Child sexual exploitation (CSE)

What is child sexual exploitation?

Sexual exploitation is child abuse and, although they may not realise it, it puts the young victim at huge risk of damage to their physical, emotional and psychological health.

Definition

'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 (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. 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 technology'.

Many young people who are being abused do not realise they are at risk and will not call for help.  They may see themselves as willing participants when in fact their behaviour is anything but consenting. 

Darlington Safeguarding Partnership - CSE procedure and practice guidance

The practice guidance has been designed to assist practitioners in identifying Child Sexual Exploitation and outlines how they can support children and young people. 

CSE procedure and practice guidance [pdf document]

In order to identify children at risk of sexual exploitation or experiencing sexual exploitation, you should consider the risk factors outlined within the risk assessment form.

Child Exploitation Risk Assessment Information form [PDF Document]

If you have a concern for child at risk of CSE then follow DSP child Protection Procedures

Information sharing form

It is important, if you have any information no matter how small in relation to: suspected offenders; suspected vehicles; or locations of interest you must provide details.

You should record any detail on the Partnership Information Sharing form [word document] and submit to Durham Constabulary as a matter of urgency.

A guide on what is deemed to be intelligence and how it should be shared and recorded has also been provided to support completion of the Partnership Information Sharing Form.

Partnership Information/Intelligence Sharing Guide [Powerpoint]

Young victims can report anonymously online at www.fearless.org [external link]

Multi-Agency Exploitation Training

If you wish to improve your understanding of exploitation, county lines and online harm, Darlington Safeguarding Partnership provides a range of free training opportunities and e-learning modules which can be accessed below. 

Criminal Exploitation and County Lines - spotting the signs of criminal exploitation and recognising who is at risk, county lines and how to support victims (e-learning)

Child Criminal and Sexual Exploitation with Barnardo's  - understanding the different types of exploitation, signs and indicators, recognising who is at risk, how to raise concerns and make referrals (teams session)

Child Sexual Exploitation - level 1 & 2 - what child sexual exploitation is, how an offender may behave, identifying warning signs, the role of the internet and social media and risk assessment and intervention

Online safety - Risks to children - what the risks are, damaging content and behaviours 
and online abuse and exploitation

The DSP offers Child Exploitation training co-delivered by Barnardo's and provides an overview of the different forms of exploitation, including criminal and exploitation.  Visit the our training page for more information.

Additional tools, resources and signposting is available:

Darlington Xtra Toolkit

Child Criminal Exploitation [external link]

Barnardo's 

Barnardo's [external link]

Contextual Safeguarding Network

Contextual Safeguarding Network [external link]

GOV.UK

• Criminal Exploitation of children and vulnerable adults - County Lines Guidance [external link]
• Knife, gun and gang crime guidance [external link]

NSPCC

Child Sexual Exploitation [external link]

Home Office

Home Office Child Exploitation disruption toolkit [external link]

The Children's Society

Appropriate Language in Relation to Child Exploitation [pdf document] - guidance for professionals

Appropriate language: child sexual and/or criminal exploitation - guidance for professionals [PDF document]

NWG Network

The organisation is dedicated to combating child exploitation and trafficking, aims to educate, inform and prevent child exploitation

NWG [external link]

Making Language Matter - Attending to Language when working with children subject to or at risk of Exploitation - A Practice & Knowledge Briefing [pdf document]

Crimestoppers Fearless

Fearless enables young people to pass on information about crime 100% anonymously.

Access information and advice about crime and criminality [external link]

CEOP Safety Centre 

UK police agency that protects children from online sexual abuse and harmful communication - CEOP [external link]

Ivison Trust

Provides support, training and campaigning for parents and carers whose children have been sexually or criminally exploited.

Ivison Trust [external link]