Sexual exploitation, or using and abusing young people for sex, can be a difficult experience to deal with, and many young people who find themselves in these sorts of situations can easily think that nothing can be done. But that isn’t true. 

What is Sexual Exploitation?

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 they 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. 
• At the start they might seam like nice people, giving presents, money, a place to stay or drugs and alcohol, making young people 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 and work to isolate and cut young people off from friends and family. 
• But all they want to do is use and hurt young people for their own ends.

"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 you can do

If you are or have experienced any form of abuse or exploitation you are never alone. There is always someone you can turn to and speak to about it, someone you trust like a friend, family member, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker etc. There is nothing so awful that you can’t speak to someone about. Not telling anyone makes you more vulnerable and increase the chance of something else happening to you.

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 you 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.

For more information which can help see the ‘Relationship Abuse’, ‘Relationships’ and ‘Rape and Sexual Assault’, ‘Help & Advice’ or ‘Homelessness’ pages on this website. You can also check out the links below to specific and specialist websites which can give you more advice and help about what you can do. You are never alone.

The ‘Dodgy Town’ map also includes a scenario about sexual exploitation that focuses on one of the ways in which it can happen.

Remember

• If you are worried about the sexual behaviour of anyone towards you then you should always talk to someone you trust as soon as you can. This could be a friend, teacher, Connexions PA, youth worker or contact the Youth Advice Centre or Young People’s Centre for information and support about sexual health and relationships (See the ‘Services Map’ for more information).
• It can take some time to recognise when someone is exploiting you and using you for what they want, and not caring about what you want. Never blame yourself, but always talk to someone as soon as you can. It isn’t your fault!
• If you feel you are in danger always phone 999 and ask for the Police. They will do all they can to help and protect you and stop what is going on.

Other places which can help

Stop it Now! Freephone Helpline, Tel: 0808 1000 900

Childline, Tel: 0800 1111

NSPCC Child Protection Helpline, Tel: 0808 800 5000

Supportline, Tel: 020 8554 9004

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 to understand some of the risks linked with the new technology that young people love to use, update young people 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 gives you information in a clear and simple way and gives you advice and information about what you can do and who you 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 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.