Child Sexual Exploitation

Child Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (e.g. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition; for example being persuaded to post sexual images on the Internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability.

Both girls and boys are at risk of sexual exploitation, and it is seriously harmful to children both emotionally and physically. Children and young people often find it very hard to understand or accept that they are being abused through sexual exploitation, and this increases their risk of being exposed to violent assault and life threatening events by those who abuse them.

Signs to look out for include:

  • Going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late.
  • Frequently staying out late or overnight with no explanation as to where they have been.
  • Going places that you know they cannot afford.
  • Skipping school or being disruptive in class.
  • Suddenly acquiring expensive gifts such as mobile phones, jewellery – even drugs – and not being able to explain how they came by them.
  • Having mood swings and changes in temperament.
  • Noticeable changes in behaviour – becoming secretive, defensive or aggressive when asked about their personal life.
  • Wearing inappropriate clothing that is too adult or revealing for their age.
  • Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviours, such as over familiarity with strangers, dressing in a sexualised manner or sending sexualised images by mobile phone (‘sexting’).
  • Getting into trouble with the police. Bruises, marks on the body, sexually-transmitted diseases, pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse or self-harm.
  • Repeated phone calls, letters, emails from adults outside family social circle.
     

Helpful videos against Child Sexual Exploitation

Jay's Story

 

Emma's story

 

Useful Links

  • PACE - Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation
     
  • CEOP – ThinkUKnow - A site to find the latest information on the sites children and young people like to visit, mobiles and new technology. Find out what’s good, what’s not and what you can do about it. If you look after young people there’s an area for you too – with resources you can use in the classroom or at home.
     
  • NSPCC Net Aware A guide to the most popular social media sites and apps that children and young people are using today. The NSPCC worked with Mumsnet, over 500 mums and dads and nearly 2500 young people to review social networks and apps that children use.

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If you are concerned that a child or young person is at risk of CSE, please contact:

In an emergency call the police on 999.