Child Sexual Exploitation

This guidance outlines what Child Sexual Exploitation is, signs to look out for and what practitioners should do if they are worried about a child. 

 

 

1. Introduction

1.1 Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It is a complex form of abuse and can often be difficult for those working directly with children to identify and assess. The indicators for CSE can sometimes be mistaken for ‘normal adolescent behaviours’. Children from any background or community can be the victim of exploitation, therefore all practitioners should be open to the possibility that the children they work with might be affected.

 

2. What is CSE?

2.1 ‘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 or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity
(a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, however, may not always be a physical transaction of something and may present as offering love, friendship, security or stability and/or
(b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator.
The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.’ (DfE, 2017)

2.2 Like all forms of child sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation can:

  • affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years, including 16 and 17 year olds who can legally consent to have sex;
  • still be abuse even if the sexual activity appears consensual;
  • include both contact (penetrative and non-penetrative acts) and non-contact sexual activity;
  • take place in person or via technology, (such as via social media or gaming) or a combination of both;
  • involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance and may, or may not, be accompanied by violence or threats of violence;
  • occur without the child or young person's immediate knowledge (through others copying videos or images they have created and posting on social media).
  • be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and children or adults.
  • be a one-off occurrence or a series of incidents over time, and range from opportunistic to complex organised abuse; and
  • Is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the abuse. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, sexual identity, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

2.3 Young people can often be groomed into trusting their abuser and may not understand that they're being abused; believing they're in a loving, consensual relationship.

 

3. Grooming

3.1 Sexual exploitation is commonly characterised by the grooming of children and young people. This process is carried out by perpetrators to gain their trust. Perpetrators often (but not always) target children who are already vulnerable – who may have suffered adverse childhood experiences or trauma and/or be bullied outside of the home and socially isolated. Once the young people are thought to be sufficiently emotionally involved, violence and intimidation can be used to ensure compliance. In addition, perpetrators may give drugs and alcohol to victims and encourage addiction in order to ensure they become dependent on them for the supply of these substances. Perpetrators may also appear to offer love and protection to young people as part of the grooming process.

3.2 Grooming methods are used to gain the trust of a child and sometimes their parents, carers or friends. This often means that the victim does not recognise that they have been exploited or forced and believe that they have chosen or consented. However, children are not considered able to give 'informed consent' to their own exploitation.

 

4. Indicators of Risk / Vulnerability

4.1 Sexually exploited children come from a range of backgrounds and may have no additional risk factors or vulnerabilities, therefore, professionals should always keep an open mind to the possibility that a child may be at risk of exploitation. However, children can be at increased risk of sexual exploitation if they have any additional vulnerabilities, as perpetrators may target them and try to exploit these vulnerabilities.

4.2 There are inherent factors that make any child vulnerable to CSE. Some children display additional vulnerabilities. The table below lists some of the vulnerabilities that can increase the likelihood of a child becoming a victim of CSE.

4.3 All children are vulnerable to exploitation by virtue of their age however, some children may have some additional vulnerabilities that could increase their risks of CSE, this includes but is not limited to:

  • Children who are cared for or reside outside of the family home
  • Children who have experienced trauma within the family home
  • Children who have experienced abuse or neglect
  • Children with learning difficulties or disabilities (diagnosed or undiagnosed) or mental health difficulties
  • Children who have had school exclusions, frequent school moves, are electively home educated, have an EHCP, or experiencing difficulties within school
  • Children who may be questioning their gender identity or sexuality
  • Children who are experiencing poverty or deprivation?
  • Children who may have low self-esteem, low self-confidence, experience social isolation or bullying
  • Children who may experience a lack of supervision, support or guidance from their parents or carers
  • Children with limited support network or communication needs such as English not being their first language

(NB: This is not an exhaustive list)

4.4 Children who are sexually exploited may also suffer from other forms of exploitation such as trafficking or modern slavery. It is important to consider other forms of harm outside the home in order to better understand the risk to the child.

5. Recognising child sexual exploitation

5.1 CSE is often a hidden harm, and explicit evidence of exploitation may not be evident. Children and young people may not disclose their experiences. This can be out of fear of recriminations, feelings of shame and guilt or because they do not recognise their own exploitation or they fear they will not be believed. Child sexual exploitation (CSE) can be very difficult to identify. Warning signs can easily be mistaken for teenage behaviour not in keeping with developmental age.

5.2 Children and young people who are being sexually exploited may present with certain behaviours or presentations:

  • displaying sexualised behaviour or language, this could be a significant change from their usual behaviour/language or not be in keeping with their developmental age
  • being fearful of certain people and/or situations
  • displaying significant changes in emotional wellbeing
  • being isolated from peers/usual social networks
  • being increasingly secretive
  • having money,or gifts from unknown sources/access to funds that they can’t explain
  • spending time with older individuals or groups
  • being linked to OCG’s and known associates
  • having boyfriends or girlfriends where there is a power imbalance
  • Having school difficulties such as exclusions, transfers or attendance difficulties
  • persistently returning home late
  • returning home under the influence of drugs/alcohol/substances
  • going missing from home,care or school
  • being involved in petty crime such as shoplifting, anti social behaviour or offending
  • spending a lot of time at hotels or places of concern in the community
  • involving friends or others into exploitative situations
  • evidence of sexual bullying and/or vulnerability through the internet and/or social networking sites and/or gaming platforms
  • unexplained physical injuries and other signs of physical abuse
  • changed physical appearance - for example, weight loss
  • self-harm / thoughts of or attempts at suicide
  • sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy and / or terminations
  • Request for contraception or emergency contraception (morning after pill)

6. If you are worried about a child, what to do next

6.1 An Initial Harm Outside of the Home Screening Tool should be completed where there are concerns regarding signs and indicators of CSE. If the child is open to services and already has a worker, the Screening Tool should be sent directly to the local Harm Outside of the Home group. 

6.2 If the child does not have a worker the Screening Tool should be used to assist evidence gathering in making a SAFER referral and can be submitted alongside a SAFER referral form to: 

A SAFER referral must be made as soon as possible when any concern of Significant Harm as a consequence of child sexual exploitation becomes known.

6.3 If there is concern about a child’s immediate safety, the Police should be contacted on 999.

7. Useful Practice Tools (on this website)

8. Useful Links and Resources (on this website)

9. Further information