Child Exploitation
Sometimes, people might want to take advantage of you and ask you to do sexual things and you might find yourself in dangerous situations without even realising it… this is called child sexual exploitation (CSE) and it’s not okay for this to happen to a young person. They could also ask you to take part in criminal activities, for example by asking you to to carry drugs for them… this is called child criminal exploitation (CCE). It is abuse and young people have the right to be safe from it.
How does CSE happen?
At first, a young person may like, respect, or even think they are falling in love with the person exploiting them. This is because they are ‘groomed’ over time. This process involves making them feel ‘special’, so they become attached. But later, the behaviour of the abuser starts to change, often slowly. By this point, the young person is likely to feel trapped, isolated and scared, and they may find it difficult to acknowledge that they are no longer comfortable in the relationship.
How does CCE happen?
You might become friends with a new group or someone a bit older than you. They will seem great and offer you to be involved with things they are doing. They might give you money or drugs and eventually ask you to do things for them. Look after drugs or money, ask you to open an account they can put some money into to keep it safe, ask you to sell drugs to other young people for them, or get you involved with stealing. You end up feeling trapped and unable to get out of any arrangements, and no longer feel comfortable with what is being asked or are frightened by their threats, but don’t know how to get help.
Key messages
Here are some of the messages from local young people who have been exploited:
• Don’t hang around with people who you aren’t willing to take home
• Keep safe online: don’t share personal information or meet up with anyone you’ve met online
• Speak to teachers or someone you trust
• If you feel someone is not safe, tell someone – you are almost certainly right
• Look out for your friends – many young people who are being abused think they’re in a normal ‘loving’ relationship and will not ask for help.
If you’re worried about you or a friend, talk to someone you trust (like a teacher or a youth worker) or call the council on 01454 866000 or the Police on 101 to talk things through. If you’re in immediate danger, dial 999 straight away.
Childline – How do I know if I am being groomed?
NSPCC – The story of Jay
Kayleigh’s Love Story
A film produced by Leicestershire Police to warn children and parents of the dangers of online grooming:
Stay switched on – Barnardos