Report child sexual exploitation
Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power or status.
Young people may trust their abuser and do not understand they are being abused or may depend on their abuser and be too scared to tell anyone what is happening.
Signs of child sexual exploitation
- Becoming especially secretive, stop seeing their usual friends, have really 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
Child sexual exploitation online
When sexual exploitation happens online, young people may be persuaded or forced to:
- send or post sexually explicit images of themselves
- take part in sexual activities via a webcam or smartphone
- have sexual conversations by text or online
Report child sexual exploitation
Child in immediate danger
If you know or suspect a child is in immediate danger, you should dial 999 immediately.
Report child sexual exploitation
If you suspect a child may be at risk, or have any information relating to child sexual exploitation , we would prefer to speak to you:
- online — fill in the report a crime or incident form
- by phone — call 101
- in person — visit a police station
Information about a suspected vulnerable or exploited person
If you are in a profession such as a teacher or social worker, you may be exposed to certain situations which you feel the police should be aware of concerning vulnerable people.
If you believe a child or adult is vulnerable or being exploited, you can use this form to provide information to the police.
Support for victims of Child Sexual Exploitation
Read our guidance for victims of child sexual exploitation.