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Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a form of child sexual abuse. It can take many different forms. It can include contact or non-contact activities and can take place online or in person, or a combination of each. Any child or young person can be sexually exploited, regardless of their background; both boys and girls can be abused in this way.

Often children are groomed into sexually exploitative relationships and may initially think their abuser is their 'boyfriend' or 'girlfriend'. Some children are engaged in informal economies that incorporate the exchange of sex for rewards such as drugs, alcohol, money or gifts. Others may have been bullied and threatened into sexual activities by peers or gangs which is then used against them as a form of extortion and to keep them compliant.

A child may have been sexually exploited before they became looked after; others may become targets of perpetrators when they are living with you. Child sexual exploitation is NEVER the child's fault - even if there is some sort of exchange - all children under the age of 18 have a right to be safe and protected from harm.  It is not prostitution, or a ‘lifestyle choice’ even if the young person appears to be consenting or is over the legal age of sexual consent.

Any child or young person may be at risk of sexual exploitation, regardless of their family background or other circumstances, but children who are Looked After are at increased risk.

Like other forms of abuse and exploitation, sexual exploitation:

  • Can affect any child or young person (male or female) under the age of 18 years;
  • Can still be exploitation even if the activity appears consensual;
  • Can involve force and/or enticement-based methods of compliance (i.e. the receipt by the child of money/drugs or other goods) and can be accompanied by violence or threats of violence;
  • Conversely, can involve significant grooming with abusers being very attentive, lavishing gifts and compliments so that the child is less alert or conflicted about the abuse
  • Can be perpetrated by individuals or groups, males or females, and young people or adults; and
  • Is typified by some form of power imbalance in favour of those perpetrating the exploitation. Whilst age may be the most obvious, this power imbalance can also be due to a range of other factors including gender, cognitive ability, physical strength, status, and access to economic or other resources.

Perpetrators are known to target vulnerable children and adults; some of the factors that heighten vulnerability include:

  • Having prior experience of neglect, emotional, physical and/or sexual abuse;
  • Being in care;
  • Social isolation or social difficulties;
  • Connections with other people involved in sexual or criminal exploitation;
  • Having a physical disability or learning disability;
  • Having mental health or substance misuse issues;
  • Being excluded from mainstream education, in particular attending a Pupil Referral Unit. It is important when schools are considering exclusions, they also consider the safeguarding risks to the child.

As a foster carer you are in a good position to notice the changes in behaviour and physical signs which can indicate involvement in sexual exploitation. To keep children safe and prevent serious harm it is important to try and identify children at risk of harm from sexual exploitation at the earliest opportunity.

Any child can be at risk of sexual exploitation but Looked After Children can be more vulnerable to exploitation. The individual needs and particular characteristics of the child such as ethnicity, culture, gender identity and sexuality, are particularly significant where child sexual exploitation is present. A risk assessment should be in place and consider all of these factors, how these risks work together and what can be put in place to protect the child.

It can be difficult for children to tell their carers that they are being sexually exploited; initially they may not recognise that they are being abused. Once they are being sexually exploited, threats from their abusers or feeling that may be in some way to blame for their own abuse can make it difficult for young people to ask for help.

The key signs that a child or young person is being sexually exploited are:

  • Unexplained money or gifts;
  • Going missing (for short and long periods), or during the course of the school day;
  • Being distressed or withdrawn on their return home;
  • Secrecy around new friends or intimate relationships;
  • Having additional mobile phones, or worrying use of the internet;
  • Sexual health problems, including infections and/or pregnancy;
  • Changes in behaviour / emotional wellbeing;
  • Drug or alcohol misuse;
  • Secretive behaviour;
  • Involvement in criminal activity;
  • Unexplained physical injuries.

You should record details of any concerns you have - as this can help identify patterns of behaviour, including potential perpetrators and other children who may be at risk. Concerns should be shared with the child's allocated social worker or the Children's Social Care Emergency Duty Team (if outside of working hours). If you have concerns that a child is in immediate danger, always ring 999.

When concerns about child sexual exploitation have been identified before the child comes to live with you, their Placement Plan should contain details of the day-to-day arrangements which have been agreed between you as foster carers and the placing authority / Fostering Service to keep the child safe.

If you have concerns that a child is being sexually exploited or is at risk of being exploited, you should always share these with the child's allocated social worker and your supervising social worker or a manager from the Fostering Service so that action can be taken to help safeguard the child. Sexual exploitation of a child who is in foster care is considered a 'significant event' and must be reported to Ofsted by the Fostering Service.

Specific multi-agency risk or safety planning meetings may be held to agree how to keep the child and the foster household safe, and what activity will take place to disrupt the activity of adults exploiting the child.

Remember if you have concerns that a child is in immediate danger, always ring 999.

  • Building positive relationships with children in your care is vital, both to preventing and  identifying sexual exploitation and supporting children through their experiences:
    • You should be supportive, non-judgemental and ready to listen to children when and if they need to talk;
    • Always look beyond challenging behaviour; if children are aggressive, secretive or going missing ask yourself what might be going on in their lives?
    • Share information - When children go missing, this should be reported promptly to the police and the child's social worker so they can take action to locate them and return them to safety;
    • Whenever children who have been missing return to your home, they should be made welcome and offered care and support.  Independent Return Interviews should be offered in line with the Missing Children Procedure by the local Authority or by another professional
    • Building good links with the child's education providers will help to ensure that you are notified promptly if a child does not arrive at their education establishment so protective action can be taken.

Caring for a child who is being sexually exploited can be a stressful and upsetting experience, and you should seek support from your supervising social worker, local foster carer support groups and the child's allocated social worker.

Sharing intelligence and information is crucial to preventing sexual exploitation. It is only by sharing data that agencies can develop an understanding of the prevalence, nature and scale of exploitation and individuals and networks involved.

An early, coordinated response to any child who has been sexually exploited is really important for the child, and other children linked to them - including other children living in the foster home.  Foster carers can report any intelligence or information via 101 or Crimestoppers

A significant number of children and young people who are being sexually exploited may go missing from your home, or their school / education provider. Some go missing frequently, and the more often they go missing, they are more vulnerable they are to being sexually exploited.

If a child in your care goes missing, you should follow the guidance contained in Missing Children Procedure.

There is training available so that you know how to prevent, recognise and support a child who is being sexual exploited. As a foster carer you should receive effective support from  all partner agencies (children’s social care, education and the police) to try and disrupt the abuse as well as ensuring the child is supported and not criminalised. See Training and Development Procedure.

Last Updated: October 31, 2022

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