Child Sexual Exploitation

What is CSE?

Child sexual exploitation is a type of sexual abuse in which children and young people are sexually exploited by others who have some sort of power over them, often in return for things such as accommodation, gifts and money.

Who can this happen to?
Anyone can be affected.

Children and Young people can be tricked into believing that they are in a loving and consensual relationship. This is a hidden crime where the child/young person doesn’t often realise that they are being abused.

The abuse can start or happen online.

Who commits these crimes?
Research in to CSE shows that people of any age, any gender and any ethnicity are perpetrators of this abuse.

Perpetrators of sexual exploitation can sometimes use other children and young people to gain access to others for example your family and friends.

Children and young people can be exploited or recruited for exploitation by others the same or a similar age.

What are the signs it could be happening?
The signs of exploitation may be difficult to spot however could include a child or young person:

going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late
skipping school or being disruptive in class
appearing with unexplained gifts or possessions that can’t be accounted for
experiencing health problems that may indicate a sexually transmitted infection
having mood swings and changes in temperament
using drugs and alcohol
displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviours, such as over familiarity with strangers, dressing in a sexualised manner or sending sexualised images by mobile phone (‘sexting’)
they may also show signs of unexplained physical harm such as bruising and cigarette marks

Where can I get help?
If you are worried about you or someone else being exploited it is important to talk to an adult that you trust about what is happening. If you think someone is in immediate danger, call the police for help.
There are also lots of great sources of information available on the internet.
http://www.barnardos.org.uk/get_involved/campaign/cse/spotthesigns.htm

http://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation/what-is-child-sexual-exploitation/

If you want to talk to someone:
There is a local helpline for people in Rotherham, contact 0800 7319256 or rotherhamcsesupport@NSPCC.org.uk

Contact childline on 0800 1111.

South Yorkshire SARC has someone on call 24/7 who you can talk to get confidential advice, call the SARC number on 01709 427327.