Most children and young people live happy and safe lives and are rarely exploited by someone, however, a small amount of children and young people can find themselves in situations where someone tries to exploit them and make them do things they don’t want to.

The exploitation of children and young people can happen in a variety of different ways and by a variety of people. They could be at risk from child abusers, both young and old, who may use the internet, mobile phones or personal contact to build up trust with children. In extreme cases, children and young people may be at risk of being exploited through involvement in prostitution (either by being manipulated or forced). They may be exploited through work and made or expected to work long hours for little money, which can have a devastating effect on their education and chances in life.

What is Sexual Exploitation?

Sometimes children and especially young people, are at risk of exploitation by people who want to use and abuse them for their own ends. This usually means targeting vulnerable children, gaining their trust, and before they know it using violence and intimidation to achieve their goals. That is, to profit out of abuse.

It is important to remember that at no point do children or young people become involved in prostitution out of their own choice. They have been exploited by people who have conned then, manipulated them and forced them into sexual behaviour that they wouldn’t otherwise have done.

There is a variety of different ways in which young people are at risk of someone trying to exploit and use them for sex. They are not always violent or abusive and use all sorts of ways to gain trust, build up friendships and make young people think that they are in control.

• They could be older boyfriends, older man or even women and other girls might be involved. Manipulating children and young people and making them do things of a sexual nature with other people.
• Sometimes, abuse can happen within the family, and family members or relatives may force their own children into prostitution, by offering ‘sexual services’ to other people in exchange for money or favours.
• People may deliberately target vulnerable young people who have run away from home or use drugs and/or alcohol, and try to manipulate and use them for ‘sexual favours’, luring them into a world of prostitution.
• At the start people might seam nice, giving children presents, money, a place to stay or drugs and alcohol, making them think that they are in control.
• Most of them, at some point, use emotional blackmail, coercion (bullying), force, violence, intimidation and lie and cheat to get what they want. 
• They might try to build up trust and friendship with a child and work to isolate and cut them off from friends and family.

"He was really nice at the start. I was so happy that someone was paying me attention. Buying me presents and drinks. I started sleeping with him, to show how grateful I was. It took a while but then he started to force me to have sex with others. Before I knew it he had complete control and I felt trapped and couldn’t get away. It took me ages to realise what he was up to and that I never had any control."

Sexual exploitation at some point involves rape and sexual assault, forcing young people to do things which they don’t want to. This can be very traumatic and can lead young people to believe that they are all alone with no one to turn to for help and support.

What parents and carers can do

Children and young people need to know that there is always someone they can turn to and speak to about any worries or concerns they might have. This could be someone they trust like a friend, family member, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker, school nurse, Youth Advice Centre or Young People’s Centre (See the ‘Services Map’ for more information).

There is nothing so awful that children can’t speak to someone about. Not telling anyone makes them more vulnerable and increases the chance of something else happening to them.

Often people use threats and violence to stop young people from getting help, advice or telling someone about what is going on. In most cases this is an idea they want to create in young people’s minds because it gives them power and control.

• By talking to someone and getting support children and young people can look at different ways of getting help and stopping what is going on.
• Nothing has to happen straight away, only when it is safe.
• It is important that anyone who finds themselves caught in a situation that they can’t seam to get out of keep themselves as safe as possible.

The relationship you have with your child is the best way you have of preventing your child being at risk of someone praying on them and grooming them. Having good communication and respect for one another will ensure that you always talk to your child, that they will always talk to you and that you will have a friendly trusting relationship with them. That way they are more likely to listen to any concerns you have, talk to you about any problems they may have and how they feel and will be more likely to come to you when they need help or feel vulnerable.

For more information which can help see the ‘Child Protection’ section or ‘Rape and Sexual Assault’, ‘Independence & Growing up’, ‘Internet Safety’, ‘Sexual Health’ pages on this website. Parents and carers can also check out the links below to specific and specialist websites which can provide more advice and help regarding exploitation.

The ‘Dodgy Town’ map also includes information about sexual exploitation.

Remember

• If you are worried about the sexual behaviour of a child or the behaviour of someone towards a child or young person then you should always talk to someone you trust as soon as you can. This could be a friend, family member, professional, service, helpline or website.
• It can take someone a long time to recognise when someone is exploiting them and using them for what they want. Children should never blame themselves, but should always talk to someone as soon as they can. It isn’t their fault!
• If a child or young person feels that they are in danger they should always phone 999 and ask for the Police. They will do all they can to help and protect them and stop what is going on.

Links

www.faceup2it.org

Face (Fight Against Child Exploitation) is a great website designed by young people to raise awareness of sexual exploitation. The website offers a range of advice and information and aims to raise awareness of the issues with young people and adults.

www.thinkuknow.co.uk/

The think you know website helps young people and families to understand some of the risks linked with the new technology that young people love to use, update them on some of the risks they may come into contact with and empower young people to get involved in helping themselves be safe. The website also has a reporting function which allows users to report abuse and potential abuse online.

www.stopitnow.org.uk/

The stop it now website provides lots of information about sexual abuse, provides help and information and has a number of other links and contacts which can help.

www.donthideit.com/

Don’t hide it is a simple and good website about sexual abuse developed by the NSPCC. It provides information in a clear and simple way and gives advice and information about what children and young people can do and who they can turn to for help and support.

www.worriedneed2talk.org.uk/

This website by the NSPCC provides information, advice and provides an opportunity to get help and support about a range of issues.

www.supportline.org.uk/

Supportline offer confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. They work with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies, an inner feeling of strength and increased self esteem to encourage healing, recovery and moving forward with life. They also keep details of counsellors, agencies and support groups throughout the UK.

www.thehideout.org.uk/

The Hideout supports children and young people living with domestic violence, or to those who may want to help a friend.

www.swish.org.uk/

The SWiSH website has been developed in Brighton & Hove to provide young people and adults with advice and information about sexual health, what services can help, links to other websites and lots more.

www.respect4us.org.uk/

The respect for us website is designed for young people and explains more about crime, respect and life style choices.