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Boys to men: the cost of ‘adultification’ in safeguarding responses to Black boys

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Jahnine Davis Listen Up Research, UK

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Nicholas Marsh Listen Up Research, UK

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This commentary is in response to the publication of Child C’s serious case review, published in May 2020. Child C was a victim of child criminal exploitation. He was murdered on the streets of London at 14 years old. Using an intersectional lens, together with and the concept of ‘adultification’, this article reflects on professional and societal attitudes towards Black boys and notions of vulnerability. We argue that in order to provide meaningful and effective support to Black boys, both the use of an intersectional lens and an awareness of adultification is necessary.

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Jahnine Davis Listen Up Research, UK

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Nicholas Marsh Listen Up Research, UK

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