Child sexual exploitation or “CSE” 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. 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 using technology such as through phones, tablets, social media and gaming apps. It’s important that people recognise that exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse and should be seen as such.
Child sexual exploitation can include but is not limited to:
Child sexual exploitation often includes actual violence or the threat of violence towards the child or their family which may prevent the child from disclosing the abuse, or exiting the cycle of exploitation. It is important to remember that on some occasions as a result of grooming, the child may not perceive any abuse at all.
Criminal exploitation is when an individual or a group manipulates, deceives, coerces or controls someone under the age of 18 to take part in any activity which breaks the law. All children are at risk of criminal exploitation, including girls.
County Lines is term that people may be familial with and this represents one form of criminal exploitation. It is when people involved in criminal activity identify, target and befriend children, either online or offline, and manipulate them into dealing drugs or other activities across geographical areas.
Criminal exploitation can take many forms, from making children hold, hide or deliver drugs, money or weapons, to forcing children to steal, harm others or beg. Children can also be exploited in other ways, such as through sexual exploitation. Sometimes a child can be exploited criminally and sexually at the same time.
West Yorkshire Police – Intelligence Submission Partnership Portal
Background:
The PIP is designed to offer a simple internet based portal that allows partners the opportunity to submit information to a central police triage team. It is for information about criminality that you people would be of interest to West Yorkshire Police and feeds into a police intelligence process. The portal is set up to enable the sharing of informaiton that is routinely gathered and it is not designed to replace any current referral mechanisms in place. Referrals must continue to be made as per agreed service level agreements.
Contact details:
Intelligence Management Unit.
Email – XC.PIPaccess@westyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
To request access:
https://www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/intelligence-portal-request-form
Proposed process:
Access to the partnership portal:
How it works:
Access to a unique URL will be given to each partner organisation that signs up to using the portal.
That URL provides access to the portal; this access can be shared within an organisation to whoever you feel it most appropriate.
There will be one shared log on, one shared password per organisation – this is to manage a simple administration process for both partner and the police.
DfE – What To Do If You Suspect A Child Is Being Sexually Exploited. DfE: A Step by Step Guide for Frontline Practitioners. This step-by-step guide complements, and should be read in conjunction with, the Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation1 statutory guidance published in 2009. It is intended for frontline practitioners in the statutory and voluntary and community sectors (VCS). It outlines the actions they should take, as a minimum, if they suspect that a child they are in contact with is being sexually exploited.
‘Say Something’: New Anonymous Service For Young People To Report Sexual Abuse
Say Something’ helpline: Call or Text 116000
#SaySomething
Facebook: /SaySomething
Twitter: @SaySomethingIf
Web: www.stop-cse.org/saysomething
NSPCC – three short animations which deal with subject of sexual exploitation.
Available on YouTube. The animations attempt to clarify the complex issues involved and offer starting points for discussion with young people who might be experiencing similar problems.
Source: YouTube: Jay
Further information:
When someone cares about you
Pace believes parents should be valued as key partners in safeguarding children from sexual exploitation.
Old enough To Know Better? Why sexually exploited older teenagers are being overlooked
Squaring
Have you been asked to put money in your bank account by a friend, or through someone you have met online?
They might have said you can keep some of the money, just for putting it into your account and then drawing or transferring it out again.
This is sometimes known as squaring, money laundering or being a money mule. It might sound harmless and an easy way to make a bit of cash, but it could actually be linked to serious crime and could have real consequences for you in the future.
Lessons Learned from Serious Case Reviews
The NSPCC has produced a summary of lessons from Serious Case Reviews where Child Sexual Exploitation is a factor
You might also be interested in?
Child Sexual Exploitation for Practitioners
Click on the link to register and book your place
Sexual Abuse: Dispelling Myths and Reducing Risks
Click on the link to register and book your place (when available)
Contextual Safeguarding and Complex Safeguarding
Click on the link to register and book your place
Online Safety
Click on the link to register and book your place
Young People and Substance Misuse
Click on the link to register and book your place
Safeguarding Skills for Managers
Click on the link to register and book your place
