Child Sexual Exploitation
Definition of Child Sexual Exploitation
"If You Can’t Rule It Out, Rule It In"
Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) is a form of sexual abuse and can also be referred to as ‘grooming’ (when an abusive adult befriends a child or young person for the purpose of sexual exploitation) or ‘trafficking’ (the movement of children/young people between premises and locations for the purpose of sexual exploitation), depending on the nature of the exploitation.
CSE affects thousands of children and young people (both boys/girls and young men/women) every year in the UK and we know that it is happening here in Solihull.
This type of sexual abuse involves the grooming of a child or young person by an abusive adult, who manipulates and coerces them to have sex or perform sexual acts, often in exchange for gifts or affection. The abusive adult may also use other young people to ‘recruit’ for their abuse.
- The abusive adult is manipulative and controlling; a young person can fully believe and truly feel that this person is a friend who genuinely cares for them.
- The young person can become highly dependent on the abusive adult, who actively seeks to isolate them from friends and family members.
- This can appear like a consensual relationship to the young person. However, young people cannot consent to their own abuse. They are being taken advantage of and sexually exploited, often through the use of threats of violence.
By raising awareness of this abuse, professionals can act quickly together to keep children and young people safe.
For this purpose, we have included information on:
- Warning Signs – signs that might alert you to think that abuse may/or has taken place
- Risk Assessment Framework
- Flowchart - to support you in what to do next
Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Board provides the following definition in their procedure, Safeguarding Children and Young People from Sexual Exploitation adopted from statutory guidance:
"Sexual exploitation of children and young people under 18 involves exploitative situations, contexts and relationships where young people (or a third person or persons) receive ‘something’ (eg. food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts, money) as a result of them performing, and/or another or others performing on them, sexual activities. Child sexual exploitation can occur through the use of technology without the child’s immediate recognition; for example, being persuaded to post sexual images on the internet/mobile phones without immediate payment or gain. In all cases, those exploiting the child/young person have power over them by virtue of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength and/or economic or other resources. Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, involvement in exploitative relationships being characterised in the main by the child or young person’s limited availability of choice resulting from their social/economic and/or emotional vulnerability."
If you would like to discuss any concerns you may have about a child or young person; or would like some advice or to talk through a case, you can call Deborah Harvey, LSCB Lead Professional CSE on 0121 788 4478. Deborah can also be contacted via email at dharvey@solihull.gov.uk Please remember that if you have some concerns, when it comes to CSE, "If You Can’t Rule It Out, Rule It In"
Free training, consisting of a one hour briefing session on Child Sexual Exploitation, is available by contacting Deborah Harvey through the above telephone number or email.
