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\u2026\u00a0 this is called child sexual exploitation (CSE) and it\u2019s 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).\u00a0 It is abuse and young people have the right to be safe from it.<\/b><\/p>\nHow does CSE happen?<\/h3>\n
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 \u2018groomed\u2019 over time. This process involves making them feel \u2018special\u2019, 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.<\/p>\n
You might become friends with a new group or someone a bit older than you.\u00a0 They will seem great and offer you to be involved with things they are doing.\u00a0 They might give you money or drugs and eventually ask you to do things for them.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
Here are some of the messages from local young people who have been exploited:<\/p>\n
\u2022\u00a0Don\u2019t hang around with people who you aren\u2019t willing to take home
\n\u2022\u00a0Keep safe online: don\u2019t share personal information or meet up with anyone you\u2019ve met online
\n\u2022\u00a0Speak to teachers or someone you trust
\n\u2022\u00a0If you feel someone is not safe, tell someone \u2013 you are almost certainly right
\n\u2022\u00a0Look out for your friends \u2013 many young people who are being abused think they\u2019re in a normal \u2018loving\u2019 relationship and will not ask for help.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re 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\u2019re in immediate danger, dial 999 straight away.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Childline – How do I know if I am being groomed?<\/strong><\/p>\n Lucy Fallon who plays Bethany Platt in Coronation Street and Childline Counsellor, Helen, chat about grooming.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/h3>\n