Child Exploitation: be aware, spot and report the signs

Child exploitation is not always obvious, but it can happen anywhere. A victim could be sitting near you on the bus or train, the young person at your work, the child in your school, the young person you regularly see in the park or the child in your home.

By understanding what it is and what it can look like, and knowing when and how to report, we can all play a part in keeping young people safe.

What do we mean by criminal and sexual exploitation?

Child Criminal Exploitation (CCE) is when a child or young person is groomed and forced into criminal activity. Like sexual abuse, a child cannot consent to their own exploitation. CCE is often associated with County Lines, a term used to describe organised criminal networks involved in the supply of illegal drugs using dedicated mobile phone lines or other form of “deal line”. County Lines operators often exploit children, young people and vulnerable adults to move and store drugs or money. They might use coercion, intimidation, violence (including sexual violence) and weapons.

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is defined as a form of child sexual abuse 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. This exploitation can happen in various ways, and it can happen online and offline. Gifts, affection, money and drugs may be involved in manipulating the child into performing sexual acts. The abuser may force the child or young person to have sex with other people and even make them groom other young people for sex. A child cannot consent to their exploitation.

The child or young person may trust their abuser. They may think they are in a loving relationship, even if the abuser controls, threatens or is violent towards them.  They may not understand they are being abused or not believe they are being manipulated. They may depend on their abuser and be too scared to tell anyone what is happening.

Exploitation is never the victim’s fault.

What do we mean by grooming? 

Grooming is a process that involves the offender building a relationship with a child or young person, gaining their trust and a position of power over the child, in preparation for abuse.  It can happen to any child or young person and can take place in public places, organisations and online.  Perpetrators can be strangers, or someone known to the victim.  

How does grooming happen? 

Exploitation can start with a conversation, a cigarette, the sharing of alcohol or some ‘free’ drugs.   

Perpetrators are experts at grooming young people, identifying their vulnerabilities and using these to their advantage. They may offer gifts, friendships or even ‘relationships’ to draw victims in. Grooming can go on for weeks or months.  

There is often a high cost to pay – in the form of sexual abuse, trafficking, coercion, harassment or forced labour.    

How might I know a young person is being groomed?

Signs in a young person you know might include:

• Becoming especially secretive, not seeing their usual friends, having sharp, severe mood swings
• Developing relationships with older men or women (although not all perpetrators are older)
• Going missing from home and being reluctant to say where they have been or what they have been doing – staying out all night
• Receiving calls and messages from outside their normal circle of friends
• New, expensive items which they could not afford, such as mobile phones, iPods or jewellery – as well as ‘invisible’ or ‘virtual’ gifts such as phone credit and online gaming credits
• Suddenly changing their taste in dress or music
• Looking tired or unwell and sleeping at unusual hours
• Marks or scars on their body which they try to hide
• Regularly missing school
• Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour

Signs in a young person you might see in public, could include:

• Them being fearful, anxious or withdrawn 
• Them being controlled by others (e.g. they might want to leave but are not allowed to by the people they are in company with) 
• Appearing lost or disoriented 
• Being hungry or very tired (which could result in stealing food, asking for water, or sleeping in public spaces)  
• Appearing dirty, especially if you notice this a few times 
• Visible bruises or injuries 
• Spending long hours in the same public space 

Adults accompanying them may appear to be overly controlling, shouting or angry (e.g. telling a young person what to do or where to go or preventing them from leaving).

Trust your instincts and if something doesn’t look right, report your suspicion.

Who do I tell?

• If you believe someone is in immediate danger or a crime is happening NOW, always call 999.
• If you believe you have information that might help us, call us on 101
• You can also report online: Report child sexual exploitation | Avon and Somerset Police
• Or you can visit your nearest police station
• On the railway network, you can text British Transport Police on 61016 (always 999 in an emergency)
• If you don’t want to talk to police or prefer to give information anonymously, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111
• Fearless offers a route for children and young people to give information about crime 100% anonymously: Give information about crime 100% anonymously | Fearless | Crimestoppers
  

What if I’m concerned about a child’s wellbeing?

If you’re concerned about the wellbeing of a child, you can contact the following local authorities:

• Bristol City Council – contact the First Response Team on 0117 903 6444
• North Somerset Council – contact the Care Connect service on 01275 888 808 or email care.connect@n-somerset.gov.uk
• South Gloucestershire Council – call 01454 866000 or 01454 615165 (out of hours and weekends) or text ‘EDT’ to 60066 followed by your name and message

In an emergency – if someone is at risk or a crime is in progress – always call 999.

What support is available?

There is help and support available for anyone who has been a victim of exploitation. No-one is alone.  Please talk to police or contact the organisations below for advice, support and information.

National:

• Barnardo’s
  Children’s charity Barnardo’s supports children and families affected by issues such as sexual exploitation and domestic abuse.
• The Children’s Society
  The Children’s Society is a UK charity dedicated to supporting children and young people, especially those facing abuse, exploitation, and neglect, while campaigning for social change to improve their well-being.
• CEOP Education
  A website for children and young people. Gives honest and frank advice on topics including sex and relationships, and the internet.
• CEOP safety centre
  If someone has acted inappropriately online towards you, a child or young person, or someone you know, find out what to do and how to report it to police by visiting the CEOP safety centre.
• Internet Watch Foundation
  Helping child victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation by hunting down and removing any online record of the abuse.
• iVision Trust (formerly PACE)
  Offering support for families affected by criminal or sexual exploitation.
• NSPCC
  The NSPCC provide a wide range of services for both children and adults, including national helplines for 24/7 help and advice.
• Report Remove
  Report Remove is a tool designed to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report and remove intimate images or videos of themselves that have been shared online without consent
• Stop & Prevent Adolescent Criminal Exploitation (SPACE)
  SPACE was founded in response to the national issue of exploited children through the county lines network. They aim to raise awareness and provide advice and consultancy services.
• The Survivor Pathway
  The Survivor Pathway is a guide for anyone wanting to know more about specialist sexual violence services. Anyone who has experienced rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse needs to be involved in decisions about what happens next, be informed enough to make their own choices and have control over their journey.
• Young Victims Services
  This is a service for young people from 8-18 (up to 25 for those with additional needs) who have been victims of crime or antisocial behaviour.