Understanding what Drives Harm and How We Respond

Youth violence, online harm, exploitation and extremist ideologies including, far-right extremism and extreme misogyny are often discussed as separate issues, each requiring its own response. But what if we looked more closely at what connects them?

While these forms of harm can look very different, the pathways into them may share important similarities. Experiences of isolation, a need for belonging, low self-worth and a desire for identity or connection can leave young people vulnerable to people who seek to manipulate and exploit them. Grooming can take many forms, but often involves building trust and exploiting unmet needs.

Understanding these connections matters. When we focus solely on a young person's behaviour, we risk missing the experiences, relationships and wider circumstances that may have helped shaped it. We also risk overlooking the people who have exploited their vulnerabilities, or the systems that have failed to recognise and respond to their needs.

This was the thinking behind our 'Seeing the Child Beyond the Harm' conference. By bringing together people working to support young people that have experienced different forms of harm, we wanted to create space to look beyond individual issues and explore what they can teach us about vulnerability, exploitation and prevention. If we can better understand what connects these experiences, we have a greater opportunity to intervene earlier, challenge harmful influences and ensure young people receive the support they need.

We began by the Safer London Voice, Influence and Participation (VIP) members taking to the stage to share their thoughts on the common drivers of harm, before they invited the professionals in the room to reflect on the same question.

Comparing their responses revealed both striking similarities and important differences. While professionals bring vital knowledge and experience, young people offer something unique – their own lived experience. Their perspectives can challenge assumptions and highlight what we might otherwise miss.

The discussion continued with a panel led by Lib Peck, Director of the London Violence Reduction Unit, bringing together young people alongside Dez Brown, CEO of Spark2Life, Harriet Over from the University of York and Carly Adams-Elias, Director of Practice at Safer London.

A key theme in this discussion was the role of social media and the rapid development of AI in shaping young people’s experiences of harm. The digital world creates opportunities for connection, but it can also expose young people to harmful content, manipulation and exploitation on an unprecedented scale.

This raises an important challenge: our understanding of harm must evolve alongside the world young people are growing up in. Online and offline experiences are increasingly intertwined, meaning that the relationships and vulnerabilities young people encounter online cannot be separated from their wider lives.

Carly Adams-Elias invited us to explore a different but equally important, question: what role does love have in our work with young people? Her presentation explored the concept of a ‘Love Ethic’, challenging us to consider whether we can feel and express love in our work.

In professional settings, we often talk about compassion and empathy, yet feel less comfortable describing these feelings as love. But what if love is already present in our practice even when we use different words to describe it?

Ultimately, our ‘Seeing the Child Beyond the Harm’ conference was a reminder that, while the forms of harm affecting young people may differ, our response must always start with understanding the person behind it. This means listening to young people, recognising the influences shaping their lives and building relationships rooted in trust and care.

No single organisation or professional can tackle these challenges alone. By sharing knowledge, learning across different areas of practice and working alongside young people, families and communities, we can develop more effective ways to prevent harm and support young people affected by it.

At Safer London, we believe every young person deserves to be seen for more than the harm surrounding them.