Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse.
It happens when a child or young person is coerced, manipulated or deceived into sexual activity in exchange for things that they may need or want like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. While exploitation may involve grooming, coercion, manipulation or the exchange of something for sexual activity, it is always abuse. That's why it's important to recognise the signs and call it what it is.
Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship so the sexual activity may appear consensual. This is called grooming and is a type of abuse. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused. CSE does not always involve physical contact, and can also occur through the use of technology.
Children are never to blame for their own exploitation. Child sexual exploitation can happen to any child.
What is exploitation?
Exploitation is taking advantage of someone for your own benefit. The exploited person may feel they are consenting to this, but in fact there is a power imbalance and they are being manipulated, coerced or controlled.
It can be perpetrated by a single individual or by a group. Sometimes young people are exploited by other young people of a similar age but often the exploiter is older than the child.
Parents and carers
Finding out that your child or a child you know is being or has been exploited is distressing. As a parent or carer you might find yourself in shock or in denial. You may feel angry, embarrassed, guilty or depressed.
Adults around the child may blame themselves and feel they didn’t do enough to protect them. They may feel angry with the child for ‘allowing’ this to happen.
It's important to recognise that although the age of consent is 16 years old, children and young people over 16 can be exploited. Child sexual exploitation is a very complex form of abuse. It can be difficult for parents and carers to understand and hard for the young person to acknowledge that they are being exploited.
Challenges identifying child sexual exploitation
CSE can be difficult to identify. Children may not recognise what is happening. They may believe the exploiter is a friend who cares about them and looks after them.
Exploiters are adopting increasingly sophisticated techniques to ‘groom’ their victims. The techniques may include creating situations or relationships in which a person under 18 is given something, such as food, accommodation, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, affection, gifts or money in return for performing sexual activities or having sexual activities performed on them. It can also involve violence, coercion and intimidation, with threats of physical harm or humiliation.
How grooming happens
Grooming is often a gradual process used to gain a child’s trust and exploit them. It can happen in person or online.
- Target - building trust
A groomer will take an interest in a child, offering compliments, attention and support. They may learn about the child’s interests, needs and vulnerabilities to build a connection.
- Befriending - making the child feel special
The groomer increases contact, giving attention, gifts or reassurance. They may encourage the child to keep secrets and gradually distance themselves from family and friends.
- Hooking in - creating dependence
The relationship becomes stronger, and the child may come to rely on the groomer for support, protection or a sense of belonging. The groomer may begin testing boundaries and making harmful behaviour seem normal.
- Taking control
The groomer uses manipulation, threats, intimidation or other forms of control to exploit the child. The child may feel frightened, isolated, ashamed or trapped, making it difficult to seek help.
- Social media
Social media and online platforms make it easier for groomers to contact children and young people. Some are groomed entirely online and may never meet the person face-to-face. Because grooming can happen gradually and feel like a genuine friendship, many young people do not realise they are being exploited or may not recognise themselves as victims.
Vulnerability
Children and young people are especially easy to control and exploit simply because of their age. They often have less power, less confidence, less understanding and less experience of life than adults. This means exploitation can happen to any child. However, certain factors can make children more vulnerable at times. It may be that they are having a tough time due to life events or their personal circumstances. They may have poor mental health. They may have special educational needs or a medical diagnosis. They may be questioning their identity.
Many perpetrators are skilled at identifying and targeting vulnerabilities and isolating children from protective, positive influences.
Common patterns
In all cases of CSE, the person exploiting the child or young person is able to create the impression of authority over them in some form. This could be because of their age, gender, intellect, physical strength or economic situation.
Sexual exploitation of children can start through the use of technology, without them immediately realising. For example, they might be persuaded to post images on the internet or via mobile phone without immediate payment or personal gain.
Violence, coercion and intimidation are common, with a particular vulnerability of the child or young person being used against them. This can make the young person feel as though they have no choice but to continue the relationship.
Warning signs
Signs of a child or young person being in an exploitative relationship can vary. Some examples are:
What to do
If you are worried about a child or young person, trust your instincts and seek advice or support as soon as possible.
If you suspect a person of carrying out child sexual exploitation, or think someone you know has been a victim, or may be soon, visit Merseyside Police's how to report possible child abuse page or call our non-emergency number, 101. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service on 18001 101.
If someone is in immediate danger of harm, please call 999 now. If you have a hearing or speech impairment, use our textphone service 18000 or text us on 999 if you’ve pre-registered with the emergencySMS service.
Get support
As part of her Victim Care Merseyside service, the PCC commissions social enterprise Catch 22, to work with young people under 18-years-old affected by child sexual abuse providing them with on-going support to aid their recovery and help turn their lives around on a short and long term basis
The service responds to and fully supports young people who are currently involved in child sexual exploitation (CSE) and offers long-term support for young people affected to help them to recover and reduce any further risk.