Child Exploitation - Information for Professionals

Child criminal exploitation, financial and sexual exploitation occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of a person under the age of 18 years, and it does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology. If you need more information on West Yorkshire's child protection procedures, the following document can support you.

There are various forms of exploitation such as:

• Criminal exploitation occurs when an individual or group criminally exploit a child or young person through coercion, manipulation and/or deception.
• Financial exploitation is a form of criminal exploitation, or child criminal exploitation when the victim is under 18 years old. It can take place in isolation or alongside other forms of exploitation.
• Sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse, and the victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. This occurs when an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to sexually exploit a child or young person through coercion, manipulation and/or deception.
• Online exploitation
• Radicalisation

West Yorkshire Consortium Inter Agency Safeguarding and Child Protection Procedures

If You Are Concerned About A Child

In the Bradford district, these are the numbers that you can ring for advice and to make a referral. Please ensure that you speak to the appropriate organisations who can listen to and record your concern, and then take appropriate action.

• If you have reason to believe that a child is in immediate risk of harm, contact The Police - 999
• Child Social Services - 01274 435600 (8.30am - 5pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30am - 4.30pm Friday)
• Child Social Services Emergency Duty Team - 01274 431010
• Children’s Specialist Services (general enquiries) - 01274 435600

“Using the trauma model to understand the impact of sexual exploitation on children.” – by Norma Howes

Norma Howes has worked as a social worker, child forensic psychologist and sensorimotor psychotherapist. She is involved in training police, social workers, health and education staff in all aspects of childhood trauma and abuse, specialising in assessing and treating all victims of sexual trauma and the assessment of male and female perpetrators.

This guide offers practitioners a detailed explanation of both the psychological impact sexual exploitation can have on children and young people and some of the factors that can make victims vulnerable. It uses the trauma model to discuss what to consider when working with these children, ways to talk to them about their experience, start to build trust and offer support.

All Age Exploitation

The All Age Exploitation sub group aims to bring key partners together to ensure that across the Bradford District an effective, consistent, collaborative and coordinated response is provided to all children, young people and adults who are/or at risk at being exploited.

You can find out more in the All Age Exploitation terms of reference document and in the All Age Exploitation Strategy 2023-2026 document.

#LookCloser Campaign

#LookCloser is The Children’s Society’s award-winning campaign supported by the British Transport Police and the National County Lines Coordination Centre, aiming to raise awareness about the exploitation of children and young people and the vital role that everyone can play in helping stop it. For further information visit The Children's Society website.

If you have further questions about #LookCloser you can email The Children's Society directly - prevention@childrenssociety.org.uk