Theresa Redmond

Theresa Redmond serves as Associate Professor at Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) within the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Faculty of Arts, Humanities, Education and Social Sciences. As a core member of the International Policing and Public Protection Research Institute (IPPPRI), she specializes in child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) and gendered violence, employing interdisciplinary approaches to examine victim/survivor experiences, institutional responses, and police wellbeing in investigations.

Education

• PhD in Sociology and Social Anthropology, University of Hull
• Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training, University of Hull
• MSc Psychology and Investigation (Distinction), University of Huddersfield
• PGCE Social Sciences and Citizenship (Distinction), Manchester Metropolitan University
• BA (Hons) Social Policy and Administration (First Class), Leeds Metropolitan University

Her research centers on CSAE through feminist and narrative lenses, investigating sense-making of consent/agency among victims/survivors and professionals. Current projects address police mental health ('protecting the protectors'), cultural barriers in ethnic minority communities, and school-based abuse, emphasizing practical policy translation. Her methodology integrates sociology, criminology, and social work to bridge academic-practitioner divides.

Recent publications (2020-2023) reveal three dominant trends: 1) Mental health impacts on law enforcement handling CSAE cases, 2) Institutional failures in minority communities requiring culturally competent responses, and 3) Survivor narratives highlighting agency within exploitation contexts. This work consistently targets actionable improvements for police, social services, and victim support systems.

Theresa provides research supervision in CSAE and delivers specialized training for police forces (including Hampshire and Norwegian Kripos), NHS staff, and third-sector organizations. Her practitioner-focused presentations translate complex research into operational guidance for frontline responders across international contexts.

As part of IPPPRI, she contributes to ARU's collaborative ecosystem focused on evidence-based public protection, with current projects examining family impacts during police 'knocks' and improving victim inclusion in policy design through lived-experience engagement.