Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child Sexual Exploitation can happen to anyone. But children who are already vulnerable in some way may be more likely to be targeted.

Children with SEND might be vulnerable because:

• they struggle to understand what exploitation is
• they have less access to education on sex and relationships
• parents, carers and professionals may think that children with SEND are uninterested in sex or relationships, so incorrectly assume they cannot be exploited
• they may be unable to tell anybody due to communication difficulties
• they might not be believed when they tell someone what is happening to them
• they are socially isolated
• signs that a child is being exploited, such as displaying challenging behaviour, may be overlooked as being a symptom of the child's condition or disability.

Some adults target young people and draw them into abusive sexual relationships. They:

• show them a lot of interest and affection at the beginning, and make them feel special
• offer drugs and alcohol, and a place to chill out
• may get presents like clothes, a mobile phone, or money to buy alcohol and cigarettes

After they have gained the youngster’s trust and affection, things change they:

• ask for sexual favours for themselves or other people, in return for alcohol, drugs, presents, money - all the things they started giving for free
• stop being nice and can become threatening or violent.

Sometimes young people are exploited by a person they've never met in real life, or only met briefly. CSE can take place through online grooming on chat rooms, social media and online gaming.

The perpetrator may encourage the young person to take part in activities including:

• sexting
• performing sexual acts via webcams
• sending nude photographs of themselves, or posting them online
• accessing inappropriate content online
• meeting the perpetrator in real life.

When a young person feels that they no longer want to communicate with this person, the perpetrator might threaten to share sexual images of the young person with their family, friends or wider community.

If you are concerned that your child is being sexually abused or groomed online, you can report it to Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP).

• Childline has advice for young people who have sent pictures and are worried about what might happen to them next.
• Young people under 18 years can use the Report Remove tool from Childline to remove their nude image or video to be removed from the internet.

• Skipping school, coming home late/going missing or staying out all night without explanation.
• A sudden change in appearance or behaving in an overly sexualised way.
• Becoming secretive or isolating themselves from family, friends and professionals.
• Having money, receiving gifts or having personal items that they are unable or unwilling to tell you from who or where.
• Having a relationship with an older boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Drug or alcohol misuse and being in trouble for committing criminal offences.
• Suffering from a sexually transmitted disease or having several pregnancies or terminations.
• For further signs, check Child Sexual Exploitation on Thames Valley Police website.
  

Some of these behaviours may have other explanations, but if you are concerned, or if your child is displaying several of these signs, it is important to seek help or advice.

• Talk to your child about what it means to be in a healthy relationship.
• Warn them to not trust people they don't know, either in person or online, even if they seem friendly.
• Make sure your child understands to never give strangers their personal details or arrange to meet them. Personal details include full name, home address and what school they go to.
• If you have difficulty talking with your child, consider seeking help from a parenting course so that you can develop an open relationship with each other.
• Reassure your child that you are there for them no matter what, and it's not their fault if they have been forced to send naked photos or engage in sexual activity.
• Let your child know who they can tell if they are concerned about themselves or a friend. This should include you, another family member, a teacher or social worker, or to contact Childline or the NSPCC.

Child sexual exploitation is a crime. The police and social services will act to stop it happening. There are specialists who can advise you on what to do next and can, if needed, talk to any child or young person directly.

You can report concerns to:

• Slough’s One Front Door on 01753 875362
• 101
• Crimestoppers online anonymously or on 0800 555 111.

If someone is in immediate danger, dial 999.