Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)
Sexual exploitation is a form of sexual abuse, in which a young person is manipulated or forced into taking part in a sexual act. This could be as part of what seems to be a consensual relationship, or it could be in return for attention, affection, money, drugs, alcohol or somewhere to stay.
The young person may think their abuser is their friend, boyfriend or girlfriend but the abuser will put them into dangerous situations, forcing the child/young person to do things they don’t want to do. The abuser could threaten them or be violent towards them.
Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Safeguarding Children Board (NSCB) run a joint campaign, raising awareness of CSE – How to identify it and how to report it.
NSCB - Child Exploitation Information
Signs of CSE can be difficult to identify but can include:
- Child missing from home or care
- Physical injuries
- Misuse of drugs and/or alcohol
- Repeated sexually-transmitted infections, pregnancies or terminations
- Absence from school
- Deterioration in physical appearance
- Evidence of online sexual bullying
- Evidence of vulnerability on social networking sites
- Emotional distance from family members
- Receiving gifts from unknown sources
- Recruiting others into exploitative situations
- Poor mental health
- Self-harming
- Thinking about or attempting suicide
- Involvement with gangs, gang fights, gang membership
- Involved in abuse relationships
- Intimidated by and fearful of certain people/situations
Please also refer to the below sites for more indicators/information:
NSCB - CSE – Parent/Carer Guide
Barnardo's - CSE - Parent/Carer Guide
How to Report CSE
A national helpline for young people to call/text if they have concerns about themselves or friends:
It is completely free, anonymous and is open 24hrs daily, 365 days p/year:
Call/Text: 116 000
Or
Police: call 999 or 101
Safeguarding Hub: 0300 126 7000
What is grooming?
The process of ‘grooming’ is designed to isolate the child/young person, breaking down relationships with parents, carers and friends, making the child/young person easier to manipulate.
Signs of grooming can be hard to spot. Children/Young people may:
- Become very secretive, including about what they are doing online
- Have money, cigarettes/vapes, new clothes, new mobile phones – things that they can’t or won’t explain
- Go to unusual places to meet with ‘friends’
- Have access to drugs and/or alcohol
In older children, signs of grooming can be mistaken for ‘normal’ teenage behaviours BUT you may notice unexplained changes in their behaviour or personality, or inappropriate sexual behaviour for their age.
Download the ‘Tackling CSE Toolkit’ for parents and carers
The NSCB has produced a toolkit to help parents/carers recognise CSE and provide them with practical advice on how to keep their children safe.
The toolkit is a document, divided into chapters. For parents/carers, they recommend reading Chapter 1 and Chapter 8 – these ca be downloaded below:
CSE Toolkit - Chapter 1 - What is CSE and what do I need to know?
CSE Toolkig - Chapter 8 - Information for parents/carers
CSE Toolkit - Chapter 9 - CSE Information for Children & Young People
Further help can be found
Call or Text to 116 000 – The National Helpline [24/7, FREE, ANONYMOUS]