Child Exploitation - Information for Family and Friends
Child Criminal Exploitation
Child Criminal Exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of a person under the age of 18 and may coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under that age into any criminal activity
- In exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
- For the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or
- Through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may be exploited even if the activity appears consensual (for example moving drugs or the proceeds of drugs from one place to another).
Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. (Home Office 2018)
Child Sexual Exploitation
Child Sexual Exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity
- In exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or
- For the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child Sexual Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. (Home Office 2017).
Children or young people may be tricked into believing they’re in a loving, consensual relationship. They might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol. They may also be groomed online.
Some children and young people are trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of exploitation. Sexual exploitation can also happen to young people in gangs.
Resources for parents and carers
Barnardo’s – Spot the signs
Barnardo’s have published advice parents and young people about child sexual exploitation (CSE) which is available on their website.
Barnardo's website - www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/child-abuse-and-harm/child-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation
Ivison Trust
Ivison Trust (formerly PACE - Parents Against Child Exploitation) is a national charity working to keep children safe from exploitation by supporting their parents, disrupting the exploiters and working in partnership with police and family services. They also train professionals to support affected children and their parents using a trauma-informed, family-centric approach. Ivison Trust provide a number of resources for parents that can be accessed through their website.
Ivison Trust website - www.ivisontrust.org.uk
CEOP - Helping you to better protect your children online
The CEOP have provided advice for parents and carers of primary and secondary school age children, and how to protect your children online. Read more on their website.
Education from the National Crime Agency website (children online) - www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/
Children’s Society
Advice on keeping your children safe.
The Children's Society website (County lines) - www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/tackling-criminal-exploitation-and-county-lines/county-lines-resources
The Children's Society website (Preventing child sexual exploitation) - www.childrenssociety.org.uk/knowing-the-signs-of-child-sexual-exploitation
Parents Protect
Links to sources of help, advice and support available to people with concerns about child sexual abuse. The links are to some of the organisations and agencies you can contact for information and are continually updated. Find out more on their website.
Parents Protect website - www.parentsprotect.co.uk/home.htm
Stop it now!
Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a useful website for anyone with concerns about child sexual abuse. The Stop it Now! campaign operates a confidential freephone helpline for any adult with concerns, including those worried about the sexual behaviour of another adult towards children, those worried about their own thoughts or behaviour towards children and those concerned about the worrying sexual behaviour of a child or young person.
Stop It Now website - www.stopitnow.org.uk/
Call their helpline - 0808 1000 900
Contact via email - help@stopitnow.org.uk
Family Lives
Family Lives was formed with the aim of ensuring that all parents had somewhere to turn before they reached crisis point by providing targeted early intervention and crisis support to families who are struggling.
Family Lives website - www.familylives.org.uk/
Call their helpline - 0808 800 2222
NSPCC
The NSPCC is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to stopping child abuse. You can call their child protection helpline on 0808 800 5000 or contact them via email at help@nspcc.org.uk or visit their website NSPCC.
NSPCC website - www.nspcc.org.uk/
Call their helpline - 0808 800 5000
Contact via email - help@nspcc.org.uk
The Home Office Disclosure Scheme
If you are worried about someone in your child’s life, you can get them checked by the police to see if they have a record of child sexual offences. Find out what you need to do to get someone checked using the website link below.
UK Government website (Police Check) - www.gov.uk/police-check-someone-involved-with-child
If you suspect a child is at risk of Child Exploitation, act on it and don’t wait.
Reporting concerns
- Children's Social Care (Contact Point) – 01274 435600
- Emergency Duty Team – 01274 431010
- Police Non-Emergency – 101
- Police Emergency – 999
- Barnardo's Turnaround – 01274 513300
- Pace support for parents and information – 0113 240 3040