Child ExploitationThe IOWSCP is proactive in working to protect children from exploitation including child sexual exploitation, child criminal exploitation, trafficking and modern slavery.What is 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 under the age of 18 into sexual activity. a – in exchange for something the victim needs or wants
and / or b – for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator Facts about Child Sexual Exploitation- The child may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual.
- CSE does not always involved physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.
- CSE can involve children receiving “something” such as accommodation, gifts, drugs, cigarettes, alcohol or affection as a result of them performing sexual activities or having others perform sexual activities on them.
- Children can be groomed to post sexual images of themselves on the internet or send these images via mobile phones.
- Threats, bribes, violence and humiliation can also form part of Child Sexual Exploitation as ways of coercing a child into performing sexual activities.
- Sexual exploitation can happen to boys and girls and can be linked to criminal exploitation.
- ALL children may be at risk of child sexual exploitation. This includes children in strong and loving family units.
There are indicators of Child Criminal Exploitation/County Lines and these are additional to those that are well known for Sexual Exploitation including: - Children who are looked after, especially those living in residential care
- Children who have a history of physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/or neglect
- Children who have a disability, mental health problem or sensory impairment
- Children who are young carers
- Children who use misuse drugs and alcohol
- Children who go missing from home or care
- Children involved in crime
- Children who live in households where there is domestic abuse
What to look out for: Signs and SymptomsThere are a number of indicators which can alert you to the possibility that your child is being abused through or at risk of sexual exploitation: - Going missing for periods of time or regularly coming home late
- Coming home with expensive clothes or clothes that are inappropriate, mobile phones or other gifts and possessions
- Considerable change in performance at school or missing school
- Mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing
- Having older boyfriends/girlfriends
- Suffering from sexually transmitted infections
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Inappropriate sexualised behaviour
What is Child Criminal Exploitation?"Child Criminal Exploitation 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 (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial or other advantage of the perpetrator or facilitator and/or (c) through violence or the threat of violence. The victim may have been criminally exploited even if the activity appears consensual. Child Criminal Exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology" HM Government Serious Violence Strategy, April 2018 There are indicators of County Lines / child criminal exploitation and these are additional to those that are well known for Sexual Exploitation including: - Increased missing episodes.
- Unexplained amounts of money, new high cost items and multiple mobile phones.
- Increased social media and phone/text use, almost always secretly.
- Older males in particular seen to be hanging around and driving.
- Having injuries that are unexplained and unwilling to be looked at.
- Increase in aggression, violence and fighting.
- Carrying weapons – knives, baseball bats, hammers, acid.
- Travel receipts that are unexplained.
- Significant missing from education and disengaging from previous positive peer groups.
- Parent concerns and significant changes in behaviour that affect emotional wellbeing.
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