In this section:
Child sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse, in which a child or young person is manipulated or forced into taking part in a sexual act. The abuser may physically or verbally threaten or be violent towards them. They will manipulate, groom and try to isolate the child/young person from friends and family. The abuser may control a child or young person through physical or psychological means or through the use of drugs for a sexual purpose.
The child or young person may think that their abuser is their friend, or even their boyfriend or girlfriend. Children and young people may be moved within the UK, also referred to as child trafficking, or trafficked into the UK from other countries for the purpose of sexually abusing them. Child sexual abuse through exploitation can include the grooming of children and young people online for the purpose of sexually abusing them. This might involve:
An adult pretending to be a child, befriending the child/young person through online chat rooms, social networking websites, email etc.
Asking children/young people to participate in non-contact sexual activities such as engaging in sexual conversations online or through a telephone.
Asking children/young people to take and share indecent images of themselves online or through a mobile phone.
Asking children/young people to display sexualised behaviours or perform sexual acts that are recorded or shared live via webcam.
The creation, storage and distribution of child abuse images, also referred to as child pornography.
Arranging to meet a child/young person face to face for the purpose of sexually abusing them.
Child Sexual Exploitation
Who is affected by child sexual exploitation?
This type of abuse could happen to any child or young person from any background.
It happens to boys and young men as well as girls and young women. They could be looked after, leaving residential or foster care, migrant or unaccompanied asylum seeking children or young people.
They may have experienced previous forms of abuse and may be involved in gangs. The victims of abuse are not at fault; abusers are very clever in the way they manipulate, groom and take advantage of the children and young people they abuse.
What are the signs of child sexual exploitation?
Regularly missing school or not taking part in education.
Staying out at night, regularly returning home late and/or returning home after long intervals and appearing well cared for.
Defensive about where they have been and what they have been doing.
Appears with unexplained gifts or new possessions, money, mobile phones, clothes, jewellery etc.
Suffers from sexually transmitted infections.
Mood swings.
Changes in emotional wellbeing, use of language or physical appearance.
Displays inappropriate sexualised behaviour.
Is secretive or withdrawn.
Looks tired, ill or sleeps during the day.
Associating with older men and/or developing a relationship of a sexual nature with a significantly older man or woman.
Uses drugs and/or alcohol.
Receiving more phone calls or text messages than usual.
Further Information and Advice
Child trafficking and modern slavery are child abuse.
Child Trafficking is the movement of a child for the purpose of exploitation. (A child is defined as any person under the age of 18). Children are tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and traffickers may promise children education or persuade parents that their child can have a better future in another place.
Children can be moved, harboured and transported within the UK as well as across international borders. Most children are trafficked for financial gain. They can be trafficked by parents, extended family members, known adults in the community, organised gangs or by strangers.
They can be trafficked for many different forms of exploitation, including:
Domestic servitude – such as cleaning or cooking
Sweatshop, restaurant and other catering work
Credit card fraud
Begging or pickpocketing or other forms of petty criminal activity
Agricultural labour, including tending plants in illegal cannabis farms
Benefit fraud
Drug mules, drug dealing or decoys for adult drug traffickers
Illegal inter-country adoptions
Organ removal and in some cases ritual sacrifice
Trafficked children experience multiple forms of abuse and neglect.
Physical, sexual and emotional violence are often used to control victims of trafficking and children are also likely to be physically and emotionally neglected.
Trafficked children have little choice in what happens to them and often experience multiple forms of abuse and neglect due to violence and threats made against them or their families. In effect, they are owned by the traffickers.
Child Trafficking & Modern Slavery
Further Information and Advice
First Responders Modern Slavery Flowchart click the image below:
This occurs “Where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, control, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into any criminal activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. CCE does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology” (Home Office, 2018).
Children can be groomed, manipulated, or forced into drug dealing and other crimes. Exploiters will exploit children online and / or in the community.
It can be difficult to know what to do to help protect children who are being criminally exploited, especially as some children do not recognise that they are being exploited and some do not feel safe enough to say what is happening.
Gangs, Criminal Exploitation & County Lines
What is Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE)?
As a parent / carer what signs should I look out for?
Spending time with people you don't know or aren't sure about.
Going missing from home or school (even for a few hours).
Getting into trouble at school.
Having unexplained new items (phones, clothes, etc.).
Getting involved with crimes
Having unexplained injuries.
Losing interest in their existing hobbies.
Becoming secretive.
Not telling you where they have been or why they returned late.
Increased activity on their phone (either calls, messages, or apps) and their response.
As a parent / carer what can I do?
Talk to your child and listen.
Try and keep lines of communication open with them.
Show an interest in what they do and who they are with.
Know who your child is with and where.
Talk with them about the dangers of county lines and gangs.
Let them know it is not their fault if this happens.
If you are worried that your child could come to harm, report your concerns to Customer First on 0808 800 4005.
If you are worried that your child is at immediate risk of harm, call 999.
Where can I get help in Suffolk?
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This voluntary programme is designed to offer help and support to young people who are at risk of offending and anti-social behaviour. Suffolk Youth Justice Service offer a programme of work, which is created in collaboration with the young person (and their families). A plan is created with the aim of reducing the likelihood of offending or re-offending. Referrals are accepted from Children and Young People's Services; educational establishments; the police and parents / carers. All referrals are then assessed to see if they meet the criteria for further intervention work with the youth justice service.
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PACE provide information and support for parents / carers concerned about child exploitation.
Provide information and support for parents / carers concerned about criminal exploitation.
If you have information on child exploitation and abuse or suspect it may be happening but want to remain completely anonymous, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers online or on the phone. Call 0800 555 111.
The NSPCC helpline is staffed by trained professionals who can provide expert advice and support if you’re concerned about a child. Call on 0808 800 5000.
Fearless is a site where you can access non-judgemental information and advice about crime and criminality. They provide a safe place to give information about crime 100% anonymously.
Call the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. You can also report to the police online. Only report your concerns when it is safe for you to do so, even if this is after the event that your concerns initially arose. Do not attempt to intervene yourself.
If you are on a train, you can text the British Transport Police on 61016. Information on routes of travel, addresses, appearance, and behaviour of a child can all help to protect children.
Useful resources and support
Groomsafe - Groomsafe is a website dedicated to informing parents, carers, and teaching professionals by raising awareness of exploitation. Groomsafe seeks to safeguard children and young adults against the dangers of specific manipulation whether it is sexual or criminally motivated.
5 Big Questions for Parents/Carers who are worried about their young people and gangs - Youth Intervention Expert Junior Smart talks about the 5 key questions that every parent/ caregiver should consider if they have concerns.
Guidance for parents around County Lines - Overview from Junior Smart providing information and guidance for parents around county lines and where to access support.
NSPCC - Criminal Exploitation and Gangs - NSPCC advice about how to spot the signs of criminal exploitation and involvement in gangs and what support is available for children.
Child Safety Online - A practical guide for parents and carers whose children are using social media.
Children's Society - The Children’s Society website provides a range of resources. Their #LookCloser campaign encourages everyone to learn the signs of child exploitation and how to report it.
Keeping Safe- Practical guidance for professionals