Sexual Exploitation
“I used to blame myself. How could I be so stupid to get into this! Now I know better. I was thirteen; he was twenty. He said he loved me, but all along he knew exactly what he was doing.”
Warning Signs
Not going to school or staying away from home, unexplained money, clothes, jewellery or other gifts, new relationships with older men, evidence of drug or alcohol abuse, changes in mood or behaviour, loss of contact with former friends and new relationships with an older age group, lack of self-esteem.
Action
Try to get your child to tell you about what’s happening, do not ignore your child or make them feel that they are to blame. Get in touch with information and support agencies that can help you and your child.
What to say
Make sure that your child knows that you are there to help them, no matter what has happened. Let them know that they shouldn’t feel ashamed, that they are victims of abuse and that you understand how difficult it must be for them.
Prevention
Offer a positive and supportive home life. Watch out for low self esteem and other warning signs. Get information and support from local agencies if you feel your child may be at risk.
The facts
- Sexual Exploitation is a form of child abuse
- Children can be drawn into sexual exploitation by manipulative adults who wish to make money
- Adults who abuse children should be held responsible, rather than blaming the children
- Children who are sexual exploited face devastating physical, emotional and psychological risks
- It is never too early or too late to get help
Drawn into child abuse
It may be hard to imagine how any child could be drawn into exchanging sex for attention, affection, shelter, food or money.
The sad fact is that those adults who benefit from child sexual exploitation use clever methods to catch their victims, and keep them. It can begin with an ‘exciting’ new friendship with an older boyfriend who may in fact be, or become an exploiter. The child may receive expensive gifts and be given alcohol or drugs.
Before long the pimp creates a loyal and dependent relationship with the victim and can then get them to make money for him by giving sexual services. This is not a business relationship, it against the law and a form of sexual abuse, which puts the child at risk from severe physical, emotional and psychological damage.
The damage
Sexually exploited children can become victims of serious physical and sexual attacks, which can sometimes lead to death. They can easily become addicted to drugs and alcohol and face a high risk of catching sexually transmitted infections. The emotional and psychological damage can be huge and can lead to self-harm, severe depression and even suicide.
How to spot it
There are some warning signs detailed on the opposite page that could show that your child is at risk from or is being sexually exploited. If all or even some of them apply to your child, you should seriously think that they might be at risk. All children are at risk from harm.
How to stop it
Keeping or getting children out of child sexual exploitation can need specialist help. A close and positive relationship with your child can reduce their vulnerability. Making sure that they have high self-esteem and feel good about themselves can stop them falling into abusive relationships. However, even with the best parents in the world, some children will find themselves open to this form of abuse. Parents can often feel powerless to stop what can be a difficult and dangerous situation.
There are agencies (some detailed below) who work with families to help stop child sexual exploitation. If you feel your child is at risk, they can provide information and support for you and your child to help stop dangerous relationships. If your child is involved in sexual exploitation they will work with you and your child to form a plan and package of support to make sure that they are no longer left open to those who wish to take advantage of them. It is never too early or too late to get help.
Contacts
- Barnardos 020 8551 0011
- NSPCC 0808 800 5000
- Save the Children (National) 020 7012 6400
- Samaritans (National) 08457 90 90 90
- CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency) 0870 000 3344
Weblinks
- www.barnardos.org.uk (Barnardos)
- www.barnardos.org.uk/peepulfamilycentre.htm (Barnardos Peepul Family Resource Centre)
- www.barnardos.org.uk/heshimafamilycentre.htm (Barnardos Heshima Family Support Centre)
- www.nspcc.org.uk (NSPCC)
- www.savethechildren.org.uk (Save the Children)
- www.samaritans.org (Samaritans)
- www.stopitnow.org.uk
- www.ceop.police.uk (Child Exploitation and Online Protection Agency)
- www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/Specialist+Units/crime/sid/caiu (Child Abuse Investigation Unit)
