this field, I spent several years working on qualitative research projects across a range of topics for public, private and third sector clients including: NHS Direct; Cancer Research UK; Save the Children; Department of Health; The Royal National Institute of Blind People; John Lewis; Britvic and Beiersdorf.

At the Centre, I am currently working on various projects including 'Our Voices III' - focused on reducing child sexual abuse and improving responses to it by developing, evidencing and championing, ethical child-centred practice and research. I am also working towards a Professional Doctorate in Children and Young People's Services. My research is exploring pre-trial therapy and young people's experiences of support when involved in the criminal justice system as victims of sexual abuse.

Other References

Qualifications

• MA Childhood and Youth: applied perspectives – ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (Distinction) Additional Award: School of Applied Social Studies, 'Best Overall Postgraduate Dissertation'
• BA (Hons) Criminology – ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½ (First)

Research Interests

• Childhood vulnerability and resilience
• Child sexual abuse/exploitation
• Young people's experiences of the criminal justice system
• Creative and arts-based research methods
• Participatory research with young people
• Social justice

Current Projects

• Our Voices III. The latest project in the that aims to reduce child sexual abuse and improve responses by developing, evidencing and championing, ethical child-centred practice and research. This project is funded by Oak Foundation.
• Learning Together: Involving children and youth in sexual abuse research. This project seeks to support researchers to safely and ethically involve children and young people in sexual abuse research and explore what the support needs of researchers are to help them to do this. This project is funded by Porticus.
• Journeys Through the Justice System Following Abuse. This project is exploring young people’s views of criminal justice processes, following an experience of child sexual abuse (CSA). Funded by the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) as part of a wider study into attrition in CSA cases in London.

Publications

• Cody, C., and Soares, C. (2023) Seeing Things from Both Sides: A comic to help young people and professionals understand each other's views about young survivors' participation in efforts to address child sexual abuse and exploitation. View comic [PDF]
• Warrington, C., Beckett, H., Allnock, D., and Soares, C. (2023) Children's Perspectives on Family Members' Needs and Support after Child Sexual Abuse.
• Warrington, C., Allnock, D., Soares, C., Beckett, H., and Starbuck, L. (2023) 'Letting you share when you need to share': Navigating the potential and precarity of friends and peers for UK young people after sexual abuse in adolescence.
• Allnock, D., Beckett, H., Soares, C., Starbuck, L., Warrington, C., and Walker, J. (2022) Learning from the Experts: Understanding the mental health and emotional wellbeing needs of those who experience sexual abuse in adolescence. Download the report [PDF]
• Beckett, H. and Soares, C. with Warrington, C. (2022) ‘There’s something there for everyone’ Learning about the Lighthouse: Young people’s perspectives on London’s Child House. Download the report [PDF]
• Allnock, D., Beckett, H., Soares, C., Warrington, C., Hagell, A. and Starbuck, L. (2021) Learning from the Experts: Young people’s views on their mental health and emotional wellbeing needs following sexual abuse in adolescence - Briefing paper. Download the report [PDF]
• Darling, A., Mooney, B., King, S., Hurcombe, R., Soares, C., Ablett, G. and Brähler. V (2020) Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in custodial institutions. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:
• Soares, C., Mooney, B., Ablett, G., and King, S. (2019) Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in the context of children’s homes and residential care. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:
• Hurcombe, R., Darling, A., Mooney, B., Ablett, G., Soares, C., King, S., and Brähler, V. (2019) Truth Project Thematic Report: Child sexual abuse in the context of religious institutions. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:
• Soares, C., George, R., Pope, L. and Brähler, V. (2019) Safe inside? Child sexual abuse in the youth secure estate. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:
• Mendez Sayer, E., Rodger, H., Soares, C. and Hurcombe, R. (2018). Child sexual abuse in custodial institutions: A rapid evidence assessment. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:
• Fisher, C., Goldsmith, A., Hurcombe, R. and Soares, C. (2017). The impacts of child sexual abuse: A rapid evidence assessment. London: Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. Available at:

Contact Details

E: claire.soares@beds.ac.uk