Child sexual exploitation
Sexual exploitation is a horrific form of sexual abuse that affects thousands of children and young people every year in the UK. It can happen to any young person from any background and affects boys and young men as well as girls and young women.
Many victims of child sexual exploitation have been groomed by an abusing adult, who will befriend them and make them feel special by buying gifts or giving them lots of attention. Victims are targeted both in person and online.
Some young people - in particular those having difficulties at home, those truanting or excluded from school, those who regularly go missing from home or care, or those in care - may be more vulnerable to exploitation.
Volunteering opportunity
You may be aware that child sexual exploitation is a priority area of business for Solihull Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and as part of this work we want to ensure effective support is provided to the parents/carers of young people who are being sexually exploited
CROP is a national parent led organisation that can provide support to parents and this includes a befriending service. The service is really valued by parents/carers and recruitment for volunteer befrienders for Solihull is planned for March 2012. However, we have also kindly been offered 2-3 places on the next planned round of recruitment of volunteers in the West Midlands area with initial training taking place in September 2012.
More details are on the attached flyer an any volunteers from Solihull would be supporting Solihull families - although you will train with those who will support families in Telford, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Sandwell and Dudley.
Please take a look …it is an opportunity to support local parents and their children
Eastenders: Whitney’s story
The topic of child sexual exploitation was highlighted in 2011 by a special mini-episode of Eastenders.
The BBC also posted a behind-the-scenes clip showing how they researched this storyline, which formed part of their Red Nose Day 2011 special.
You can watch this clip online, where you can also find links to related help and information.
Information for parents/carers
A factsheet aimed at parents/carers explaining what child sexual exploitation is, how it can happen and what parents or carers can do to prevent child sexual exploitation or seek help if they are concerned about the safety of a child/young person can be downloaded from this page.
There are two leaflets available. The first leaflet provides information for parents and the second leaflet provides information for young people.
Information for People who work in the Service Sector
Barnardos have produced a leaflet for people who work in bars, hotels, restaurants, clubs and taxis showing what to look out for and how small steps can help protect young people. It highlights that young people could be ‘groomed’ into thinking they are in a relationship but then be abused.
Click here to read the leaflet and to learn how to spot concerns. If you are concerned about a child or young person please click here for details on how to report your concerns.
Guidance for Frontline Practitioners
In July 2012, the Government issued a new step-by-step guide on what frontline practitioners should do if they suspect a child is being sexually exploited. The guide is easy to read and complements LSCB procedures on sexual exploitation and should be read in conjunction with, the Safeguarding children and young people from sexual exploitation statutory guidance, published in 2009.
Guidance for Schools and other settings.
'My Dangerous Loverboy' is a gritty, hard-hitting DVD and resource pack, distributed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency and focussing upon child sexual exploitation and trafficking. It is based on real-life experiences. Guidance on how to use this DVD has been designed for Schools and other settings to use.
Publications
This leaflet is for professionals explaining the reasons why children are trafficked and outlining the support and services available from the NSPCC's National Child Trafficking Advice and Information Line (CTAIL). Includes a brief case study of 14-year-old Van, who was trafficked from South East Asia to the UK.
This leaflet is for social workers explaining why children are trafficked and offering advice on how to respond to child trafficking concerns.