Child Sexual Exploitation & Grooming
Each year in England thousands of children and young people are raped or sexually abused. This includes children who have been abducted and trafficked, or beaten, threatened or bribed into having sex or taking part in sexual activities.
It does not always involve physical contact but can also occur through the use of technology.
Child sexual exploitation is when people use the power they have over young people to sexually abuse them. Their power may result from a difference in age, gender, intellect, strength, money or other resources.
Signs of Sexual Exploitation
Unhealthy or inappropriate sexual behaviour
Being frightened of certain individuals, places or situations
Being secretive
Sharp changes in mood or character
Having money or things they can’t or won’t explain
Physical signs of abuse, like bruises or bleeding in their genital or anal area
Alcohol or drug use
Sexually transmitted infections
Pregnancy
Struggling with trust and being fearful of forming new relationships
Becoming isolated from family and friends
Failing exams or dropping out of education
Experiencing unemployment
Experiencing mental health concerns
Having suicidal Ideation, episodes of self harm and/or suicide attempts
Being involved in acts of criminal behaviour
Experiencing homelessness
Signs of Grooming
Grooming is when someone builds an emotional connection with a child to gain their trust for the purposes of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or trafficking. Children and adolescents can be groomed online or face-to-face, by a stranger or by someone they know – for example a family member, friend or professional.
Signs a child is being groomed include:
Sudden changes in behaviour, such as spending more or less time online
Spending more time away or going missing from home or school
Being secretive about how they’re spending their time, including when using online devices
Having a friendship or relationship with a much older person
Recieving unexplained gifts, big or small
Misusing alcohol and/or drugs
Developing sexual health problems
Using sexual language you wouldn’t expect them to know
Unusually withdrawn or upset
Mental health support challenges
Signs of Criminal Exploitation (CE)
Criminal exploitation is child abuse where children and young people are manipulated and coerced into committing crimes; there are some signs to look out for if you’re worried a child or young person has joined a gang, or is being criminally exploited. It might be hard to spot at first, but the sooner you’re able to talk to the young person the more you’ll be able to help them.
Frequently absent and performing poorly in school
Going missing from home, staying out late and travelling for unexplained reasons
In a relationship with or spending time with someone in older than them
Unexpectedly becoming angry, aggressive or violent
Becoming isolated or withdrawn
Having unexplained money and buying new/expensive items
Wearing clothes or accessories in gang colours or getting tattoos
Using new slang words
Spending more time on social media and being secretive about time online
Making more calls or sending more texts, possibly on a new phone or phones
Self-harming and feeling emotionally unwell
Taking drugs and abusing alcohol
Committing petty crimes like shop lifting or vandalism
Unexplained injuries and refusing to seek medical help
Carrying weapons or having a dangerous breed of dog
What to do if you are worried
The NSPCC have lots of advice and tools available if you are concerned but the main things you can do are:
Talk & Listen
Talking to children & young people about healthy relationships and how to stay safe online can help prevent sexual abuse and exploitation.
It’s also important to make sure children and young people know there are trusted adults, including outside home that they can speak to about their worries, such as school or Childline.
Be aware
Try to be aware where they are when they’re out, who they’re with and what they’re doing on social media. It’s important they trust you, but they might also be at risk.
Get to know your child’s friends and their families, and work with other parents and schools to keep an eye on their behaviour and who they’re with. This will help to know when they might need support or when they might be at risk.
Ask for Support
If you’re concerned about your child, the sooner you reach out to the Police or other agencies the better.
You can:
Contact the NSPCC helpline to speak to trained professionals about what is happening, who can take action and who can signpost you to the right services and support agencies in your area.
Contact the Police immediately if you’re worried the child is in danger.
Contact Plymouth’s Early Help & SEND Advice Line, through which you can book a conversation with a Family Support Worker to talk about any worries or questions you may have
Contact Plymouth Children’s Service Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub on 01752 668000
Talk to the safeguarding lead at the child’s School and ask for support.