CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION (CSE)

CSE is a form of child sexual abuse and occurs where an individual or group take advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity in exchange for something the victim needs or wants and/or for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator.

Latest statistics show that children more at risk are:

• younger children (as young as 10 years old)

• Clean skins (young people with no previous record or who are not known to the police) Clean skins is a common term used by perpetrators/gangs

Many young people that are groomed are made to feel special by buying gifts and giving them lots of attention.  Any child or young person can be affected but there are some situations that make the victim more vulnerable to exploitation, for example if they are unable to communicate effectively or if they are isolated from peers/family members.

 

WHAT PARENTS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR

• Unexplained gifts or new possessions

• Older boyfriends/girlfriends

• Children displaying sexualised behaviour

• Changes in emotional wellbeing/mood swings

• Drugs and alcohol being consumed

• Going missing from home or coming home late

The child or young person may think their abuser is their friend or even their boyfriend/girlfriend but the abuser will put them into dangerous situations forcing them to do things they don’t want to do. 

The perpetrator will control and manipulate the victim and try to isolate them from friends and family. Even making threats against family and their victims.

 

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